One of the most wanted activities at the past DO's was the opportunity to use CO's flight simulators. Several years before 9/11, United and Lufthansa allowed the public to pay for time in their sims. A friend and I went to Franfurt and bought 2 hours in a 747 and flew into and out of many worldwide airports as we tested each other on various flying conditions (blizzards, engine failures, wind sheer, etc.) and really enjoyed it. After 9/11, naturally, those public uses shut down.

However, there remained one outfit in the US that did allow the public to buy time in their flight sims, Alteon, which has offices and sims in several different US cities. Yes, you have to provide them personal data beforehand. The problem was that their database of airports on board is limited, unless you specifically request certain ones to be added well in advance. However, all my previous attempts to see if any of the airlines were allowing public use of their own sims have proved negative. Until now.

BA has now opened up their sims to the public wishing to buy time. See this article for a reporter's experience:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/dx2acx

"One-hour flights cost £399 in the 737-400 simulator. If you’re flash, the 747s and 777s cost £449. Three-hour flights are also available, but surely one hour is exhausting enough. Call 020 8513 3472 or visit ebaft.com"

I don't know if BA allows for time-sharing, as my friend and I did in Frankfurt.

So, the question, in this time of nickel and dime'ing passengers for almost every little thing, is - if Alteon and BA can do it, should CO look to work something with Homeland Security so that the approved members of the public can buy time in their sims in order to make a some extra revenue when their sims are otherwise idle? This assumes that there is idle time for their sims.