I'll try this again, since the mods moved my last one
In light of the Jet Airways, empty cockpit incident....
https://nypost.com/2018/01/04/co-pil...-chaos-ensues/,

The German Wings crash,

I'm wondering if the FAA has required foreign carriers operating in U.S. airspace to comply with the no lone pilot rule.

Watched a cockpit video last week of an South African Airbus on arrival transition, where a flight attendant was buzzed in after just ringing.

This seems like a gaping whole in US airspace security, with all the foreign heavies flying into major U.S. cities...not to mention a competitive disadvantage for U.S. carriers that must staff or interrupt cabin service for a pilot pee pee.

 

I think some of the EU and ME carriers do. Their pilots think it’s stupid and ineffective, but what do they know.

GF

 

Competitive disadvantage due to differing pee break procedures🙄 I’d like to see the cost analysis on that one.


You know Peter, when the wolf really comes no one will listen...

 

I know it was possible in the US to work without disrupting any passenger service, if you had (at least) three cameras observing the area outside the flightdeck door and an electronic door lock with the required fail safe technology. One of the majors used that before germanwings on, i believe their 777 fleet. They quickly changed it, but i do not know if the regs have changed as well.

In europe there is no rule that always two persons have to be in the flightdeck if those conditions are fulfilled. The EASA initially recommended it, but after a year and a lengthy safety study that recommendation was rescinded and most if not all carriers went back to the old lone pilot rule. Pretty much every airline operating from or in germany is now back on the lone pilot SOP with the huge exception of ryanair, simply for the reason that they buy the most basic airplane configuration possible which doesn't include the camera system, door locking or even ACARS/datalink.

Since 9/11 i have never flown in an aircraft that didn't have cameras or doors that can comfortably opened from each pilot seat while observing that the area in front of the flightdeck door is clear and who wants to enter. Absolutely no need to get a flight attendant inside, they're better outside guarding the galley from passengers during those bio-breaks.

 

There are lone pilots in a airliner cockpit all the time at my company, so I guess your least worry is the foreign guys. Almost all the time domestically unless a LCA is on board, when anyone goes to the head.

 

And you work for a US airline? That surprises me. In every airline I’ve worked for they take that very seriously.

 

It might be a lone pilot with a flight attendant in the cockpit

 

No flight attendants at my airline.

 

You really think UPS and FedEx carry around a ACM just so one of us can go hit the head?