box-hauler

Before I started flying the boxes, I always wanted to know who else was a qualified airman in case of an emergency. Knowing you have another useful crewmember in the back can be a real help for whatever the situation, so yes I think if you are in uniform you should stop in and say hi, paying passenger or not.

This is something else you might want to consider. Even if you are a paying passenger if something happens all the other cattle will be looking at you, probably even more than the flight attendant to do something just because you are in a pilot uniform......

P.S. why is it in your company manula to wear the uniform while traveling, is it a customer relations (P.R.) thing?

jrmyl

It is in our manual to be in uniform on the first day since we could very likely be operating a flight when we arrive at our destination. On the last day when we are going home is up to us what we do. I usually leave it on simply for the ease of going through security.

cencal83406

I certainly don't mind (and by the way, at the risk of big Delta guys getting upset I'm "just" a Delta Connection guy), and if you do happen to drop in on myself or the Captain I certainly won't blow you off or seem annoyed that you did. Anyways.... much ado about nothing IMHO.

Flyin4alivin

No kidding..... one see's yellow ties everywhere....and at times it is a sic you have flown with before, and yes you do acknowledge them, but you sure do not want to have a conversation with them. The fact that most of your FA's think we are jumpseating and treat us like we are catching a free ride when in fact we are paying top dollar for a ticket to sit in the back row next to the lav....I have been told they are out of Diet Coke as we are just jumpseating....ahhh, no..... actually if some of your FA's were nicer it may make a difference on how we feel when we get off the flight.
Let's face it...this is a ugly business no matter who you work for.

FlyFastLiveSlow

So the flexjet, citation shares, avantair folks all pop in and say thanks for the ride? As a pilot (military) I try to smile and say thanks as I'm leaving the aircraft, but I have probably missed a few myself. However, when I read your post, I thought of it a different way. They are all paying customers, not somebody getting a free airline ride. In the customer service sense, wouldn't you as the crew go out of your way to acknowledge them and ask how their flight was. As a mil executive airlift guy, I'm the one making sure everything is perfect for my pax. If I get a thank you, great--but I don't expect it. They are the customer and I'm the one providing the service. 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. Then gauge what kind of response you get. Unfortunately, airline flying has lost all of the fun and excitement it might have once posessed. I realize that it's not the crew's doing, but flying on the airlines sucks--even with first class and/or racking up free miles.

I was also curious about the "we both fly small airplanes" comment. I'd choose a long range business jet over any airliner, whether as a pilot or a passenger. Are wide body or heavy airplanes still the top of the food chain?

Navajo31

I think EVERY passenger should acknowledge the work the flight crew member who made the effort to get off his rump to thank his passengers as they exit. I know I make an effort to do that - and feel like the "hired help" when our passengers don't look up as they walk off the plane.

I don't stop for conversation at that point because I know there are dozens of people behind me wanting to get off to make their connecting flight. I try to be respectful of them as well.

I've had a couple of instances where I was mistaken for a jumpseater. I quickly explain my status as a paying customer, and have never gotten anything from appreciation from the flight crew. Back when we were hiring, I also got my share of resumes!

I must also say, I have had more than my fair share of conversations with NetJet pilots all over the country. If there are jerks who work there, I haven't met them yet.

See you all in Teterboro!

Learguy

Wow. Ok, I work for brand "F", but I must admit I have been treated with the utmost courtesy on most airlines. Even to the point of being offered free goodies when others pay, offered a bottle of water on the way out "for the road" etc.
I don't stick my head in the cockpit, I think that might be an intrusion, but if a cockpit crewmember is standing by the door, I always thank them for a nice, safe flight. I always thank the cabin crew, even the few that have not performed well. Never burn a bridge, maybe just a bad day, or hey, we are all in this together anyway.
Just my take on the stuff.

ExperimentalAB

Okay...been out with just the iPhone for a week and was not about to type up all this...so here it goes. Thanks for the comments!

I don't think any of us are looking for you to "ask" for a ride...Just acknowledge us as Professionals.

I'd be thrilled just to get eye contact from a NetJets guy LoL...Y'all are just in so much of a hurry to get off our planes!!

...Flight Attendants...can't live with 'em, can't fly without 'em...

Absolutely! We'd be more than happy to ask them how their flight was, and even thank them, but that would require a little effort on their part as well

That's all we ask! From one Professional Pilot to another!

Think of it this way...When I pay a fare on the City Bus, I greet the driver as I step in, and I am always sure to say "thank you" and "goodbye" to the driver as I step off the bus. It's just common courtesy! Heck, I even said thank you to the driver of the UAL employee shuttle that nearly got us creamed by a 744 pushing back (as it was, the outboard 15 feet or so of wing passed over the bus, and engine 4 wasn't too far off!).

Maybe I've just come across NetJets' "dirty" dozen LoL. Nonetheless, I'm happy to give y'all a ride anytime!

USMCFLYR

I said I would try it on this trip so I did. Worse trip from start to finish in a VERY long time btw - and I'm including the 3 hr delay in the grapevine to go 3 miles that made me miss my scheduled flight.
Ended up on SWA. Never got a chance to even see a pilot's face in the cockpit; then after the final leg out in the terminal I caught up with the FO. I thanked him for the flight.
Btw - for all of those customer service questions about -121 and fractionals......I saw a pilot helping a lady in a wheelchair down the jetway.

USMCFLYR

QSflyer

I'm a Netjets Pilot,

I flew on Pinnacle today home from MSP to CVG. I wasn't in uniform, but I still stuck my head in the cockpit and said hi. Mostly to let them know a CRJ typed pilot was in the back, but I also wanted to see how things were going there (I'm former Comair as well).

I can say that I usually will stick my head up front on Comair, sometimes on other "regional" airlines because I usually get bombed with questions. However I never do it while flying on a major. I don't know why, I just don't.

However, every time I deplane I thank the pilot for a safe flight. ALWAYS!

That's all

-Me-