I'm an Airline Captain - Ask me anything!

[alexd112]

Hi all,

As the title says, I am a senior airline captain with 20 odd years of experience. Ask me anything!

@Kezzie200

I met my wife 4 years before I became a pilot. She still doesn't take me seriously and thinks I'm an idiot.

@Whatdoido2018

Nope, not me.

@Fluffyears

That's true.

@waterlego

see my response to the previous question re flight attendants in the cockpit. This procedure was already in place in many airlines and I believe it has been adopted by a lot more airlines since that terrible incident.

Alexd112 I fly part 91, perhaps respect of FAs with our lot isn't in their manual

@BonApp

I'm about halfway through my career and I'll certainly go over £200,000 by the end of it. That said, there are many airlines who do not pay that well at all.

@littlemisscomper

No, we don't generally know, and to be honest it wouldn't make a difference to me. My most famous passenger has been Rihanna - is she still famous?

@WorryingWombat

Tell him he probably gets far more enjoyment doing his joy flights than getting up at 4am in the midst of winter! He obviously has the skills and talented needed, so it's never too late to follow his dreams. I know of people who have changed careers in their 50's.

I presume 23R is in Manchester. Have done that plenty of times.

And yes, he's absolutely correct regarding the hydraulics - one is enough to get the airplane on the ground. It is considered an emergency situation to lose two systems although some combinations are worse than others , e.g a green and yellow failure (lots and lots of inoperative items).

Have you ever had a cabin pressure failure where the oxygen masks have had to be used? I always love the safety demonstration advice ‘place over the nose and mouth and breathe notmally’ Normally! Hell no i’ll be hyperventilating with intermittent sobbing!

@Coughy

Not that I've ever heard of, but I'm not brave enough to flush it while still sitting down. Oh, and another thing - don't sit down on an airplane toilet, it's absolutely disgusting!!

I've just flown long distance and found it unusual that the air hostesses were asked to sit down three times due to turbulence. I've flown quite a bit and it's maybe happened once before during bad turbulence but never three times. Seemed unusual and the turbulence wasn't that bad (nervous flyer so I'd notice if it was). Are there new regulations out that make it compulsory or just an extra careful pilot? It was over the UK and a very hot day so perhaps something to do with that?

@Fluffyears

Thankfully no, never had a scenario like that. However, the airbus has two pressurization controllers, so for both to malfunction would be extremely rare.

I was on an EasyJet flight that became delayed because of a drunken and abusive passenger who'd been abusive and dismissive of the female flight attendant - he'd shouted "who the f are you to tell me what to do". The pilot appeared and reminded the idiot that whilst indeed HE flew the plane, it was the FA that had the last word about passengers, so he was booted off. I loved seeing how supportive he was of the FA. Have you ever been in a similar situation?

On a flight from NYC we had turbulence for most of the flight and the crew were strapped in. I felt seriously queasy.

@Rememory

Occasionally I have directed the crew to take their seats more than once in a flight. It could be due to turbulence reports from aircraft ahead of us or forecast turbulence on the significant weather charts. Safety is key. The atmosphere changes so quickly that moderate turbulence reported by an aircraft 10 minutes ahead of you is no longer there when you actually reach that location, hence why it might not have seen too bad to you.

@Crwban

I have. I also have no tolerance for idiots who treat people with disrespect. They could also be a danger to themselves or to those around them in the event of an evacuation and therefore, off the plane they have to go. Have had plenty of unsavory characters, but a few beauties stand out!

I did a fearless flyer course - best thing I ever did! My 12 year old dd is obsessed with planes and says she would love to be a pilot - what advice would you give her? She struggles in maths unfortunately...

@savagebaggagemaster

Struggling with maths is not the end of the world. There's so much more to commercial aviation than being good at maths. A basic grasp of science and a reasonable result in maths would certainly suffice. Get her to take one or two flying lessons to make sure she has the skill, ability and genuine passion for it. Tell her to do team sports, enhance her leadership and teamwork, and when she is older and if still interested, get her to practice aptitude tests. Also, get her to think in 3D. I know it sounds weird, but that's how we think all of the time!!

If flying doesn't work out for her, I would also encourage a career in Air Traffic Control (NATS). Incredibly talented people.

Thanks @alexd112. I’m always a bit unnerved by the concept of auto-pilot but guess you’re trained to know when to jump in and hit the big red OVERRIDE button!

Thank you very much!

What's the best way to get into flying? My DS (12) has completed a flying course in a sim where he covered all the class based info he'd do to get his PPL & a lot of CPL work. His instructor (who's a harsh critic) said he's a natural & is in the top 8% of people who've completed the course.

He's obviously too young to get his PPl so hasn't been up in a plane yet but what would you advise would be the best route into the industry as he's determined he wants to be a pilot? Did you go straight into flying from school or did you go to college/uni? Did you pay for your flight training or did you go through an airline based program?

Loving all the questions. I also hate flying so it's good to read some of the info (& I think I must do quite a good job of hiding the fact with DS wanting to be a pilot)

Obviously that should've said PPL not PPI 🙄

Is it true that pilots on some budget airlines are v poorly paid? I chatted to one who said he was on zero hours for a budget carrier and earnt v little, would this be true?

Do the budget airlines generally have less experienced cheaper pilots? I usually pay more for better airlines as I hope I'm paying for a better pilot, is this silly?!

Sorry I'd thought you were a woman earlier, I wasn't directing my earlier question about flings at you, I meant the single crew members.

What has been your longest flight?

Also, if you've just flown long haul, how long do you stop off for?

What would happen if a passenger tried to open the emergency exit door during a flight? Would something stop it opening?