Pilots procedures
 

If a pilot mid flight has to use the restroom or leave the cockpit, does one cabin crew have to called and wait in the cockpit with the other pilot?
I always thought there had to be min 2 people in cockpit at all times. Just curious as was asked today and really not sure.

For most international flights there is usually a Captain, First Officer and a flight engineer. So there is usually at least two if one does need to use the restroom.

Flight engineer? They've not had one of those for years! All of EK's current fleet only require a 2 man crew.

On longer flights, there may be 2 sets of crew.

I don't think there is any rule that says that there must be more than one person in the cockpit. I know some airlines mandate it - but I don't believe EK are one of them.

There's a blast from the past! You would get 3 crew possibly on the odd occasion. On a recent flight from JFK-LHR an off-duty FO sat in the flight deck for the flight as there was no club seat available.

According to this CNN article, in the US FAA rules require that a cabin crew member stay in the cockpit when one of the pilots go out. I have no idea if Emirates or their governing body has such a policy, but I would imagine that there is a fair bit of commonality in safety rules between countries.

I think flight engineers disappeared with the retirement of 727s, DC10s, L1011s, and early generations of the 747.

I've seen the pilots use the restroom during the flight several times while flying F. Obviously the cockpit door has to be opened during this time and I've been asked by the purser to wait for a few seconds so that the door could be closed. I was told that due to security issues the crew have to ensure that there are no pax around near the cockpit door when it is opened.

Meanwhile, some airlines invite a passenger on descent to experience the approach/landing from the jump seat. On the other end of spectrum other airlines, whenever the cockpit door opens, service comes to a halt, then a flight attendant stands like a statue facing the aisle (with a straight face gazing at the end of the plane) almost like a lineman expecting an offensive.

I don't know the UAE's GCAA requirement, but coincidentally I am studying for the UK CAA/EASA Air Law exam at the moment for my PPL where I would imagine the the rules will be very similar if not the same, and it reflects my own anecdotal evidence.

It states that one pilot is at the controls at all times, and both pilots at the controls during take-off and landing.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/cap393.pdf ANO Article 93, section 1, part 10, page 5 if you're really that inclined.

Cheers, Howard

Which airline still invites passengers to experience the descent from the cockpit? Those days are long gone, I fear.

Not really. MEA still does it. Did that a little over year ago. Last year saw that happen to a fellow passenger too. What they do is just before descending the flight attendant approaches the passenger asking if they'd like to experience it from inside the cockpit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOijhR5IW4

Interesting.

RJ have just had crews suspended for allowing pax into the flight deck! It is a big no-no! Sad times I'm afraid.
The EK fleet have security cameras at different locations to visually check the identity of anyone attempting to access the flight deck. They can also check the surrounding area to ensure that it is clear of 'unauthorised persons'. There is a set proceedure in place for access/egress that for obvious reasons I won't post.

As for flight engineers......those were the days. If the cork in a bottle of vine in F or J was ever stuck, they had magical ways of ensuring the contents were accessible. At times it seemed that was their sole purpose ;-)