Wait in the lobby, or dive into the hotel van?
 

Where should you wait for the other crewmembers who will meet you for your hotel van ride to the airport:

In the lobby, or

In the van?

I always wait for my skipper in the hotel lobby area, but lately I've noticed some captains diving straight into the van, leaving me wondering where they are-- did they oversleep?

Thoughts?

I have always met in the lobby.. or some other designated place.

I always met in the lobby or curbside, but never actually boarded the van.

Guys that do that (dive into the van) have PPD- Pilot Personality Disorder. An estimated 55% of pilots have this ailment, btw ;)

That scenario has caught me off guard a few times as well-- I would arrive in the lobby 5 minutes prior to van departure time, and on the hour I would call up to the captain's room to make sure he didn't miss an alarm... Only to discover that he's been sitting in the van the entire time, waiting on ME.

I chalk it up to rudeness and selfishness.

I've gone out to the van a few times, early and on time, to find the captain already sitting in there. Made me think I was late and I should get there even earlier with these captains.

I have had many Capts waiting in the Van. Not only that after getting dropped off at the airport they just takeoff, through security leaves me and FA to get to the gate. The best story is one night in CMH, just finished the postflight walkaround, get back up the jetway and capts gone. Its just me and the FA now. Both of us it was first time to CMH. Bottom line it took us nearly a half hour to find the van. For some reason or another it was really confusing getting to where the van was supposed to pick us up. We somehow ended up in the parking garage. Its was nightmare. We had to call the hotel to find out where we are supposed to meet the van. We get there and the capts like "what took you so long" FA felt like smacking him:D I personally always wait for the Capt and FA. If the capt doesn't wait I do. I have also found the TWA guys are best for being good crew members

Usually in the lobby. Sometimes, a few people are outside because they smoke (myself included) so we try and get one last one in before leaving.

I've seen some guys wait outside curbside or vanside, but it's the ones that dive in the van and wait there that I'm mystified about.

If the weather is nice I'm outside waiting. If not, I'm in the lobby. I like to be down there first for some reason.