Ask The Pilot

[Boris spatsky]

They existed, and I expect they still do. I've seen the one that was in the Sea King, though refrained from using in. Various stories exist of other things being used in an emergency too, though whether just good tales or true, who knows?

The early Herc models had a funnel setup and it was used until they retired the H model.

I have heard of a Caribou guy using a garbage bag during a bout of Bali belly too. True story.

 

[Captain Halliday]

This morning I watched a 744 come into Darwin, an unusual type to see here. It was operating DBX-DRW as ASY7 presumably for defence. Are services like these operated from the general pool of line pilots, or a different crew?

Jb, do you ever get to see ports other then LAX, LHR, DBX, SYD and MEL?

Boris, do you get to any ports not on the regular schedule?

 

[jb747]

This morning I watched a 744 come into Darwin, an unusual type to see here. It was operating DBX-DRW as ASY7 presumably for defence. Are services like these operated from the general pool of line pilots, or a different crew?

Jb, do you ever get to see ports other then LAX, LHR, DBX, SYD and MEL?

Boris, do you get to any ports not on the regular schedule?

Normally military or other charters are just dropped into the pool of trips, and anyone can operate them. Sometimes a specific destination might have requirements that requires the list to be restricted.

In 747 days, I never even got to all of the normal ports, but did manage plenty to Avalon, and one to Manila. The 380 list of destinations is pretty small, but I've done planned flights to Frankfurt and Manila.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Recent changes to the coughpit rules will also mean that longish sectors on narrow bodies are now harder to deal with and will undoubtedly lead to back problems. Our seats are rock hard, and i can't stretch my legs out straight when in the seat (no room to stand up either).

Isn't it a case of still being able to do whatever you did previously, just you need to swap another person in? I would hope coughpit duties overrule cabin service for business class.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Isn't it a case of still being able to do whatever you did previously, just you need to swap another person in? I would hope coughpit duties overrule cabin service for business class.

We can't go out for anything other than toilet breaks now. Quite limiting.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Boris, do you get to any ports not on the regular schedule?

Only if it is a ferry to maintenance or charter. It goes to whoever is available. I haven't had any in the past 12 months.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Only if it is a ferry to maintenance or charter. It goes to whoever is available. I haven't had any in the past 12 months.

Ah, yes. See what you mean.

 

[TomVexille]

We can't go out for anything other than toilet breaks now. Quite limiting.

That doesn't sound good

 

[Mogul]

Have the changes had any impact on the overall morale of the pilots, especially from a trust point of view.

 

[clazman]

Are you able to use drugs non prescription like melatonin to assist with getting to sleep?

Do seats in the coughpit differ between long and short haul flights, like in trucks.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Have the changes had any impact on the overall morale of the pilots, especially from a trust point of view.

I guess you are referring to the Fairfax article published today.

Not really. Most are frustrated that there was little industry consultation before the government made the decision, literally overnight, but morale overall seems unchanged.

We are all going to go about our business as usual, albeit with some comfort restrictions.

 

[jb747]

Are you able to use drugs non prescription like melatonin to assist with getting to sleep?

The use of any drugs is strictly controlled. Basically, if your DAME (aviation doc) didn't give them to you, then don't use them. Random drug testing is carried out, by CASA and the companies.

Do seats in the coughpit differ between long and short haul flights, like in trucks.

Basically exactly the same. All equally uncomfortable. They are very adjustable, but it's only about getting proper access to the controls. Comfort is a secondary consideration. As they are designed to fit a huge range of shapes and sizes, they end up not fitting anyone.

 

[jb747]

Have the changes had any impact on the overall morale of the pilots, especially from a trust point of view.

I still trust my fellow pilots. If the passengers don't trust us, realistically that's their problem, not mine. Actually much of what has been written (on this forum too) would be amusing if it weren't about such a nasty event. One week you're all against too much automation, and the next everyone wants more. Passengers rarely see what happens when the automation goes wrong, because the pilots fix it. If we couldn't, you'd be reading about accidents every day. As for the bloke who wants an armed security guard in the coughpit...surely that was trolling.

As usual though, the response has been knee jerk, simplistic, won't solve the problem, and will bring a whole bunch of new ones.

 

[A100]

At the time I do this, there's normally only passengers from a couple of flights in the lounge...so most, but not all, will be coming with me. Basically I just start at the left hand side as you walk in, and work my way to the other end. Most are very surprised. I only do it in the 1st class lounge in Melbourne. The business lounge is too big, and I don't have that much time.

Jb, is this something you and your fellow pilots do off your own initiative / desire, or is it encouraged by the company time permitting ?

 

[jb747]

I do it because I feel like it. It's done in my own time.

 

[mjt57]

I still trust my fellow pilots.

As usual though, the response has been knee jerk, simplistic, won't solve the problem, and will bring a whole bunch of new ones.

As suggested by the pilots' union for Virgin...

Virgin Australia pilots believe 'rule of two' suggests a lack of trust

And this bit...

"The new policy means on a Virgin aircraft, a flight attendant enters the coughpit when a pilot goes to the toilet. Qantas also allows passengers in the jump seat, such as off-duty airline employees, to serve as the second person on its flights."

What's an FA going to do to stop a pilot from going crazy, anyway? Other than maybe to open the door if she's able to?

But yes, knee jerk. But that's how governments operate. But then, we all know that...

 

[jb747]

Plus, they aren't to sit in an operating seat (i.e. a pilots), but the jump seats in the smaller aircraft have to be folded down, and serve to block the doorway anyway. Anyway, now we need to seriously look at the cabin crew. Should they be allowed in if only one pilot is there. Perhaps we should have two. Or three, just in case they're in cahoots.

All silly. There are much more pressing issues, and this isn't one of them.

 

[Mogul]

Thanks JB & Boris for your replys.

 

[samh004]

I do it because I feel like it. It's done in my own time.

Feeling like I need to fly more... from MEL... so I can experience this despite having met you before anyway

 

[clazman]

The toilet break pilot, would surely have to
- have basic coughpit understanding?
- paid extra due to extra responsibility
- how does a female attendant stop a male pilot (speaking generally and non sexist)


I think the solution is knee jerk reaction to a issue that can be controlled by better management of your staff, you either trust your staff (pilots) or you don't