Would you take a total stranger along in your GA airplane?

[DouglasBader]

Does that make your experience less limited than mine, or more limited. Now I am confused.

Neither. Just different.

I can't dictate what you should or shouldn't do in your cockpit, beyond the obvious and the reasonable. When it comes to deciding what to fly, when, where, and with whom, that's entirely up to you.

Your comfort level and mine will be different, as will your preferences, limits, and views. I've had complete strangers climb into my aircraft in Iraq, in remote areas of Africa and Saudi Arabia, in Central and South America, in Europe, and in many states in the US. I've also removed people from the aircraft, and once grounded an airplane to prevent someone from flying.

An individual once asked if I'd take him flying, and I obliged. He wanted to see a specific place, and as we flew over, he commented with some dismay that there was no place to hide. I later found he had just come out of prison, and was very concerned about going places where nobody could find him.

About that same time, someone locally was asked to take an individual flying. The flight was uneventful. I worked for the Sheriff's Office at the time, and a few weeks later the Sheriff called the Search and Rescue, to which I belonged, together. We had a missing person, and the person's vehicle had been found. When I saw the picture of the car, I immediately knew the person; it was the man who asked for a flight. As more information came in, we learned he was a terminal cancer patient who had been staying with people in an adjacent state. He unexpectedly left, and was last seen in our county.

I helped carry his body out of the wilderness later that nigh, after an exhuasting all-day search. He'd gone flying with a special purpose; he was picking out the perfect spot for his final hour, where he watched a sunset, then shot himself with a mossberg shotgun.

You never know about the person asking to go flying. One could surmise that the last individual was suicidal, in which case taking him flying would be unwise, indeed. Of course, we had no way of knowing that, and he was harmless as it turned out, to everyone but himself. When he came back from his last flight, he was at peace, and calm, even happy. he found what he sought, and left us to go spend his final hour alone.

I was once approached by an individual whom I'm ashamed to say I didn't take flying. It wasn't my airplane, and I didn't take him flying because I didn't feel it was my right to make that call for someone else. In retrospect, I should have simply paid to take him and made the adjustments later out of my pocket. The man had a long flying career, and I could see how much he longed to fly when we met. He wondered in off the street, and I didn't know him from Adam. I still don't, but a few decades later, if I understood then what I know now, I'd have taken him without a second thought. It would have been a privilege.

I got rides as a kid, when I couldn't afford them, by the grace of the locals who were willing to take a kid flying. How can I do any less for others?

So I guess what your saying is that your impromptu passengers have also included ZOMBIES!

I don't know about that, but I've hauled dead people, a lot of kidneys, hearts, and other organs, and have brought back large loads of body parts from knee caps to skin, after rushing to harvest accident victims. I've flown gunshot victims, cancer patients, burn patients, critical disease patients, prisoners suffering from all kinds of maladies, suicide cases, dying children, and even a young man who took a chainsaw in the face.

I've had the dead "talk" to me as we climbed to altitude in unpressurized aircraft, as gasses escaped the body through the vocal cords (and other places). If those count as zombies, then I guess so. On more than one occasion, I've had a strong feeling that the dead are still with me, riding to the next stop with their body, silently escorting it. Never saw one, but I know I felt them there.

 

[alfadog]

Neither. Just different.

snip

Great stories. Thanks

I was just joking about your turn of phrase re "limited". Figured you were being snarky

 

[azure]

I was once approached by an individual whom I'm ashamed to say I didn't take flying. It wasn't my airplane, and I didn't take him flying because I didn't feel it was my right to make that call for someone else. In retrospect, I should have simply paid to take him and made the adjustments later out of my pocket. The man had a long flying career, and I could see how much he longed to fly when we met. He wondered in off the street, and I didn't know him from Adam. I still don't, but a few decades later, if I understood then what I know now, I'd have taken him without a second thought. It would have been a privilege.

I had a similar experience about 7 or 8 years ago. Someone at a dinner stop asked me about the airplane I was flying, said he was a pilot who no longer flew because he'd been diagnosed with cancer. He didn't specifically ask me to take him up, but it wasn't hard to see that he really wanted to go flying. I didn't offer for a similar reason to yours, the airplane wasn't mine and I had no way to contact the owner at the time to ask her if she would go along with the idea. In hindsight I feel I should have done it anyway, as this individual certainly talked the talk, didn't seem like he was cooking up a yarn to get a free ride, and didn't seem threatening in any other way. I never asked the owner how she would have felt if I had taken him up.

Today if the opportunity presented itself, and the person asking for a ride didn't give me any bad vibes, I'm sure I'd do it... in my own airplane, of course.

 

[EdFred]

I had a similar experience about 7 or 8 years ago. Someone at a dinner stop asked me about the airplane I was flying, said he was a pilot who no longer flew because he'd been diagnosed with cancer. He didn't specifically ask me to take him up, but it wasn't hard to see that he really wanted to go flying. I didn't offer for a similar reason to yours, the airplane wasn't mine and I had no way to contact the owner at the time to ask her if she would go along with the idea. In hindsight I feel I should have done it anyway, as this individual certainly talked the talk, didn't seem like he was cooking up a yarn to get a free ride, and didn't seem threatening in any other way. I never asked the owner how she would have felt if I had taken him up.

Today if the opportunity presented itself, and the person asking for a ride didn't give me any bad vibes, I'm sure I'd do it... in my own airplane, of course.

Don't forget the Lake Lawn experience too, of course you were on the other end of that one.

 

[oldShar]

OK, you are on the ramp doing your preflight for a recreational flight and you are alone. Maybe you are going to do some pattern work, maybe go to a seminar at another airport, get cheap fuel, whatever but you are going alone and will be back within, say six hours or less. Point is, you are coming back.

A fellow walks up to you. He is a normal-looking fellow, well-spoken, clean. Maybe he is 20, maybe he is 50. Just a guy. Nothing about him puts you off.

He says that he would love to ride along just for the fun of it. Maybe he is a pilot, maybe someone with only a bit of student flying, maybe no experience at all.

You say, well, I will be gone a few hours. He says, no problem, I am free all day.

Required clarification: Stranger is the same gender as you and you are both straight. Or the opposite gender and you are both gay. Point is, not about mating or hoping to mate.

Would you take him?

Not in the poll for some questions for discussion. Food for thought.

You decide to take him.

Would you want to see some ID?

Would you want to pat him down for weapons?

Let us say he has a small pack of some sort; do want to search it?

BTDT a couple of years ago.
Different Genders, no mating intent, no baggage.
Formation flew with another couple for a trip a couple hundred miles west for a $500 hamburger and then came home.
PAX discussed love for and addenda to X-Plane. Good company.
I footed the bill (except for his hamburger)
Nose wet --- we are community (besides, member of other couple vouched for him)

Besides, I was offered my first "free" ride back in the 60's, so why shouldn't I return the favor?
Protocol is similar to that offered by Angel Flight

 

[alfadog]

Don't forget the Lake Lawn experience too, of course you were on the other end of that one.

Good flow chart. When I explain to my safety pilots what it really means to be the "agreed-upon PIC" (i.e. in the hot seat for airspace busts, etc.), they usually decline the privilege of logging the time and just act as SIC.

 

[Jack Spectre]

There are way, WAY too many unbalanced people out there. I'd take a stranger up if they showed up with a trusted friend or family member, but they're sitting in the back.

I usually carry a firearm when I fly but who wants to get in a shootout in a GA plane?

 

[AuntPeggy]

Yes, along with those of us in 135. And we don't even have big metal doors separating us from the cabin!

If I recall correctly, Hubby and I were planning to give Ted a 1000 mile round-trip flight before we ever saw him. I think he had not soloed yet. Simply because he asked.

 

[TMetzinger]

All depends on how much I trust him, which depends on the basis of that trust.

Total stranger to me but known to people I trust (one level of separation)? Sure.

The more separation between he and I the less likely he's getting in the airplane with me.

 

[alfadog]

All depends on how much I trust him, which depends on the basis of that trust.

Total stranger to me but known to people I trust (one level of separation)? Sure.

The more separation between he and I the less likely he's getting in the airplane with me.

So in my scenario, and with the added caveat that he can offer up no names you know, that would be a "no way"?

 

[TMetzinger]

Unlikely but possible.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[alfadog]

Unlikely but possible.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

Especially possible when that hole in the clouds follows him around and keeps him bathed in light

 

[Ted]

Yeah, but you still signed me off for my BFR. Now who's the idiot?

Crap. If I ever get called about it, I'm denying.

 

[azure]

Don't forget the Lake Lawn experience too, of course you were on the other end of that one.

I won't be forgetting that experience anytime soon, that's for sure! I'm not sure that it fits the OP scenario though, since we weren't just any random strangers, but random strangers with a broken-down airplane. Plus, I doubt if I give off Aileen Wuornos vibes.

 

[AdamZ]

Already have - it's the essence of fly-in fun. Did it at Gaston's.

Eh Gastons is different than someone walking up to you on the ramp. Really any POA Flyin is.

Just the other day, a fellow walked up to me as I was putting the Luscombe back in the hangar and asked if I remembered him. I gave him that befuddled look that says no without having to say "should I?" He then reminded me that I had given him his first airplane ride ever, in that Luscombe, when he was about 16. He said he was enthralled then and went on to get his private certificate; he now owns an RV-3, and is restoring a Luscombe 8A. I do remember one of the local airport regulars back in the day asking me if I would give this kid a ride so it wasn't as though he was a complete stranger. All in all, I got quite a kick out of it and hope to score a ride in his fabric-winged 8A when he's done.

So, yes, I'll take my chances, even without a CCW, if the circumstances seem right.

My question is, would you get into a GA airplane flown by a stranger? I have always been amazed that the parents give us their children for Young Eagles rides with no question. That is a responsibility that should humble the best of pilots.

Scott

That right there is a cool story

I guess my answer would be probably, It really all depends as someone above said, what kind of vibe I get from him

 

[alfadog]

Eh Gastons is different than someone walking up to you on the ramp. Really any POA Flyin is.



That right there is a cool story

I guess my answer would be probably, It really all depends as someone above said, what kind of vibe I get from him

You are a "yes" then, IMO. My premise is that the vibe is OK. I would not expect anyone to let someone in their home, their car, or their airplane if the vibe is off.

 

[ChrisK]

I shouldn't just jump to the end of this thread and post, but here I am. I'm one of those people who looks "shifty" and "untrustworthy". I have narrow brown eyes that don't open as far as you want them to, I mumble and stutter a bit (ok more talk too fast and struggle to get things out, but it has the same effect). I don't always look people in the eye. My wife even tells me that if she didn't know me she wouldn't trust me. It has probably what has caused me to overreact and try to become an exceedingly trustworthy person in my actions. I overcompensate an a bunch of ways.

I say this because the most untrustworthy folk are the ones who are as smooth as silk. The best ones will take advantage and you never realize what happened, even after it is all over. I have read a lot of comments on this thread about not taking someone who looks suspicious or untrustworthy. From what I've been told, you're talking about me, and you not only have misjudged me, you have misjudged the people you WOULD trust, and are probably gonna be in for it

 

[alfadog]

I shouldn't just jump to the end of this thread and post, but here I am. I'm one of those people who looks "shifty" and "untrustworthy". I have narrow brown eyes that don't open as far as you want them to, I mumble and stutter a bit (ok more talk too fast and struggle to get things out, but it has the same effect). I don't always look people in the eye. My wife even tells me that if she didn't know me she wouldn't trust me. It has probably what has caused me to overreact and try to become an exceedingly trustworthy person in my actions. I overcompensate an a bunch of ways.

I say this because the most untrustworthy folk are the ones who are as smooth as silk. The best ones will take advantage and you never realize what happened, even after it is all over. I have read a lot of comments on this thread about not taking someone who looks suspicious or untrustworthy. From what I've been told, you're talking about me, and you not only have misjudged me, you have misjudged the people you WOULD trust, and are probably gonna be in for it

Thread is not over and you are welcome to post.

I think you are guilty of stereotyping on both sides of the coin. The smooth talker might well put me off while the geeky, self-conscious type might not. It is not about appearance. If I may make a suggestion for you, try Toastmasters. You really do need to learn to look folks in the eye. Forgive my bluntness.

 

[ChrisK]

I'm probably not as awkward as I indicated, and the not-looking-people-in-the-eye thing was tossed in there at the last minute. Don't worry about me so much - I'm doing fine personally and professionally. I am just taking out my frustration on that post a tad too dramatically.

The moral of my post was that it is difficult to judge someone based on a first impression, even though sometimes it is all we have.

 

[alfadog]

I'm probably not as awkward as I indicated, and the not-looking-people-in-the-eye thing was tossed in there at the last minute. Don't worry about me so much - I'm doing fine personally and professionally. I am just taking out my frustration on that post a tad too dramatically.

The moral of my post was that it is difficult to judge someone based on a first impression, even though sometimes it is all we have.

That is good to know

Re the moral, I feel ya

 

[Godot]

I see the "No"'s are creeping up on the "Yes"'s. That is OK. I think 50/50 is pretty good.

This poll was prompted by another post I made where I suggested to someone that does not have money to continue but still loves aviation that he be the "stranger" in my question; that he walk up to folks he sees on the ramp pre-flighting an airplane alone and ask if he could join them.

What this says is that there is a very good chance the answer would be yes and that is pretty cool

edit: this post:

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?p=878277#post878277

I had a feeling the stranger might be me. I was a little wary of doing this because I wasn't sure what the response would be. I might try it and let you know how it goes. Hopefully I don't get the one guy who will report me to DHS. Lol

 

[gismo]

I'm probably not as awkward as I indicated, and the not-looking-people-in-the-eye thing was tossed in there at the last minute. Don't worry about me so much - I'm doing fine personally and professionally. I am just taking out my frustration on that post a tad too dramatically.

The moral of my post was that it is difficult to judge someone based on a first impression, even though sometimes it is all we have.

I will admit that I have more faith in my belief that it's extremely unlikely that I'll come to grief as a result of taking a stranger at an airport for a ride in an airplane than I have in my ability to detect a miscreant by their demeanor when we first meet.

 

[N801BH]

So far, in my 56 years of life I have done pretty darn good on analyizing people on the first meeting... Maybe it is just me but there are various habits, traits, mannerisms, the abilitiy how they construct a sentence and alot of other outward but sutle signs humans give off that tip me off to their motives.... if a person has the cohones to make it onto an airport , which in my mind is a rather intiminating part of the landscape to most people, shows to my they have a yerning for aviation. They are / were probably more apprehensive then who they will walk up to. Take for example Ted, I have never meet him but he was coming out to Jackson for a pitstop on a animal rescue flight, I met with the FBO owner and was and managed to get him a pretty good discount on fuel... And the ownwe had NO clue who this TEd guy was... The only pic I have seen of him was the "deice pellets" episode in Walmart. When he showed up, sure enough he looked just like the pic.... other then he lest the ice melter at home.

Then Cap't Jack mentioned he and his lovely wife were doing the Yellowstone thing and I didn't even think twice about setting them up for a aerial tour of the park and the little mountainsthat surround Jackson Hole..... In my mind, pilots have a ability to assess any situation and deal with it in a timely, efficient and safe manner. Thats just what we do..
By meeting a stranger that walks up on the ramp that is wanting to live and breath aviation my take is ... Who are we to deny them of that dream.

Ben.

 

[Godot]

I had a feeling the stranger might be me. I was a little wary of doing this because I wasn't sure what the response would be. I might try it and let you know how it goes. Hopefully I don't get the one guy who will report me to DHS lol.

 

[N801BH]

I had a feeling the stranger might be me. I was a little wary of doing this because I wasn't sure what the response would be. I might try it and let you know how it goes. Hopefully I don't get the one guy who will report me to DHS lol.

Pick a small, rural airport...... Don't try it at MIA , BOS, or any other high security airports.....

 

[alfadog]

I had a feeling the stranger might be me. I was a little wary of doing this because I wasn't sure what the response would be. I might try it and let you know how it goes. Hopefully I don't get the one guy who will report me to DHS lol.

My point was that this is totally an option and I think this poll proves that. Good luck!

 

[alfadog]

Pick a small, rural airport...... Don't try it at MIA , BOS, or any other high security airports.....

Tell the pilot you will give him a hand next time he washes or waxes his airplane and I think your seat is assured!

 

[ajstoner21]

Tell the pilot you will give him a hand next time he washes or waxes his airplane and I think your seat is assured!

Probably have more luck if you help wash and wax before the ride to gaurantee "payment"

 

[alfadog]

Probably have more luck if you help wash and wax before the ride to gaurantee "payment"

True but doesn't fit in to my scenario unless the "stranger" happens on someone washing their airplane.

 

[rottydaddy]

The comparison to giving a stranger a ride in your car got me thinking. I have to say that if a stranger approached me for a ride in my car just for the hell of it I'd be suspicious, whereas I've given more than one stranger a ride because they seemed to need it to get somewhere (including a few hitchhikers). With flying, it seems the opposite. On the ramp, a request for a ride just for fun would be normal, but a request to go from A to B would be suspicious (and not just because of the regs). I've never been approached to take someone somewhere specific in a plane, and I've never had a stranger ask me to give them a ride in my car with no destination in mind.


I've given aircraft rides to total strangers and near-strangers, and haven't regretted it so far. Can't say the same for offering a moment's attention to a number of strangers met under more everyday circumstances.

The most typical "wish I hadn't" story I've heard from pilots I know seem to involve pukers or panickers... like the lady who was all fired up for a ride in the back of the towplane during a tow last summer, then freaked out as soon as they left the ground, hollering and pulling on poor Turbo's harness.
I was the one who helped her strap in, and I realized later that I saw she grew less enthusiastic after she actually got in there... the next time I see that, especially if I am the PIC, I won't let them go. If they stop smiling or laughing, watch out!

At any rate, the bottom line for me is that any stranger may cause you harm or trouble of some kind whether they approach you on the ramp, on the street, at the mall, or at your front door. You really just never know, so you apply what life experience you have to "size up" such a stranger, and decide what you will and won't do for them.