Cockpit Visit Request Etiquette
 

I've seen a lot of folks post pictures of themselves and their kids in the cockpit while the plane while on the ground. I'll be flying with my 6-year-old next week, and I think this would be a really cool experience for him.

What is the best practice in terms of making this request? I am assuming that I ask the gate agent about it prior to departure, but I figured I would ask if there are any dos and don'ts I should be aware of.

Thanks!

To minimize disruption I would only do this if you're seated in F (or ​​​​​​very close to the front of Y) and I would just ask the flight attendant once on board if it would be possible. They can then ask the captain.

I suppose you could ask a GA although they may just roll their eyes at you with one more thing to deal with.

And of course keep the context of the situation in mind, i.e. if the aircraft was late arriving and everyone is scrambling to turn it around then for the sake of everyone please don't bother at that time :)

there is really no real etiquette... well make sure you have child in hand..
ask the FA who greets you upon boarding the plane.. they will then ask the pilots,
most are very happy to do so... based on the time they may or may not have..
I have done it with my daughter about 16 times when she was younger..

When my kids were youngsters, typically they stopped by at the end of the flight.

I would avoid heading up there with out invitation during boarding, especially if you want to take photos. The crew could be busy setting up for the flight, dealing with MX, JSers, etc.

More often that not this request will be accommodated at the end of the flight if you just nicely ask the FA nicely when boarding or during the flight, as long as the pilots don't have a tight turn or need to make it to another flight. Before the flight they tend to get pretty busy with pre-flight checklist so it is less likely, although the FA may allow you to stick your head in real quick before boarding.

yet, some FTers say it is ok to storm the cockpit to question the lack of PDB ;)

Ask the FA at the right time. Not when she is stressed out of completing her pre-departure tasks.

definitely this! Otherwise, if you look anything like me, you'll be at Guantanamo shortly.

I can just about fill a photo album with pictures and videos of my daughter in the cockpit, and she's not even 6 yet :D

Agree to have the child with you, for sure - perhaps even prompt him/her to ask the pilot in her sweetest "pretty please" voice. ;)

We always board last anyways since we don't typically need overhead bin space, but I don't think it matters as long as you don't get in the way of boarding. I.e. don't go to your seat first and then try to go upstream to the cockpit - just ask right when you board the plane.

Personally I would recommend asking upon boarding, and NOT deplaning, because a lot of times the crew want to get the heck out of there too. But if you know they're on a turn, then it wouldn't be an issue. i.e. we did this while waiting for the air stairs to be connected in GCM recently, and the pilots were turning around to fly back to the U.S., so they were happy to oblige.

I've never been turned down, EVER. Not once. We have photos of her on AA, UA, AS, DL, and various regional jets.

As always though, YMMV.

If boarding somewhat early then just ask the FA. Or on deplaning. Before flight is preferred cause often I have to bail especially at a hub. I dont think ive ever denied anyone and love having pax up to say hey.

Even adults are welcome. Most of us are aviation geeks and enjoy the work, title, responsibility, and like to share that. Even if its not a good time and we have mx and delayed or whatever we wont be annoyed or offended might just say hey come up after the flight.

No need to ask gate agent, just the boarding door flight attendant they'll stick their head up in the cockpit and ask/tell us "you guys have a visitor".

I can clearly remember my disappointment the day my then 8 year old said just before boarding, ‘Dad I really don’t want to go and see the pilots this trip!’

Did this years ago when the kids were younger. We were flying FC and simply asked the FA if it was possible. They always asked and we were always allowed. The flight crews were awesome and allowed them to sit and even push one button which made some sort of alarm noise. It didn’t take long and they were kind enough to take pictures of both of us using our phone. One time there was some sort of issue that they were working on but they allowed it after we landed. For us it was a once and done with each kid.

You won’t be allowed if you don’t ask and asking always involves the possibility of a “No” so go for it!

Sounds like your daughter was the excuse to get you into the cockpit. :p Well done. I would do the same.

DM me your flight info and I will have my wife see if she can reach out to the crew on your behalf. Or even better, if she is your pilot.

I will second the notion that you don't need a kid with you ;)

Yours truly in the left seat of an AA 77W before JFK-LHR about 2 weeks ago.

We had a 2 hour mx delay after everyone boarded, I was in 1A, saw the cockpit door open back up and the crew was mostly just hanging out waiting for the fix. I asked the lead FA serving my side (who was great by the way) if I could see the cockpit, she asked the captain and it was no problem.

I initially just wanted to check it out and maybe have a quick chat with the crew, but the captain insisted I sit down and take a few pics, so why not.

They also asked if I wanted a quick look upstairs at the crew rest bunks above the F cabin which was neat to see in person as well :tu:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b8ce063a20.jpg

With Covid rules I think cockpit visits have mostly stopped. Certainly flying on Emirates F last year and Qatar Qsuites this year because of Covid rules I wasn't allowed in the cockpit.

However, the British pilot did come out on a crew changeover and spotted me playing MSFS on my laptop. I was flying the same route as I was on and we had a good 20 mins chat on SIDs, STARs and flying in general.