CRJammin

I think it's because of our forced Ramen noodle living during our training, instructing, and scumbag cargo flying days. What other reasons are there? Sometimes the levels I've seen pilots stoop to is downright embarrassing, like the pilot who divided up the restaurant check right down to the penny. Egads!

contrails

Maybe it's the unpredictability of the companies and semi-unpredictability of one's health.

I recall seeing a captain at the cash register in the cafeteria at the training center of one major airline. Lots of people in line for lunch break during their recurrent training. His turn to pay and he dropped his change on the floor. Okay, picking it up even if you're a millionaire is common courtesy, but he proceeded to squat down and look under three sandwich/salad/drink refrigerators for any coins that may have slid far enough underneath where he could not see unless he was on his knees.

He flew the 747-400.

Sir James

It is funny how an airline pilot can buy a new Ford F-350 without batting an eyelid, then watch his dollars and quarters like he's a college freshman.

Freighter Captain

At one of my prior airlines a first o. was so cheap that he stole the silverware from layover restaurants to use at home. Try topping that one.

FlyerJosh

He's got real silverware? I just use the free plastic ones from the airport restaurants at home.

dckozak

I heard we had a pilot (caught) in customs with artwork taken from the hotel room they stayed in!!

MD11driver

What about the dude that would bring burnt out lightbulbs from home and swap them out with hotels?

RedeyeAV8r

In a previous life during the "B" scale years.................I was a Probationary FO. It was the general understood rule that probationary pilots never had to tip the van drivers or buy their own Adult beverages during the postflight debriefs (more of a guideline than a rule for some Capt's)

Shortly after arrival at the layover hotel my crusty ol' Capt said "Debrief in the hotel Bar in 15 minutes. Being on Probation, I didn't want to keep the Capt waiting. I promptly arrived at the requested time and joined him at the Bar. He said..........."Whadya have my boy, its on me" I graciously responded with "I'll have a Bud lite please"................Without hesistation the Capt said..........................................
"Barkeep, Bring us a bottle (note the lack of Plural) of Bud lite................................and two glasses!!

hyflyt560

Wow, switching out lightbulbs! A crashpad mate of mine told me of a certain captain he'd flown with who had the FA keep all of the little foil pieces that covered the hot food in first class.

calcapt

In the early days, I know of a pilot that on a day off would book himself as a passenger on a turn (out and back) just to get a couple free meals. I also knew of several captains that would clean out the galley on their way off the airplane. I can just hear it...... "Honey, I'm home .......and I brought dinner"