My CFI has BAD Breath

Captain

Captain

Final Approach
Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
8,004
Location
NOYB
Display Name
First Officer
Home Airfield
NOYB
I did my PPL quite awhile ago. I really liked my CFI. Super nice guy and very knowledgable. But he had SUPER bad breath. We were in a C-150 and I swear to God it was VERY distracting.

What should a student do? I tried to offer gum every preflight, but he always declined. Should I have just told him?

As an ATP now I'm way past this dilemma, but I've always wondered if there could have been a solution...
 
Dealing with bad breath is an awkward situation. Usually a few tries with offering gum or mints subtly gets the point across. After that, it gets a little hairy. I'm of the opinion that it's okay to tell someone their breath stinks and they need a mint. For instance, if I have smelly breath and kept walking around talking to people and spreading my stink, I would be upset if nobody told me. Especially if everyone was looking at me weird or ending conversations early.
 
You could wear a gas mask and tell him you're being prepared in case of a biological attack. Mumble something about hitler, whatever. Of course you will probably get your medical revoked if word gets around.

Someone needs to invent an air freshener that inserts in your nose. No need to freshen all the air around you, that's a waste. Just what comes in the nose, thanks.
 
You: Would you like a piece of gum?
CFI: No Thank you
You: Please!
CFI: No, I wear dentures and can't chew gum.
You: Ok, but next time may I bring some Tic-tacs or mouthwash?
 
Reach into flight bag:

Step #
1) Offer gum;

CFI- "no thank you"

2) Offer Tic-Tac

CFI- "no thank you"

3) Offer large bottle of Listerine

CFI- "Are you trying to tell me something?"

Student- "Yes, use this, or find us a Waco for this lesson."
 
I guess I was blessed- no halitosis, no BO, and no overwhelming cologne. Any of the above would be torture in a 150.
I think I'd be very straight-up about it, though... "no offense, but this cabin is too small for me, you, and your breath." :D
 
rottydaddy said:
I guess I was blessed- no halitosis, no BO, and no overwhelming cologne. Any of the above would be torture in a 150.
I think I'd be very straight-up about it, though... "no offense, but this cabin is too small for me, you, and your breath." :D
Click to expand...

I have a bad sense of smell (horrible really). So nobody I've met has had bad breath. Ever. Lucky me (oh and even two dollar wine tastes fine).
 
This is also a super big pet peeve of mine. I haven't found a good solution (to answer your question) but as a CFI I am constantly aware that I hated flying with folks that had bad breath and as such, pop a breath mint in before I go fly. One of the DPE's around here brushes his teeth before he gives a checkride. :thumbsup:
 
I just interviewed a guy and you could smell his breath from across a conference table. Unfortunately, he had some hard to find skill sets, so I offered him the job, but told him he had to clean up his breath. Not a fun conversation, but he seemed to handle it well. I suppose this is a similar situation. You could find a new CFI, be blunt with him about the problem or just put up with it. In my case, it was a customer facing position, so putting up with it wasn't an option.
 
Captain said:
I did my PPL quite awhile ago. I really liked my CFI. Super nice guy and very knowledgable. But he had SUPER bad breath. We were in a C-150 and I swear to God it was VERY distracting.

What should a student do? I tried to offer gum every preflight, but he always declined. Should I have just told him?

As an ATP now I'm way past this dilemma, but I've always wondered if there could have been a solution...
Click to expand...
Go read the chapter in Fate is the Hunter where Gann talks about the Captain lighting matches under his nose while he flew an approach.....and suck it up.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Captain said:
I did my PPL quite awhile ago. I really liked my CFI. Super nice guy and very knowledgable. But he had SUPER bad breath. We were in a C-150 and I swear to God it was VERY distracting.

What should a student do? I tried to offer gum every preflight, but he always declined. Should I have just told him?

As an ATP now I'm way past this dilemma, but I've always wondered if there could have been a solution...
Click to expand...

Is this thread really about bad breath or just a good way to let everyone know the level of certificate status?
 
LearDriver said:
Is this thread really about bad breath or just a good way to let everyone know the level of certificate status?
Click to expand...

ah, I've mentioned it before...but you're right. It wasn't necessary for this post. I'm sorry. Truth be told I was just in the mood to launch a few thread topics and this one scrolled across my brain. I actually hit the "new thread' button before I had an idea. Then I looked at the 'subject' line and had to think of something....guess what popped up?


Sorry about the non-essential details. My bad.
 
Last edited:
How about this?
Student: I've noticed your breath is usually bad. You might want to ask your dentist about it.
Instructor: What? No one has ever said that before.
Student: Yeah, most people don't have the guts to tell anyone about it. Anyway, there is usually something that can be done to help it.
Instructor: I'll look into it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top