Meeting the Pilot (Probably a Stupid Question)
 

I am flying tomorrow for the first time in 8 years from SFO to Maui (and flying over 2 hours for the first time in 25 years). I am terrified. As part of my work on getting over this phobia, it has been suggested that I meet the pilot and fess up no matter how embarrassing.

I did a search on "meeting the pilot" and didn't come up with much. I thought I read at some point in 168 page "Ask the Pilot" thread that UA was pretty open to passengers meeting the pilot.

Any suggestions on how to do this correctly? Should I talk to the person at the gate? Ask the flight attendant as I am boarding? Has anyone done this? I would suspect that most people on this board have no problem with flying and and thus probably haven't requested to meet the pilot. I am concerned if my request is not met, that I may bail on the vacation.

Thanks.

If you get to the gate early enough, you may be able you ask the gate agent if there's a chance to talk to the pilot before he/she boards, but in general, I would suggest asking the purser when boarding.

Welcome to FlyerTalk, laney64!:)^

I pop my head in the cockpit all the time just to say hi to the pilots (sometimes to check if Channel 9 is on). As you're boarding just ask the flight attendant if it might be possible to meet the pilot because you're scared of flying, and I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.

:D I have found what works for me in the past is to bring my toddler along and have her wear a pilot hat from the airline she is flying (usually Delta). I then have her run up to the flight attendant where she generally gets lots of ewwws and ahhhs and then I broach the subject about how neat it would be to get her picture in the cockpit.

I'm not afraid of flying though. So, I can't comment on that. I could cite all the statistics of how much safer it is than driving, but I am sure you know those already.

Have you thought about calling United customer service and asking how you might go about it? Alternately, there are some pilots and airline personnel on this forum- perhaps they can chime in.

I have a feeling that the vast majority of pilots would be happy to speak to a passenger who is fearful of flying. My strategy would be to speak to a flight attendant as soon as you get on board (before going all the way back to your row), let them know your concerns and have them ask the captain if it's OK for you to come up and speak to him.. sometimes the pilots are out milling around the galley area near the cockpit before the flight and you might even be able to address them directly... or if you're at the gate early enough you may see the captain and first officer as they arrive at the gate and you could approach them at that time.

I would not start off by saying you're not going to fly unless the pilot comes to talk to you as that sounds like a threat and it could cause problems.

When flying home (DCA), I generally stick my head in when boarding to ask if we are taking the river visual approach (I think that is the technical term) that winds down the Potomac. From the left side of the plane you have great views of G'town U, the Watergate and Kennedy Center and the monuments. They always seem to like the question.

I should also mention that this must be done on the ground, at the gate. I believe that once they push back the cockpit door must be locked.

Yes, ask as boarding. On some planes it is a bit crowded near the cockpit door but a 777 has plenty of room.

Actually your request is not too uncommon, passengers ask for many reasons (so no need to say why) and if the pilots are not pressed for time, many will accommodate the request.

Very good point.

I can understand how you'd feel embarrassed, but please know that no pilot will think less of you for "fessing up." It's the people who suffer in silence that really do a disservice to themselves. If the logistics work out well, and if there's time, I'm sure one of the pilots will be happy to chat with you. From what I've heard, just seeing that the pilots are regular people, with families, mortgages and all the rest seems to help white knucklers quite a bit.

As to mot29's point. . .

When flying home (DCA), I generally stick my head in when boarding to ask if we are taking the river visual approach (I think that is the technical term) that winds down the Potomac. From the left side of the plane you have great views of G'town U, the Watergate and Kennedy Center and the monuments. They always seem to like the question.

Sure, they are pleased when passengers take an interest in what they do and how things work. We all like it when people are curious about what we do and how we do it. And you're right, the river visual into DCA runway 19 (it used to be 18--does anybody know why it changed?) is a beautiful approach if you're sitting on the left side of the plane. It's a visual approach mainly because of the right turn that must be made into the runway after the 14th Street Bridge. That's why in low visibility situations you always come in the other way past Alexandria into runway 1 (it used to be 36--does anybody know why it changed?). It has full instrument approaches available.

They redesignated the runways in 1999, probably due to magnetic drift (magnetic variation changes over time) or a new survey. 3/21 also became 4/22 at that time.

Board as soon as you can, and once on the plane simply mention to the FA, or the purser if you can get up to the front of the plane, that you are a nervous flyer and would like to say hi to the cockpit. You may think it's embarassing, but I stop by and say hi quite often and have always been met warmly. You will find that stopping by and saying hello is an *excellent* way to help with your fear of flying-I'd bet that you walk back to your seat with much more confidence in who is flying your plane.

Be observant of the body language of the captain and FO...they are really busy (obviously) so after a few pleasantries be sure to wrap it up and not linger too long so they can get back to work making sure your flight is safe and sound.

Be sure to mention to him or her that you are a nervous flyer, should you expect any turbulence on the flight, and if they'll be having Channel 9 on. If they do have Channel 9 on (the audio channel where you can listen in on the cockpit during the flight), you might want to try to listening in, it can be very comforting especially for nervous fliers.

But don't be nervous about asking to say hi....it's very common and you should feel comfortable doing so if possible. Enjoy your flight and let us know how it goes!

I would also start by thanking them for all the effort they put in these days. This goes along way to them openly talking to you (and getting channel 9 turned on:) )

We have a winner (I knew it wouldn't take long with this crowd). It was magnetic drift according to "my son, the airline pilot." I'd never heard of it before, but he told me that it happens from time to time.

We live in Arlington, just off the river, and our kids grew up watching planes shoot the river visual. The one who's now a pilot could identify them by their tail markings from the time he was about four.

Calling aluminumdriver!