Continental Pilot's ad in USA today

Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

I usually try to make a good impression on the kids..invite them up front..let them sit in my seat...sometimes if they are interested press a few buttons and help me load the FMS.


Most of the time they dont even pay attention...its weird. I always used to be dying to go up front... I suppose its because aviation was always something I loved. I'd like to think that some of the kids that ive brought up front and given wings might have that seed planted in them too.


Totally agree with ya though, Doug. I think 90% of my passengers think taht they know more than me...especially because im so young. I think I spend half the time that I am not passed out sleeping on my commutes explaining what really goes on to passengers...

I had one passenger walk up to me the other day (with this "I'm looking at a cute little boy" look on her face) while I was looking over the flight release at the gate and go "aww.. you must want to be a pilot some day!"

After a few moments of uncontrollable shock, not to mention having to pick my jaw up from the floor... I went... "ma'am, I'm flying your plane... I've been flying for 6 years." heheheh.
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

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I always used to be dying to go up front...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm 18 and the last time I flew commercial I was dying to go up front! Luckily enough, we ended up being about 20 minutes early, so as the captain was walking out of the cockpit, I asked if he had a minute or two, just for a few questions about flying, etc. I had no intention of ASKING to see the cockpit (for someone my age, it might seem shady to do so?), rather I had just expected to talk to him out in the terminal. Instead, he drops his stuff in the galley, backs right back into the cockpit, says "Come on in!" and pulls out the captain's seat for me. I ended up sitting up there, talking to him and the FO for about 15 minutes about how they got started flying. Both were really nice guys, who really dispelled the "angry pilot" myth. But hey, that fits in better with a thread in the general forums a few months ago. Oh yeah, it was an A320.. boy, those things sure are a bit more fancy than the Archer...
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Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

So far every pilot that I have talked to has been very friendly and open as long as they had time. I had the same experience with a Northwest Captain, on a A319 I believe, where he had me sitting left seat. I had a Southwest guy show me the whole "briefing pack" (I believe that's what he called it) for his next leg of the flight and he had me reading him the weather....they were flying into 1/2sm vis and blowing snow in ALB!!! He was also telling me about the Luscombe he was restoring on the side.

It seems that they are just as interested to talk flying with other pilots as we are and actually welcome the opportunity to share ideas with you.

As long as you are courteous and respect the fact that they might not have time due to flight duties, etc... I've never had any problems. Also do not hold up other people getting on or off the plane. The cabin crew HATES that!
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

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I'd like to think that some of the kids that ive brought up front and given wings might have that seed planted in them too.

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That's illegal in 47 states....

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Sorry, I couldn't help it.....
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

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CHING! CHING! (sound of the cabin to cockpit interphone chime) The flight attendant calls. "I've got a passenger here that was talking to her husband on the cellphone in Marietta and he says that the skies are clear."



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Reminds me of a flight into SFO a few weeks ago. Ground hold as well as inflight holding was required before we arrived an hour late. During the hold the captain advised the pax of the poor weather as the reason for the delays. "Bong, bong"(chime of F/A calling). Apparently there was an "international flier" who had 3 hours on the ground before his connection and decided that we were cutting it too close and because ATC sequences planes based on their size if we tell them we're carrying an "international passenger" we'll get priority. Well when we had our good laugh we advised the FA that that wasn't exactly how it went and when she told the passenger he got irrate and refused to put on his seat belt and took a swing at the FA. Needless to say the cops were waiting and he did get priority handling
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On a side note, I flew my first real life celebrity passenger the other day and it was none other than Michael Bolton!! There's nothing quite like it when he sings "when a man loves a woman"
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Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

Sometimes I wonder what it will be like doing this for 37 more years. Coming out of HNL the other night I wanted to (scold; give stern talking to; launch into space) a lady with her four kids. She deserved it... shoved me into a ticket agent and the podium. All because the ticket agent had me go under the nylon divider cord so I could preboard and talk to the crew. She says "no cutting!" and pushed me. I turned around, astonished, and said "I'm not, I'm going to see the crew ma'am." She just goes "Oh, sorry" and proceeded to shove her boarding passes at the ticket agent, pushing past me. GAAAAHHHH!!!
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

Sometimes while we're boarding, I'll be coming up the jetway stairs to reboard the aircraft and continue my preflight duties. Usually people will understand and let you back onboard to re-enter the cockpit.

About twice a month, there's always some person that even after you give your smiliest most polite "excuse me sir/ma'am" to, will look you dead in the eye and say "YOU CAN WAIT IN LINE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE".

Geez! Not like I've got a million things to do!
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

[ QUOTE ]
Sometimes I wonder what it will be like doing this for 37 more years. Coming out of HNL the other night I wanted to (scold; give stern talking to; launch into space) a lady with her four kids. She deserved it... shoved me into a ticket agent and the podium. All because the ticket agent had me go under the nylon divider cord so I could preboard and talk to the crew. She says "no cutting!" and pushed me. I turned around, astonished, and said "I'm not, I'm going to see the crew ma'am." She just goes "Oh, sorry" and proceeded to shove her boarding passes at the ticket agent, pushing past me. GAAAAHHHH!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, sometimes I'm glad I'm furloughed...........
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

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About twice a month, there's always some person that even after you give your smiliest most polite "excuse me sir/ma'am" to, will look you dead in the eye and say "YOU CAN WAIT IN LINE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE".

Geez! Not like I've got a million things to do!

[/ QUOTE ]
Response: "I sure can Ma'am/Sir. Just as long as you don't mind being late to your destination."
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Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

[ QUOTE ]
Sometimes while we're boarding, I'll be coming up the jetway stairs to reboard the aircraft and continue my preflight duties. Usually people will understand and let you back onboard to re-enter the cockpit.

About twice a month, there's always some person that even after you give your smiliest most polite "excuse me sir/ma'am" to, will look you dead in the eye and say "YOU CAN WAIT IN LINE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE".

[/ QUOTE ]

I get this when I go up to drop off the loading paperwork for the plane. Nevermind the fact that I'm wearing smurf blue clothing with "Southwest" all over it, I'm wet from rain/sweat, and I just finished loading the 125 lb bag that THEY packed. Ungrateful bastards.
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Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

[ QUOTE ]
Sometimes while we're boarding, I'll be coming up the jetway stairs to reboard the aircraft and continue my preflight duties. Usually people will understand and let you back onboard to re-enter the cockpit.

About twice a month, there's always some person that even after you give your smiliest most polite "excuse me sir/ma'am" to, will look you dead in the eye and say "YOU CAN WAIT IN LINE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE".

Geez! Not like I've got a million things to do!

[/ QUOTE ]I think i'd say "Excuse me - did you want to leave ontime today? if so, then i suggest you let me through".. that'll give it to em nice and bluntly.. might even make them go PALE!
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

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Totally agree with ya though, Doug. I think 90% of my passengers think taht they know more than me...especially because im so young. I think I spend half the time that I am not passed out sleeping on my commutes explaining what really goes on to passengers...

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I hear ya man this is why I always just wear buisness casual on my commutes. I always change out of the costume on commutes home now..
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

Kell I know how you feel. They forget its 100 degrees outside and there bag weighs 100lbs for the trip to Disney or grandmas.
 
Re: Continental Pilot\'s ad in USA today

5 more days. 5 more days. Not that I'm counting down or anything.....
 
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