Is it ok to approach pilots and ask questions in public?
Posted by TotalSuspicious1241@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Hello, I have recently gone back to college and I know for my final paper in English I have to write a argumentative/persuasive essay and I would like to one related to aviation though I’m not sure on exactly what yet. I work in the airport and I frequently see pilots on the shuttle or in the parking lot and was wondering if it would appropriate for me to approach them and ask if they wouldent mind being interviewed to get some input from them on what ever specific topic I decide on later. Is it ok to just Approach and ask? I’d hate to bother them but having real input could be very useful for my paper.
GDK_ATL@reddit
I'd have no problem with it. If we're not doing flight related stuff, I don't think most guys would care. We might even be flattered. We used to say, "The only people impressed by pilots anymore are 12 year old boys." Everyone else is not impressed so...
TotalSuspicious1241@reddit (OP)
Well at least now a days I think a lot of women also pilots lol. Even if some of the rid reasons for doing so aren’t exactly… moral
pattern_altitude@reddit
What are you getting at?
TotalSuspicious1241@reddit (OP)
Making an observation from what I’ve seen?…
thundergun67@reddit
And what have you seen?
sharkbite217@reddit
That had literally nothing to do with anything in the comment you replied to
SilentPlatypus_@reddit
Asking a few questions is totally fine, but when you say "interview for an English paper" that sounds like something that's going to scare us. Pilots are easily-startled creatures when we're not in our protective cockpit burrows, and our entire career goal is to stay below the radar. You might get better luck creating a survey monkey and putting a link to it on pilot forums or pages. If you don't have to do a formal citation of their name and qualifications, then sure. Just keep it casual and say something like "Hey, I'm writing an English paper on whether or not ATC should be privatized/Boeing vs. Airbus/worst thing to eat at the beginning of a transcon/is ALPA good or bad for pilots/what's the biggest problem with newhire pilots these days/best airport in the US. Mind if I pick your brain?
(Some of those topics may more more dangerous than others on the employee shuttle)
anactualspacecadet@reddit
If you’re buying drinks u can ask as many questions as you want
poser765@reddit
The only things pilots love more than themselves and aviation is telling other people about themselves or airplanes.
So yeah go for it.
Hodgetwins32@reddit
Maybe just be a human, come at the conversation from the side like asking us how much we like hotel rewards programs. Just treat us like people and don’t come guns blazing.
Designer_Buy_1650@reddit
Absolutely. Just be aware they might have a schedule to meet and won’t be able to spend time. Additionally, photos need to be approved before taking. Good luck.
JustAnotherDude1990@reddit
Only if you arent asking if the earth if flat, because they will 100% get pissed and tell you they're going to fly this plane right off the edge.
KDFWCenterline@reddit
I love it when people come up to me and ask
Mike__O@reddit
Read the room (or the individual). If the dude is hustling along like he's trying to make his next flight there's a good chance the answer would be no. If he's just sitting around the gate scrolling waiting for a late jet to pull up maybe that's your shot. "Hey, I'm really interested in your profession, got a minute to talk?" is the right approach. Most of us like talking about what we do, but we also usually have places to be and things to do when we're at work-- and that's the important thing to remember. When you see a pilot in uniform at the airport, you're looking at a person who is at work. Approach it like you would approach anyone else in any other profession.