Originally Posted by
FlyFastLiveSlow
Next time, ask them how the flight was and thank them for flying your airline even though you both know they didn't choose or buy the ticket themselves.
FYI - many international cargo companies position their pilots commercially. You think a domestic coach ticket for a NJA pilot is expensive, you should see how much a business class ticket from New York to Hong Kong goes for - last minute, of course.
These pilots often (almost always) travel out of uniform too, and they have travel banks, so they often do choose which airline to fly (within reason).
I doubt many of them stick their heads into the flight deck, but I never see threads like this in the cargo forum. I guess it is all about wearing the uniform, honestly. You just look too much like a jumpseater, I guess.