Cool "In Person" Pre-flight Pilot Welcome
 

Thought this was kind of cool. Last week was flying B6 BUF-JFK (I fly this route 2-3 times per month to connect with AA International flights out of JFK) I've always found B6 to be absolutely great on service (much more so than AA these days) but on this flight, I found yet one more example/reason why I love these guys. So, the doors were closed and we were ready to go when the pilot takes the microphone near the front galley and proceeds to do his introduction, welcome and pre-flight spiel right there in the aisle in full view of all pax! I've never seen that before (maybe I lead a sheltered life) but I found it pretty neat that he'd be out there talking to us "in person" if you will, instead of as a disembodied voice from behind a locked door. It was a really nice way for him to connect the airline to the passengers in a really personal way. Too often I've seen pilots on flights who seem to display a kind of "I'm no mere mortal" persona, whereas this guy was as down-home affable as you can get. It was a really nice personal moment that will stay with me for a while, and reinforces my overall positive perceptions of the entire B6 experience.

That's an interesting story. B6 crews are notorious for being candid and professional at the same time. I can remember on my last B6 flight the pilot came on the PA and instead of the usual speil he joked around and made it entertaining and informative at the same time. JetBlue really is a fun airline to fly on, glad you had a good experience.

Never had an "in-person" briefing before from a pilot (well, at least not a commercial airline), but earlier this year, I had the most thorough brief earlier this year.

American Airlines, DFW-LAX. Capatain introduced himself, proceeded to tell us how long he had flown for American, how many years on the airplane type (a 767), and what he did before joining AA (Air Force). He then did the same for the First Officer. He proceeded to tell us what a great airplane the 767 was, how much fuel was on board, what out take off speed was going to be, etc. etc. Then he gave detailed route of flight information.

I haven't heard anything like is since. Guess I haven't flown with that captain since then.

I believe this is often called stalling (trying to have us not notice that we are still at the gate). I watched on poor FA who was trying sooo hard she explained not only the "normal stuff" but also showed people how to turn the light on and off, how to adjust their air thiny and the topper was SHE DEMONSTRATED HOW TO USE THE WINDOW SHADE. I was waiting for her to read us the ingredients on the snack packages next *smile*

Needless to say we had been sitting on the tarmac a while!

On United flight last week, ORD-DCA, the captain actually stood in the front as were were de-planing and handed out airplane trading cards. Thought it was kind of cool.

I can't recall if we were at the gate, or not. I guess we must have been? I really can't remember. I've been "stuck" at the gate so many times and have never seen any "stalling" stuff.

Check out the United forum for Captain Bob.

That's who I thought the thread title was referring to.

A few years ago when I was doing the SEA-EWR shuttle and a dinner flight, CO125, was my regular ride back home, a great CO captain on that run used to emerge from the cockpit as boarding ended and do his preflight welcome standing at the front of first class. He was a youngish blond guy and he always made a point of saying he was .. "STANDING... at the front of the aircraft... to welcome you aboard Continental Flight 125 to Seattle." I had him several times. One time as he was talking about flight time and routing some kind of gorgeous, slinky supermodel wafted on board and down the aisle back into coach. We both looked, then his eyes met mine and he shot me the funniest deadpan look.. and his announcement never faltered. Great guy.