Pilot/Passenger Relationship

JDE

JDE

Well-Known Member
What is everyone's opinion on the pilot/passenger relationship as far as how close the pilots should be or are to the passengers?

In my particular case, we know the passengers on a first name basis, they talk and joke around with us and will sometimes take us to dinner, but outside of the job, we don't interact. On the other hand, I know a crew who flies around a rich guy and his friends and they are quite close to all of them. They stay in the boss' house on trips to the islands and up in Wyoming. I also had a good friend who (back in the '70's) partied all the time with his boss.

My personal feeling is if both parties comfortable with it, then don't worry too much about it, but some people I know don't agree. They think there needs to be separation...ie pilots not staying at the boss' house. I know this will obviously be different for everyone...especially charter and fractional guys since I'm guessing you don't regularly fly the same people.

So, lets discuss...
 
I would say, that whatever your company policy is, that is what you need to do.

If no policy is in place, I would say keep the relationship strictly a work relationship and no more.
 
My personal experience has been that when the relationship is not a professional one then things get unprofessional. I had a boss that liked to treat me like a buddy, then later thought that was a ticket to push when I made no-go or fuel stop decisions. He cooled the "buddy" stuff the first time I had to "splain" who the captain was.
 
I'm one of those guys that stays in the boss's house. Why not stay at his vacation house when there's room. A very nice house beats the hell out of a hotel.

This also means we interact with them on a regular basis outside of the aircraft. I for one thing couldn't be happier with it. We don't have a spending budget when it comes for food and if we want steak, we aren't going to Sizzlers.

One thing I like, they have a couple times, once the door is closed, you two are the boss.
 
stuckingfk said:
I'm one of those guys that stays in the boss's house. Why not stay at his vacation house when there's room. A very nice house beats the hell out of a hotel.
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I agree.

The crew that I'm talking about does quite a bit with the pax outside of the job and they are two of the most professional pilots I know. I was told once, that no matter how much they (pax) seem like you're friends, they're not. I do think for the most part that is true, but I also think there are exceptions...and I don't see anything wrong with it.
 
I've known some people who have been hired because the boss was a family friend. I don't have a problem with the pilots and boss/pax being friends as long as the boss/pax understand the concept of PIC.
 
My motto is Friendly but not Familiar. While I am fortunate to be in with a great company who invites us along on the "fun" stuff I choose those invitations wisely. I have plenty of friends but I only have one job so I try to maintain a professional stance as much as possible. I can tell you of a recent event where a pilot I know thought he was best buddies with the CEO and everyone yet when he was let go he found out that the friendships ended where Business began. Business first people.

Jim
 
C650CPT said:
My motto is Friendly but not Familiar. While I am fortunate to be in with a great company who invites us along on the "fun" stuff I choose those invitations wisely. I have plenty of friends but I only have one job so I try to maintain a professional stance as much as possible. I can tell you of a recent event where a pilot I know thought he was best buddies with the CEO and everyone yet when he was let go he found out that the friendships ended where Business began. Business first people.

Jim
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Good point. You could say that for any job.
 
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