Non-rev pilot programs computer to save time
 

I wont mention the flight details, in case this isn't strickly by the rules.

A recent flight was delayed because the pilots were arriving late on another flight. The FAs and a non-rev captain entered the aircraft and the pax then boarded about 15mins later.

During boarding the non-rev captain was standing at the cockpit door welcoming the pax. About 30mins after everyone was seated, the flight crew arrived. The non-rev captain showed them his ID and a couple of print-outs from the little printer in in the cockpit, and then went back to sit down in coach.

We pushed back from the gate less than 10mins after the rostered flight crew entered the aircraft.

While taxiing, the captain apologized for the delay, and thanked the other UA pilot that had saved them at least 15mins in programming the computer. ^

^^ to that pilot!

While it worked out nciely for that flight, I can't imagine such a thing is SOP. Anyone with a fake ID badge reporgramming a trip computer?! Wouldn't sit too well with me and I'd hope that the actual crew would spend some time to make sure everything was kosher.

He was in uniform (although I suppose that would be easier to fake than the ID).

Perhaps the printouts contained information which informed them of that key data? No experience here (non-pilot) but I do often find it quicker to read than type....

While likely not SOP, I do admire the non-rev pilot for taking initiative, both in speeding up aircraft departure as well as welcoming its pax.

Pat

I've ridden many jumpseats (before 2001!) and this programming is straight-forward, but you have to know what you're doing, of course. The printout would have verified that the correct information is in place... and obvously it's the pilot-in-command's responsibility to verify all's OK. I don't see any risk here.

Definitely the right spirit!!! Sounds like the kind of thing you'd see on WN. Ultimately it's still the pilot's responsibility to make sure things are done right.

Wow. Nice! ^

Now imagine if the Union found out. :td:

After this incident I would be surprised if any airline tolerated deadhead crew loading FMS programming or any other aspect of pre-flight preparation.

Interesting read, but hardly a similar situation.

Agreed. All you have to do is pull up the LEGS page on the FMC to tell if the correct waypoints were entered and that any required vertical restrictions were in there. I'm sure the pilots rechecked the data before departing, but this procedure undoubtedly saved time, as the entry of a route can be time-consuming, as it also involves inputting projected winds aloft. I am certain as well that weights were checked and the resultant V speed calculations looked at; in any case, it is SOP for the two pilots to crosscheck the entries. Plus, you have to do this in two FMCs. Good for this guy in taking some initiative. ^

That was just purely disturbing...... :(

co-sign for the pilot helping out with the checklists!!! ^ ^ ^

Why would the union care?

These are unions you're talking about after all - they care about the most mundane and minute details that no one would possibly imagine. But mostly because anything out of the ordinary threatens "order."

Yes, I know. I've been a member of three of them in the past 15 years. I've never seen a union object to anything like this. There is no reason to object.

Aside from safety/union/etc. concerns here, I look at this from a customer service perspective.

Here we have a company that just emerged from an ugly bankruptcy and is trying to win in a highly competitive environment. The deadheading pilot, who also has a stake in UA's success, shows some initiative by preparing the flight, thus reducing the delay to customers. The customers recognize the extra care and may well tell others and/or remember that next time its time to purchase air travel.

This is exactly the kind of work that United needs from all employees. As a previous poster wisely pointed out, you'd expect this kind of approach from a WN pilot. It is a refreshing departure from the "not my job, I'm on my own agenda" we've seen too often from the airlines in the past.

Congratulations to that pilot for doing the little things that count!! ^ ^

I agree with PremExecSNA, but let's step back a little and see how or why some people would object to this. Perhaps the pilot who was trying to help did something wrong, or missed a step - then the finger-pointing game starts.

Could that be a potential reason?

I have seen this happen several times although while flying Continental. Continental has a late flight IAH-DEN (leave around 9:00 PM) and is known as the "crew flight" because it is typically filled with FA's and pilots on their way back home to Denver - a remnant of the days when CO had a hub in Denver. On several of these flights I have seen off-duty pilots head to the flight deck to pre-program and pre-set things for a late arriving crew. No one has ever seemed to have a problem with it and from what I gather most of the crew on these flights know each other quite well and thus are comfortable with this being done as they want to get home on time as much as anyone else.

:cool:

........unless the earlier pilot had united.bomb tech training. :eek:

Remember too that the captain who was helping out is going to be sitting on the flight, so he has a reason to get it right. I say thumbs up! ^

Fully agree with this statement, the guy surely had a good reason to get the FMS right ^ ;) ^ ^ ^

To all,

While not common for a deadheader to do this, it also isnt all that rare/prohibited. And certainly not a "union" issue.

Like others have posted, it is up to the working crew to verify everything that was entered. I am sure that the deadheading Captain briefed the pilots on just what he had done to facilitate the departure.

Probably the biggest time saver was loading the position into the FMC so the IRU's could align. An alignment process that takes 10 minutes. Also he could have pulled up the current departure ATIS/ desitnation ATIS/ ATC clearance via PDC...all on the ACARS. Little things that don't take long to do but when added up can save a couple of minutes. But again it is the repsonsibility of the new crew to VERIFY VERIFY....

Many times, when we bring in an airplane that is doing a quick turn, I will try to set up the following crew with radio freqs, initialize the ACARS (and pull up the above mention items) and possibly even begin the IRU alignment. I wouldn't load the route because: 1) I dont have a copy of the flight plan and 2) I might not be qualified on that aircraft (in the case of deadheading)and 3) Some things are better left done for the working crew to do to ensure a safe flight. All depends on how quick of a turn they are attempting. And others have done the exact same for me.

Hope that helps.

DC

Thanks for the info. The deadheading pilot did brief the captain, show him printouts etc. Certainly seemed to save 10-15 mins off the usual time it takes to get an airplane ready for departure.

It helps a lot. I hadn't even thought of IRU alignment time as an issue, so this makes even more sense to me.

If you are going to worry about somebody with a fake ID badge re-programming the flight deck computers, why dont you worry every time you board a plane... anybody with a fake ID and uniform could actually attempt to fly the plane posing as the captain?

Except he would need a fake id with the assigned crew members name, would need to make sure that the crew member he was replacing did not get to the gate or alert the airline that he was not going to make it, and not have chosen a crew member that was known by sight to the other crewmembers ("Hey you aren't Captain Jones!").

All in all, a very unlikely scenario without a lot of inside assistance.

Unless it was in an episode of 24!!