OK, I'll bite - what DO pilots get fed on UA - Do you get solid food on flights where passengers don't. Do you get first pick of F meals, or do you get special meals for pilots only?
We get crew meals when the specifics of the flight meet certain criteria, including what time we started in the morning, how long the flight is, and how long a break we had scheduled before the flight. We can preference what type of meals we want (similar to special meals), and the quality is roughly equivalent to a C class meal, but maybe not quite as interesting. I have cereal for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a regular meal for dinner (most often steak). I doubt there's a United pilot out there that isn't tired of our crew meals. On the international flights, I will sometimes have a leftover F meal (after the FAs have taken their pick, since that's their only choice), just for a little variety.
1) I once got a signed card from the pilot on a flight to or from HNL. I was in F. I thought it was really cool, especially because I was only PremExec. Do you do that often? Is there only time on 5+ hour flights, or is it ever done on shorter flights?
It's not done very often, unfortunately. As an F/O I haven't done it, since it isn't quite the same coming from the F/O and would tend to create issues with the captain.
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2) On a recent (Dec 30) flight from Chicago, the pilot came out when we were parked at the gate, after gate de-icing, and looked closely at each wing/engine (stuck his head right against the window). It was snowing. What might he have been looking at? It was a 767.
Any time we have been de-iced and precipitation continues to fall, we must inspect the wings from the cabin within 5 minutes of takeoff. Basically, we're looking for a clean, even surface with no evidence of ice or snow, and no grainy particles in the de-icing fluid.
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3) On the same flight, I sat next to an Airbus pilot. I was in coach. Flights were packed. I should have asked her, but she looked very tired and didn't seem like she wanted to chat. I didn't want to bother her. But on de-planing I asked if she was going home or flying that night (~8:30 arrival in LAX). She said neither, but she was flying the next day. is it unusual for a pilot to fly on Coach and/or to stay overnight for a morning flight? Seemed strange, though X-mas can be a crazy time and the flight was packed.
Over 60% of our pilots commute, so it's not uncommon at all. When we're commuting, we ride in whatever seats are left over (including middle Y seats of course), or in the cockpit. It's also possible she was deadheading, which would be at the direction of the company, and still almost always in coach.
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Originally Posted by gumpfs
We're aware that we might encounter wake turbulence, and you might fly slightly high on the glideslope to avoid it, but that's about it.
But wasn't wake turbulence a (significant?) factor in causing the crash of AA587 in 2001, and US427 in 1994? Then again, I know the official NTSB finding was "pilot error" for AA587...
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Originally Posted by gumpfs
I'm based at SFO and live in the city.
You should join us at one of our (many) SF- or EasyBay DOs, then! I'm sure your drinks, and possibly meals, will be more than covered by the rest of the attendees! Keep an eye on the CommunityBuzz! forum for DO announcements, including the (soon-to-be) upcoming East Bay DO 3.
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Originally Posted by gumpfs
but otherwise all our communications are done via datalink.
I guess that makes Channel 9 fairly boring on the 777, doesn't it? Or is there still sufficient radio traffic?
Wow, i'm off FT for a couple of weeks and what a pleasant surprise it is to see such spirited Q&A from some of our best flight crew. Call me a cheerleader all you want, but this goes to demonstrate the caliber caliber of folks we have at United.
Thanks pilots for contributing and answering all these questions. It certainly brings some of the excitement back to air travel for many of our frequent and best customers. Keep up the good work!
Liz, I'm expecting that you're going to start a flight attendant Q&A thread!
__________________
The thing I miss about Air Force One is they don't lose my luggage. - President George Bush Sr.
I am half way through this thread and its riveting . I will have some questions, but feel I need to read the whole (ever growing) thread first.
Thank you to the pilots taking the time to share their world with us .
My most favourite flying experience was in the 1980's (when I worked for Ansett), I was on a NRSA ticket and the plane was full - no F class for me. I was allowed to fly in the jump seat in the cockpit. WOW . That was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Only happened once but it was a memory I have never forgotten. I also was thrilled when I was able to take my (then) 2 yr old daughter up to the cockpit to see the plane during flight. I dont think she remembers, but she has experienced what now is not allowed.
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Originally Posted by aluminumdriver
From what I can see, the airlines really don't care much for the FFDO program. They don't do anything to help the pilots get trained. Just so everyone knows, it takes a 7 day trip to NM at the pilot's expense to get trained as an FFDO. Then you are required to do recurrent training every 6 months, again at your own time and cost. I don't want to get into how many pilots are FFDO's, but it would be more if they would make it easier for us to attend.
It is nice if one of the pilots is an FFDO, but I really don't lose any sleep over it. The cockpit door being fortified is the big safety issue.
That is brutal! What is the largest number of armed passengers you have had on a flight?
I had one 737 pilot friend who was flying in to SLC for the 2002 Olympics full of FBI and others. If I remember correctly he said there were something like 75 firearms for 100 passengers! I'd hate to a terrorist on that flight....probably cause of death - acute lead poisoning!
OK, I'll bite - what DO pilots get fed on UA - Do you get solid food on flights where passengers don't. Do you get first pick of F meals, or do you get special meals for pilots only?
Pilots get fed based upon their contract. Certain hours and lengths of flights you get meals boarded for you, otherwise we're buying our own food in the terminal.
We don't eat the FC meals. They are special meals boarded for us, and we can choose from various things, like a normal meal, salad, fish, kosher, hindu, stuff like that.
1) I once got a signed card from the pilot on a flight to or from HNL. I was in F. I thought it was really cool, especially because I was only PremExec. Do you do that often? Is there only time on 5+ hour flights, or is it ever done on shorter flights?
2) On a recent (Dec 30) flight from Chicago, the pilot came out when we were parked at the gate, after gate de-icing, and looked closely at each wing/engine (stuck his head right against the window). It was snowing. What might he have been looking at? It was a 767.
3) On the same flight, I sat next to an Airbus pilot. I was in coach. Flights were packed. I should have asked her, but she looked very tired and didn't seem like she wanted to chat. I didn't want to bother her. But on de-planing I asked if she was going home or flying that night (~8:30 arrival in LAX). She said neither, but she was flying the next day. is it unusual for a pilot to fly on Coach and/or to stay overnight for a morning flight? Seemed strange, though X-mas can be a crazy time and the flight was packed.
FT is a better place with this thread here
1) Back when labor relations were good, the company liked the pilots sending back business cards to our FC passengers to thank them for their business. Now, because the company wants it, and the pilots are very unmotivated in doing any company business, they don't really do it anymore. It's not that we don't appreciate your business, it is more a lack of motivation to do it at this time.
2) By FAA regulations, we are required to have a "clean wing" aircraft for takeoff. So, after we de-ice, if there has been more precipitation, a pilot has to come back just before takeoff to check the wings and icing fluid to make sure it is still good. We can use a deadheading pilot in the back if one is available, but it has to be checked.
3) This pilot could have been just jumpseating to this place to get ready for her trip the next day. A lot of pilots are commuters like I am where we have to travel up to start our trips. Or, she could have been on a trip and was being repositioned to start another trip the next day. Where we sit is again based on our contract. Longer intl trips we get FC seats. Domestic trips we usually sit in E+.
I am half way through this thread and its riveting . I will have some questions, but feel I need to read the whole (ever growing) thread first.
Thank you to the pilots taking the time to share their world with us .
My most favourite flying experience was in the 1980's (when I worked for Ansett), I was on a NRSA ticket and the plane was full - no F class for me. I was allowed to fly in the jump seat in the cockpit. WOW . That was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Only happened once but it was a memory I have never forgotten. I also was thrilled when I was able to take my (then) 2 yr old daughter up to the cockpit to see the plane during flight. I dont think she remembers, but she has experienced what now is not allowed.
I remember doing that as a little kid as well. Unfortunately post 9-11, no one can come up to the cockpit during flight anymore. Flying just isn't as exciting anymore from a passenger or pilot perspective anymore.
That is brutal! What is the largest number of armed passengers you have had on a flight?
I had one 737 pilot friend who was flying in to SLC for the 2002 Olympics full of FBI and others. If I remember correctly he said there were something like 75 firearms for 100 passengers! I'd hate to a terrorist on that flight....probably cause of death - acute lead poisoning!
Really don't want to name numbers of armed passengers, these are open boards. But I'd say a large number of flights have armed folks onboard, from FAMS to FFDO's to Law Enforcement Officers traveling onboard.
But wasn't wake turbulence a (significant?) factor in causing the crash of AA587 in 2001, and US427 in 1994? Then again, I know the official NTSB finding was "pilot error" for AA587...
You should join us at one of our (many) SF- or EasyBay DOs, then! I'm sure your drinks, and possibly meals, will be more than covered by the rest of the attendees! Keep an eye on the CommunityBuzz! forum for DO announcements, including the (soon-to-be) upcoming East Bay DO 3.
I guess that makes Channel 9 fairly boring on the 777, doesn't it? Or is there still sufficient radio traffic?
Wake turbulence is a much more known about issue for pilots now versus back in the 70's and 80's. We have precautions we take when we follow certain aircraft. If we follow a large heavy aircraft, we'll put a little more space between us and fly above their flight path to stay above the turbulence. If we are taking off, we'll sit and wait for the larger plane to depart and let the wake dissipate before taking off. Sometimes atmospheric conditions might make a wake stay around a little more and you find yourself in it. If on final, we might do a go-around and set up again if it is bad. On takeoff, you just kind of offset into the wind to get away from it. You also get little clues in the jet when you're about to get into the wake, kind of a wallowing feeling and if you act fast enough with power, you get out of it before you even encounter it.
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Going To Work
I understand flight crew don't have to live in their base city. So if for instance a flight crew member is ORD based, but lives in say CLE and they fly in the night before they report to work, does UA pick up their hotel room? I know a lot of pilots & FAs share living space, would they just room with friends?
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Originally Posted by freshairborne
One old adage goes something like, "the time in the cockpit is large stretches of boredom punctuated with moments of stark horror", or some such thing, certainly, not true to those extremes, but also not entirely without merit.
Maybe Orson Welles was a pilot...See my signature. Had it since I joined almost 5yrs ago!
Nice to see your contributions here, thanks
__________________ 'There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror' - Orson Welles
I understand flight crew don't have to live in their base city. So if for instance a flight crew member is ORD based, but lives in say CLE and they fly in the night before they report to work, does UA pick up their hotel room? I know a lot of pilots & FAs share living space, would they just room with friends?
LOL, no they don't. If you commute, all costs of commuting are borne by the employee. That is why so many live in crashpads with lots of roommates. I don't have too many nights so I just purchase hotel rooms 3 or 4 nights a month.
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Just wanted to add my appreciation to the pilots for answering all the questions. My family has very close ties to aviation, and that's partly why I enjoy being in my eighth year as being 1K.
I love chatting with deadheading pilots (if they're in the mood to chat, I respect if they give signs that they would just rather read or sleep).
One question/favor though to the pilots. Watch it when you walk across Quebec Street to get to the Doubletree Hotel, okay? Been a couple of you guys who have cut it close. I love interacting with pilots, but wouldn't want it to be for THAT reason.
Keep up the great work on this thread and in the cockpit.
Keep an eye on the 
. I will have some questions, but feel I need to read the whole (ever growing) thread first. 
.
