OT: Really?!? There was a really good thread a few years back in Trip Reports on reminiscences about flight decks visits while airborne, and almost all of the posts were about pre-9/11 flights. The discussion included speculation about whether any carriers even allowed this anymore and I don't think there many exceptions to the new.

If you know of airlines that still allow this, either as a matter of policy or of courtesy, please let us know! :-:

There has to be a happy medium. I don't think the post-9/11 security measures (kippie bags, shoes off, pat-downs, bans on snoglobes, etc.) make us any safer. It's all theatre, of course. Baggage x-ray...okay, understandable. But short of body cavity searches, I don't see how you can assure perfect safety.

While not openly inviting pax to visit the cockpit, my last few flights on Aeromexico and a recent flight on Aerolineas Argentina operated the entire flight with the cockpit doors wide open.

Granted these are both "third-world" airlines but it was somewhat strange nevertheless.

I can't speak for Aerolineas but to call them "third-world" airlines really bothers me. That's a very ethnocentric view you have. Did you know that Mexico is not even considered a third-world country?

I don't really see how anyone can seriously compare a domestic flight in New Zealand with a domestic flight from BOS-LAX.

First, a transcon in the US is the equivalent of crossing multiple countries is most of the world.

Second, the US is actually a target of terrorism (the "why" is another discussion altogether). I don't recall hearing about any plots to wipe out a sheep farm near Christchurch.

That's why I put "third-world" in quotes.

I don't consider either country to be as developed as the US.

Whether that makes them first, second or third world is debatable but the fact that their airlines often fly with open cockpit doors is bizarre.

While I don't think Mexico is third world country at this point, I certainly don't think it's first world either. Maybe we can compromise and call it second world.

A part of me loves this idea, even on a trial basis. ^

It's not the terrorist we need to fear. Obviously they have a (what was the detection failure rate anyway?) 95% chance of getting something onboard without a lot of effort. I think it is the odd whackjob who decides it's time to check out and wouldn't it be cool to take a plane load of people with me. Now they go shooting up college campuses, or high schools, or just take their family and kids with them. Imagine if airplanes were suddenly easily available for use by anyone with a grudge. That's my hesitation. As useless as the checkpoints are they probably slow down the local loon.

The airline I was refering to is Austral, which is owned by Aerolineas Argentinas. I wouldn't call Argentina or Austral 3rd world, but the fleet of MD-80s were showing their age. :D Now that I think of it, Aerolineas proper did this as well on their new 735, but they shut the door about halfway through the flight.

Several passengers went onto the flight deck with cameras. I was a little shocked seeing it at first, but I laughed at it afterwards.

Argentina is a great country.

Many years ago, I used to fly regularly from SFO to LAX. Here is how I did it:

1. Got myself to SFO.
2. Walked up to a counter in the terminal and paid cash for a ticket to LAX.
3. Went to the gate to wait for the announcement.
4. When the flight was announced, walked out onto the tarmac.
5. Climbed up the stairs which had been brought against the plane.
6. Found my seat and sat down.

I am not making this up.

First world countries pay their debts.

I've done the exact same thing as you. Additionally, I've taken some domestic Australian flights were no security was involved. I don't have any problems with it for some of the regional airports here in the US, but I feel a level of sensible security is needed on routes outside of the regionals.

Overseas, I've seen a lot of interesting things since 9/11. Life goes on, you can't live in fear. Unfortunately it was a major tragedy, but for those who use the 9/11 argument, in a free country such as the USA there will always be risk. The risk can't be eliminated completely. Risk management procedures can be put into place without giving up civil liberties, but the DHS/TSA and company seem to want 100% risk avoidance despite their double-speak about risk management.

It's sad to see US Customs and Border Patrol power trip on US citizens during re-entry while we have a huge southern border anyone can get across. Same applies to the Canadian border, but I don't see it as much as an issue (aside from Canada's open door migration policy) since the only way in is by air and Canadian immigrations seem to do a decent job. Mexico -- Anyone can get into Mexico and slip across the border. It's not like Mexico has strict passport control at their points of entry combined with their southern border.

Many non US carriers aren't completely paranoid about things such as blocking the aisles when the cockpit door opens. FWIW, I've been on flights where the cockpit door was left open much of the flight while a jumpseater up front and an FA spoke to each other.

I've experienced the open cockpit doors on KLM intra-EU flights on their 737s.

I have run into the same thing when flying on small craft going through the Canadian Arctic... no screening, cockpit door left open.

And before you say but there is nothing in the arctic, there are plenty of military establishments and NORAD bases/radar stations etc. Maybe the Inuit and Dene just aren't as paranoid as the rest of our continent.

I did that on the Concorde, too -- post 9/11. (See link.) How wonderful not to be subjected to the paranoia of the TSA and US-based airlines!