sharksrock

Hey Everyone,

I'm a 14 year old wishing to be an airline pilot when I grow up, but this time, my question isn't about flying or flying for an airline. Even though I'm pushing teenager-hood, I still LOVE to go up to cockpits of all planes of all sizes to see the pilots and the command center of the planes they fly. Do you guys like to have visitors up in the cockpit? Anyone ever important come up? Any cool stories? My story is when I went up to the cockpit of a Boeing 767, the pilots decided to scare the crap out of me. They pushed the button to test all of the warnings and alarms at the same time, when the speakers so convienently were located behind my head. I got the shock of my life.

POPA

I don't often get visitors in the cockpit. A lot of this is probably because I fly "one of those itty-bitty planes," and there's not a whole lot of room up front. However, I really enjoy when somebody takes an interest in what's going on up front, especially when it's a younger kid. With the older people it shows that they have an interest in understanding what we're doing and what we have to deal with; when children visit it's great to see an unadulterated appreciation for the wonder of flight.
My favorite sticker on my chart case is a sticker that a kid made for me on a flight from LGA to SAV; I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get it on my next chart case when I have to replace this one.

de727ups

I have had kids from a boys home in Spokane out to see the 767 at GEG. It's always fun to see the kids sit in the left seat thinking it's pretty cool while I often wish I was somewhere else while sitting in the same seat. Kinda brings you back to reality.

Another thing I do is Young Eagles flights. It's quite the experience to introduce youth to light aircraft and take them for their first airplane ride. I once got a note from some kid I long ago forgot who became a CFI down the road. That also makes you think twice.

Clue32

I believe there is an unwritten law that states all pilots take measures necessary to share their love of flying and pass it on to the next generation. If a passenger wanted to check out the cockpit and listen in on the radios while flying then I'd be more than happy to let em. It's more difficult these days since you can't have in flight visitors on airliners. Also, keep in mind that the flight crew is busy trying to get the airplane out on time and there are plenty of tasks to accomplish before pulling out of the gate.

Even at twice your age I still enjoy sneaking a peak inside the flight decks of aircraft at airshows and the other week when flying back from the Middle East to Ramstein Air Base on a C-17 I asked the crew if I could jump seat. They let me and eventhough I had been up for 18 hours before the plane took off I stayed up for the entire 7 hour flight.

schwanm

I had a great look around a C-17 thanks to a member of this forum, was awesome fun

That reminds me, vagabond if you read this. Did you get a tour too?

TheGreatChecko

Come on up! Just make sure to ask the Flight Attendant and if we seem busy, like if we are running a checklist, just wait a moment before saying hello!

Like anyone else, I think we just love to show off our toys, no matter if we are flying a 1900 or a 747.

vagabond

It must be that I am far from 14 years old because no pilot has ever agreed to let me peek into the cockpit in a very long time. The flight attendants plant themselves in front of the inner sanctum and just glare at me, quashing any thoughts of even saying hello.

Maybe I'll get a better reception when it's my turn to tour the C-17.

Danzig

I have an idea for you, Vagabond: choose a unique brooch or large lapel pin (or some sort of article that would make you easily recognizable), take a picture of it, and post it here on APC. Now, whenever you fly, you'll be recognizable (supposing you are wearing said jewelry) to all of the pilots here on APC, who may be greeting passengers on your next flight, or just happen to look up and out when our favorite country lawyer boards. Therefore, you now have a standing invite to take a "peek". No more over-zealous, under-sympathetic flight deck guards to worry about.

On that note, I wonder if you can't get HSLD's permission to have a pin fabricated with the APC logo... or, you could get this.

sharksrock: I don't have any cool stories myself. But my dad, who is also a pilot, had James Earl Jones (Darth Vader's voice) on one of his flights a while back. He's also hosted Lassy (or at least the most current Border-Collie who played Lassy), Mother Theresa, John McCain, and various other well-known persons. Myself, I always love it when someone takes an interest in aviation, and I'm the one who has the honor to talk to them about it, or give them a glimpse into the world of aviation. It is during these times, especially when a future pilot, like yourself, shows such fascination and love for flying, that I remember how much I love it and enjoy it myself.

vagabond

Great idea! Would it still work, however, if I wore this instead?

I like the APC pin idea. All of us ought to have one and wear it everyday to work. We might even develop a secret handshake or secret wink to identify each other.

usmc-sgt

I had my first visitor the other day. I often wonder if some people assume that it is no longer permitted. When I was much younger I remember going up front and being treated like a mini VIP. I thought about looking online and buying a handfull of plastic wings to give to the little guys, it used to be done and always received a warm welcome and should only set me back ten dollars or so. thirty minute turns make it a bit more difficult but there is usually a few minutes to spare to spread the aviation bug.