Can I ask to meet the pilots and see the cockpit before my flight?

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ThatLooksRight@reddit

Ask the flight attendant when you first step foot on the plane. Unless something weird is going on, it’s fine. Just don’t spend 30 minutes asking questions about what everything does. We do, eventually, have to get going.

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thattrans_girl@reddit (OP)

ooh thank you, i was just planning on spending a minute or two haha. i appreciate the info!! is this at all an annoyance to pilots? i don’t wanna make anything harder for you guys

also curious if you know of anything pilots love to talk about, it’d be cool to ask about stuff you guys always want to talk about but never get asked lol

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Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit

it really depends on the pilots, as the earlier poster said just ask the flight attendant when you board.

Personally I usually get up and invite them to sit in the captain seat. Ask if they have a phone take their picture in the seat.

when we get multiple kids, we get the kids in the two seats, bring the parents up, the most people Ive ever stuffed in the flight deck is 8, 4 kids, 2 parents, me and the FO. And we get the family photo on the flight deck.

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ThatLooksRight@reddit

the most people Ive ever stuffed in the flight deck is 8, 4 kids, 2 parents, me and the FO

737, obviously.

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DefundTheHOA_@reddit

No, it’s not annoying. We were all kids once just as happy as you are to see a flight deck

You don’t have to ask any questions, just a simple “hi, how are you” is more than enough to start a conversation with the pilots

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Fizzo21@reddit

At my airline, probably at the beginning of the flight. Usually at the end of the flight we dip after first class leaves. Have to go to the next jet or to the layover. Don’t have to wait for the flight attendants like the regional airlines.

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sniper4273@reddit

Best is probably after arrival, preflight is usually pretty busy. No harm in asking the flight attendant as you board tho, worst they can say is no.

And I personally love showing kids up front if I’m not busy.

Souvenir wise, gonna be hit or miss. Some airlines have trading cards or extra souvenir wings they give to pilots. My regiOOnal airline has none of these things. 😭

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TobyADev@reddit

“Showing kids” what about adults 😅

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sniper4273@reddit

I’m fairly new to the airline world, have yet to have a middle-aged adult ask to come up. My gut reaction to reading your post was that it’d be a bit weird, but as long as you were polite and didn’t give anyone weird vibes, I’d probably say yes.

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ra1ndr0p@reddit

I got a brief cockpit visit after arrival on an Air Canada flight a few months ago. First time ever sticking my head in the cockpit mere days after doing my first PPL solo circuits, so I was thrilled 😅

Both the captain and FO were incredibly kind, chatted about the fact that they also had their humble beginnings in a Cessna 152. We shared ideas of aviation stuff to see when they're next in the UK, and they gave me a few memorable lesson tips.

As others have suggested, being mindful of not interfering with preflight or sticking around too long is basic politeness, but it was so worth asking!

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DefundTheHOA_@reddit

Dude everyone turns into a kid once they get excited about airplanes

I’ve had adults be just as excited as a kid to see the flight deck

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TobyADev@reddit

another pilot wanting to have a chat with more pilots.. can’t be that odd surely lol

I know many who do ha

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sniper4273@reddit

Oh another pilot coming up and wanting to chat is a different story entirely. I’d always be willing to talk with another pilot in my spare time.

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TobyADev@reddit

nice one👌

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PullDoNotRotate@reddit

All you're going to see after arrival on a major or legacy is, well, nothing and nobody.

OO makes you stay there but no big-kid aviation job does.

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thattrans_girl@reddit (OP)

ooh thank you!! that’s why i’m nervous haha, i’m 20 so idk if it’s as exciting to show an adult lmfaoo

also i looked it up and sadly looks like lufthansa doesn’t do the trading cards, maybe i’ll surprise them and ask for their signature or something instead lol

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zemelb@reddit

I’m in my 30s and had a pilot a few months ago who couldn’t have been more hyped to bring me into the cockpit and have me sit and take a picture in his chair lol. You’ll be good.

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grumpycfi@reddit

I've had adults and stuff, too. It's not weird. People are interested, excited, and want to share or learn. No reason to be ashamed or weird about that.

I know someone said after arrival but tbh we're usually the first off the plane. Preflight can be busy, but often we have spare time, so it's probably best to try to visit then. Ask the flight attendant about it as someone mentioned and they can come check with us.

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sniper4273@reddit

College age is still young enough to not be weird, IMO.

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PullDoNotRotate@reddit

Please do. The only time you're going to be under foot and in the way is if we're running late (a situation which is evident) or if a mechanic's around. But please do.

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Fishoutofbeer1@reddit

Not weird at all. If you’re into airplanes ask questions about the specific airplane and odds are one of them are happy to talk about it. I’ve never been annoyed by it personally, but I will say some people are very awkward about it for no reason. I love my job and I’m happy to show “behind the curtain” when people are interested.

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Mike93747743@reddit

Come on up.

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ItalianFlyer@reddit

We love visitors. It's how many of us got our passion for aviation. I personally prefer before the flight because depending on what's going on after, we may be on the way out pretty quickly. Just ask one of the flight attendants and if we happen to be busy with a briefing or checklist when you come up, I'll quickly mention to give us a second and we'll be right with you. Always happy to chat for a few minutes but yes eventually we do have to get going as well. On Delta many pilots carry aircraft trading cards so if you're looking for a souvenir ask for one. Since the trend went viral I know a lot of the other major airlines have started doing it too.

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flyingron@reddit

Just pop in there and say, "I just wanted to tell you both, 'good luck.' We're all counting on you." Best to do it after landing however.

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jjckey@reddit

I always enjoyed all visitors of all ages who wanted to visit the flight deck. Sometimes we would prefer visitors before flight ( if we have time and the flight is the last leg of a 4 day pairing) and other times after is better. As suggested, just ask if a visit to the flight deck is available. Just keep in mind that some flights it's not an option. Training going on is the more common cause of this

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DutchDK@reddit

As well as company Rules & Regulations. After 9/11 a lot of airlines implemented strict regulations on flight deck visits. Even if its now 24 years ago, there still are such R&R in place with a lot of airlines.

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greyrider245@reddit

Is your mom hot?

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Independent-Reveal86@reddit

That sort of thing is fine with me. My preference would be to arrange to come up at the end of the flight.

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Nivekevin7@reddit

Ask them what they do on their layovers!

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hey all! I’ve flown before with family but I’m going on my first ever solo flight in around 2 2 weeks. I’m super excited!!

I remember as a kid one time pre-flight I randomly got to meet the pilots and they had a cool souvenir. This upcoming flight I’d love to see the cockpit and hear if the pilots of my flight have anything cool to share or stuff they’d like to talk about. Also would be soo cool if I’m able to get a souvenir haha. I was wondering, do pilots appreciate stuff like this or will it just be an annoyance when you’re busy with pre-flight stuff? If it’s not annoying, what’s the best way to go about this?

thanks :)

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