Ask The Pilot

[Bjet]

Even some pilots don't like to wear hats.

However, I think that ANA/JAL pilots (no confirmed) must wear hats for their safety reasons. If an oil dropped from the wing to the pilots' head/eye while they were checking the aircraft, then it's likely the pilot may be unfit for work.

 

[jb747]

Even some pilots don't like to wear hats.

That's certainly true, but it also depends upon the cap/hat. I never wore the white monstrosity that's part of the current QF uniform, and took some delight handing it back, still in it's wrapping. Looks terrible, and simply didn't fit (anyone).

However, I think that ANA/JAL pilots (no confirmed) must wear hats for their safety reasons. If an oil dropped from the wing to the pilots' head/eye while they were checking the aircraft, then it's likely the pilot may be unfit for work.

And the argument goes the other way too. Aprons are windy places, and hats can easily become FOD if blown off. In any event, I doubt that Japanese airliners drip oil.

 

[Louisacrh]

Hi there,

I've just joined AFF after a bit of online research as I was hoping John B. - a former pilot - would see this.

My reason for trying to contact John is because I'd like to thank him personally, as he was the pilot of a flight I was a passenger on - a Qantas Flight back in 2008, where there was an in flight explosion and an emergency descent into Manilla was made.

For context, I was only 17 years old at the time and traveling alone, literally across the world (London to Melbourne). Needless to say this was an already rather nerve racking situation, but the accident that then happened and our experience once touched down in Manilla was an absolutely terrifying experience that has stayed with me ever since.

I'm turning 34 years old next month, and as I was thinking back on my life so far and what I'm grateful for, I couldn't help but think about this incident and how blessed I have been to have had a pilot able to handle the situation in such a way.

So John, if you're seeing this: I cannot thank-you enough, or express just how blessed I feel to have had such a talented pilot onboard that day - you did an absolutely fantastic job. I hope you know just how eternally grateful I am to you.

I saw that you retired in 2019, after having received the well deserved Polaris award back in 2010 - Congratulations!

I hope you are doing well and that this means you are now enjoying a beautiful and well deserved retirement.

Wishing you a Happy New Year, all the way from the UK!

With Gratitude,
Louisa

 

[eric2011]

Thats it, I am sure you will hear from him very soon

 

[Louisacrh]

Thats it, I am sure you will hear from him very soon

Thank-you very much Eric!

 

[jb747]

Well, that's a nice little surprise out of the blue. Replied via DM.

 

[jb747]

I had a chat to a couple of the cabin crew, and they remembered a young lady traveling alone.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

There has been a lot of discussion in the media around QF cancellations and delays particularly with the A330 and more recently with the A380 fleet. Is this a function of the fleet not having been refreshed over the years and aircraft breaking or aircraft being over utilised or is it simply aircraft being assigned routes they weren't designed for? For example the A330-2xx's are running BNE-LAX-BNE with the return journey taking 14hrs+. From memory their is no dedicated crew rest facility on the A330's and you would be limited on the number of pax you could carry. Also they now have the A380 on the SYD-JNB-SYD. From memory the OR Tambo Airport has an elevation of 5,500ft+ and on a hot day would the take off performance of the A380 be limited?

 

[jb747]

There has been a lot of discussion in the media around QF cancellations and delays particularly with the A330 and more recently with the A380 fleet. Is this a function of the fleet not having been refreshed over the years and aircraft breaking or aircraft being over utilised or is it simply aircraft being assigned routes they weren't designed for? For example the A330-2xx's are running BNE-LAX-BNE with the return journey taking 14hrs+. From memory their is no dedicated crew rest facility on the A330's and you would be limited on the number of pax you could carry. Also they now have the A380 on the SYD-JNB-SYD. From memory the OR Tambo Airport has an elevation of 5,500ft+ and on a hot day would the take off performance of the A380 be limited?

No being part of the company any more, it's hard to be too specific. The feedback I do get is that the current management is no better than the previous one, and is still completely hostile to the staff. I doubt that multiple decades of toxic behaviour is ever going to be erased.

As for the fleet...well, dearest leader did not prepare them for the future in any way. During his tenure all resources were pushed to subsidiaries, Jetstar in particular, whilst starving mainline of any investment. The result is only to be expected. His parting gesture of scrapping two 380s was simply an exercise of spite...they're needed more than ever now.

330-200s are not a bad choice for the Brisbane flights, but they should have been brought up to a proper long haul standard. Proper crew rest has always been a bugbear for management, and is one reason why such people should never be allowed near any business for which safety has any implications. A 330 NEO would be even nicer of course, but that's investment.

I don't have the performance app for the 380 any more, so I can't be too specific about its performance out of JNB. But, generally, it was far better than the 747-400 in the same conditions, and I would expect that would apply here as well.