Pilots procedures
Mar 15, 2013 | 9:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 201
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.
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.
Mar 15, 2013 | 9:49 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Scotland, Spain
Programs: Skywards Gold, Amex Plat, SkyTeam Silver
Posts: 1,404
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.
Mar 15, 2013 | 11:23 am
#3
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 19,797
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.
Mar 15, 2013 | 11:47 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Scotland, UK
Programs: British Airways Exec Club Gold, Emirates Skywards Blue
Posts: 227
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.
Mar 15, 2013 | 1:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred
Posts: 3,617
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 think flight engineers disappeared with the retirement of 727s, DC10s, L1011s, and early generations of the 747.
Mar 15, 2013 | 3:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards silver :-(, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,572
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.
Mar 15, 2013 | 4:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,153
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.
Mar 15, 2013 | 6:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In the sticks
Programs: VS FC Gold, BA EC Gold, Amex Centurion, EK Gold, ex-G-ATVK driver
Posts: 2,294
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
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
Last edited by Howard Long; Mar 15, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Mar 16, 2013 | 1:57 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,944
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.
Mar 16, 2013 | 3:20 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,153
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOijhR5IW4
Mar 16, 2013 | 3:40 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,944
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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOijhR5IW4
Mar 17, 2013 | 12:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,727
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 ;-)
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 ;-)