Asking questions to airline pilots that are with their family
Posted by Federal-Routine-5910@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 35 comments
I’m curious on what everyone thinks about situations like these. I’m sitting with a couple of my friends in our dining hall and next to us is a touring family for my college. The dad asks us what our majors were and we mention how we’re aviation students. We ask what they do for a living and he mentions he’s an airline pilot.
In situations like these, to me, it seems sort of out of place to ask for advice or asking the dad questions about his career and how he got there. He’s with his family and eating lunch, it would be kind of rude to start asking these questions in this setting.
Now, if he was by himself or at an event for aviation it would be fine in my opinion to ask these questions, well since, we both have this commonality.
What do the airline pilots think, would you mind? Not mind? What are some questions that would go well in this situation?
Grand_Raccoon0923@reddit
He is a pilot, he wants to tell you all about it.
itsyournameidiot@reddit
Honestly guys at airlines are the most out of touch on how to get to an airline anyways. Let him have his peace.
Theytookmyarcher@reddit
Let's be real. There is nothing that makes most of these guys happier than getting asked a genuine question and being able to just go off without interruption.
SnazzyStooge@reddit
“Just get your commercial license and get hired by a regional”
Few-Panda7558@reddit
You are 100% correct with this. I’ve asked many working pilots and almost every one of them has had a different answer.
nkawtgpilot@reddit
That’s probably because all of them took a different route to get there. There’s no one answer. Some dudes did active duty military, some did guard or reserves. Some folks did the CFI thing, others flew checks. Lots of ways to skin the cat and no one way is right
Few-Panda7558@reddit
I asked a big question a while back. If you dont go cfi will it hurt your chances or getting hired. Many said yes. I know a guy who just got hired at tradewinds in the right seat of a pc12 at only 500 hours no CFI experience or anything, just building time. He will probably have no problem getting into the airline when the time comes.
Skynet_lives@reddit
Yeah the pathway has changed a ton over the years. Of the dozen or so airline pilots I am familiar with only 3 or 4 CFIed. The rest flew checks, did aerial photography, power line patrol, or went straight to medivac or regionals.
Most of those jobs have completely dried up, mins changed, or are significantly smaller.
Suuuumimasen@reddit
As a airline pilot I would love somebody outside of the airport to ask me about my job.
80KnotsV1Rotate@reddit
Sir, can you tell me where baggage claim is?!
fatespawn@reddit
He knows you're aviation students and then proceeds to tell you he's an airline pilot? He's open to talking. Just read the room. If he cuts his answers off short, he's not interested in talking about it. If he engages, ask him questions.
anonymous4071@reddit
They asked, he didn’t volunteer it freely.
fatespawn@reddit
But he didn't say "I'm in high speed aluminum tubing" or "bus driver". It's ok to have conversations with people - especially considering the DAD is in a dining hall touring a college with his kid. Honestly, I'd ask his wife more question than him. "How do you like his schedule?"
21MPH21@reddit
he didn't lie or tell a fun inside joke but that doesn't mean he wanted to discuss. Maybe ask a question, then read the room
fatespawn@reddit
Sure. If he didn’t want to talk about it, he didn’t have to. That doesn’t mean he didn’t open the door for at least a question.
21MPH21@reddit
He's a pilot, give him a second. It falls outta my mouth when I want people to know
So yeah, if he didn't volunteer this info then I'd leave him alone. If he wanted to talk about it he'd have dropped that conversation starter
Ok-Door-4991@reddit
Yeah I wouldn’t care answering a few questions, we have all been there..
PostVertigo@reddit
I personally never care regardless of who I’m with. If I can’t talk or have to cut the conversation, I simply say that and people generally understand.
But also, the path is never linear so comparing/sharing stories of how I got there vs others really won’t have much substance.
Having said that, if he talked to you guys first, then there really isn’t an issue with a few small questions and just reading the room when it’s time to cut it short.
SRM_Thornfoot@reddit
When is there ever a time a pilot doesn't want to talk pilot.
TemporaryAmbassador1@reddit
Ask, might wanna chat, might not.
IndependenceSouth274@reddit
Everyone is over thinking this. Most ppl are kind and wouldn’t mind briefly engaging in some mentorship with a stranger, even if with their families. Don’t belabor the conversation, be cognizant of when it’s time to end the encounter. He literally asked you what your major is. Stop being weird, have a normal human conversation. It’s not rude to ask him for 1-2 pieces of advice. If he says “just have fun!”, you know the conversation is over. If he elaborates and the vibes are friendly, then talk, and thank him and his family for their time 5 mins later.
Damn, ppl are weirdos these days. I’m an airline guy, former military, have 4 kids. Im almost never too busy to have a brief conversation (and certainly never above it) with a kid that sees my career as his dream life. Get a grip ppl, airline pilots aren’t celebrities.
Mackin-N-Cheese@reddit
Exactly this, I don't understand all the "Leave him alone, he's with his family!" comments.
He started the conversation, it seems perfectly reasonable to continue it for a bit, just like you say.
fender8421@reddit
People forget nuance exists as well. "Oh cool! Any advice?" is way different than badgering twenty questions.
Heck, maybe the family is just excited for him to have somebody else to talk aviation too since they're tired of hearing it lol
anonymous4071@reddit
Because he asked a question probably trying to get information relevant to their child’s degree. Assuming they were looking at the school for aviation, he probably would have continued the conversation
If he didn’t continue it, leave the guy alone with his family.
anonymous4071@reddit
Some of us enjoy being present with our families. No one thinks they’re a celebrity. Some people just don’t want to field questions when they’re not working. Fairly reasonable take.
IndependenceSouth274@reddit
Almost all of us enjoy being present with our families lol. My wife has smiled graciously many of time while I hand a kid my patch off my flight suit, or talk to a ROTC kid about flying, or engage with a family whose kid wanted to talk to me because they know I fly. It’s not that serious to have a 3 min friendly conversation with the next generation of pilot, even if out with your family. God knows I’m grateful for the countless people that “wasted” time with young and impressionable me when I was up and coming. To each their own tho.
Mrs_Fagina@reddit
"Hello sir, I hear the divorce rate amongst pilots is higher than the national average. I noticed you're here with your wife. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd if I may ask?"
UnhingedCorgi@reddit
“Oh she’s a flight attendant? 2nd, then.”
andrewrbat@reddit
Just offer to give your phone number or email and he can call or text you if he has time to answer some questions. Id be happy to do it, but when it’s convenient.
nickjohnson@reddit
If he started the conversation, a couple of follow on questions don't seem unreasonable. Just be conscious of not intruding unduly.
TheGacAttack@reddit
So he asked you a question first? Sounds fine to continue the conversation. Just be mindful of queues that he's concluding the conversation.
anonymous4071@reddit
That’s just a man who’s doing something with his family and happens to be in a specific career.
You’ve got the right idea. Let him be with his family.
My idea is that if i’m in uniform, ask away. If I’m doing my best to not look like a pilot, leave me be.
BagOfMoneyNoChange@reddit
I mean I'd rather not be bothered when I'm out with family. But that's just me. Everyone is different.
prex10@reddit
If he's with his family. Leave him alone.
If he's there to represent his company, then ask away
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’m curious on what everyone thinks about situations like these. I’m sitting with a couple of my friends in our dining hall and next to us is a touring family for my college. The dad asks us what our majors were and we mention how we’re aviation students. We ask what they do for a living and he mentions he’s an airline pilot.
In situations like these, to me, it seems sort of out of place to ask for advice or asking the dad questions about his career and how he got there. He’s with his family and eating lunch, it would be kind of rude to start asking these questions in this setting.
Now, if he was by himself or at an event for aviation it would be fine in my opinion to ask these questions, well since, we both have this commonality.
What do the airline pilots think, would you mind? Not mind? What are some questions that would go well in this situation?
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