Essentially zero, I wouldn't be worried about that. I would be potentially worried about an opportunistic pyscho who hasn't been taking all his meds...from what I've seen, there's at least one of those on EVERY airline flight :rolleyes:

Really, is there anybody who couldn't fly their own airplane solo? I'd welcome help from an experienced pilot, but a PP would probably just screw up the radios.

Yeah, I gotta think he was hoping there was maybe a jumpseater or off duty pro on board. When the private pilot came forward, he probably figured "oh well, let's try to make this work." He could probably tell pretty quickly whether the guy was for real and useful or not.

The odds are pretty slim that somebody coming forward would be a homicidal freakizoid. At least I hope so.

It does make one wonder, though, whether the thought crossed the check airman's mind that the captain's keeling over wasn't part of a terrorist plan. Probably just too many things to think about at one time.:(

I think I would have rather had an FA up front. A least she could read checklist, etc andyou know that person as opposed to a total stranger. Hey, I guess be glad it wasn't IOE for a new hire. Can you imagine that, first day, first leg your IOE capt keels over:eek: It crossed my mine in IOE.

Im pretty sure he was looking for a pilot with experience similar to his, like another 121 guy/gal jumpseating. I was just hypothetically thinking, what if things went south once he let this guy in. I can see it now...the media would have a field day and he would have ALOT to answer for.

While it's true that the PIC does indeed have the emergency authority, it does not mean that the company and the FAA will simply ignore any event where the pilot exercises such authority. It is not carte blanche. (Is that spelled correctly?)

Maybe the conditions were such that this was needed, it's just that I think the pilot will be asked why he felt the need to bring a complete stranger, who is not an airline pilot, into the cockpit.

JMHO.

I concur...and that is my whole point.

I agree with you. I'd put an F/A in the seat if I really felt like I needed the help.

And even a new hire IOE pilot has enough sim time that he could get a normally functioning airplane on a runway somewhere.

With respect to handling duties on the flight deck, how is a F/A much help? To the best of my knowledge they don't recieve any training on flight deck procedures or communicating with ATC.

17.23 years from now that guy is STILL going to be telling that story. I can see his grand kids rolling there eyes, muttering under their breath "here we go," and easing out of the room when he tells this story! :)

The private pilot got to put the gear down and will forever feel like a hero for doing so. Everything worked out just fine so let's stop the second guessing.