Pilots who smoke
 

What are your policies at the different airlines about pilots who smoke?
Do you guys have a smoking section in your crew rooms?
I always see F/A smoking at the restraunts and smoke rooms at the airport, but never see any Pilots.

QUIT! That stuff is horrible for you.If you can't quit, then do the disgusting dip in the cockpit. Of course, you can't do that too long or you jaw will fall off.

been dipping for about five years and my jaw is still here. My lip hurts everyonce in awhile but my gums and teeth are in perfect health. Not saying dipping is a good thing or justifying it, but life is short anyways even if your healthy so you might as well enjoy the years that you have even if you have less than others. Quality over quantity!

Cheers
SK

Never heard of an airline having a specific policy regarding smoking (except maybe Alaska? Thought I heard they ask on the application if you use tobacco and choose not to interview those who do. Someone correct me if I'm wrong). Didn't think you could still smoke in most airports...

At any rate, seems like the hassles of smoking would be encouragement enough to quit. At most airports you have to actually go outside the building to smoke so that means a trip through security every time you want to grab a cigarette (better hope you don't do a day of quick turns or it might become real unpleasant for the rest of your crew). In addition to that, a lot of hotels are going smoke-free so you have to go outside to smoke there too.

First of all thanks for not answering any of my Q's. Second of all why try to tell someone what they should and shouldnt do-this post was not meant for an anti smoking campaign

We just got a msg that RDU is offically a non smoking airport. Most FA's and pilots would go on the ramp outside ops and smoke but, I guess now you can't smoke unless you are on the curb outside security. Seems to be too much of a hassle.

At my old air ambulance company we were a non smoking company. Employees weren't allowed to smoke in view of company property. We had a pilot who would go out to his personal RV and smoke. It was the only place that he could.

I believe I did answer your questions...

If you read a little more into my original response:
With the exception of Alaska (and I may be wrong about that), no airlines I know of have specific policies regarding pilots who smoke (except don't do it where you're not allowed to but that goes for everyone, doesn't it). Here at XJT, there is no policies I know of regarding pilots who smoke.

If the AIRPORT is non-smoking it stands to reason that there would not be a smoking section in the crew room, yes? (since most crew rooms are located in the airport).

Go look out on the curb at your local airport, chances are you will see a lot of pilots and FAs out there having a smoke.

So yes, looks like they were all answered. Geez, just relax a little Jetjock65. Any relation to Jetjock16?:D


PS
If you DO dip, CLEAN UP YOUR G-D SPIT CUP!!! If I find one of those nasty cups of sunshine on my side of the airplane I WILL find out who left it and you WILL find a delightful surprise in your V-file. Cheers:D

@TSA, can't smoke in front of passengers, near airplane etc... can smoke in restaurant... basically use your discretion.

First of all freezing wasnt talking to you- was refering to johnso29
and no relation to that guy or his opinions at all

i always seen pilots in the smoking room in IAD

Too much noise?

Most pilots are annoyed if they are confined in the cockpit with a heavy smoker.

Some airports have smoking lounges, but some companies forbid you from using them (in view of the public). A few airports have places where employees can smoke, but flight crew usually don't have time to go find them between legs.

You can usually go outside security to the curb and smoke, unless you your company has the public view policy.

Alaska hires only non-tobacco users, and tests for it. Other majors will probably head down that road as the nation becomes more health-conscious (plus it saves bank on insurance). I have never heard of a regional refusing to hire smokers, but don't smoke or smell like smoke at an interview.

I've been flying for a major for 8 years, and have flown with two pilots who smoked. The hassle of finding a place to light up in airports where there is no smoking, in addition to the health reasons ought to convince you to give it up.

Alaska is a non-smoking airline. I was tested 11 years ago. I don't know if they test today but I believe they do.

Smoking is just stupid. I wouldn't hire you simply based on what it says about you and your personality. Dipping is just as bad. There is not much worse than setting up the cockpit for my flight and finding a dipping cup full of someone's, God knows what.

I suppose you can adopt the attitude of comedian Dennis Leary. "Sure they say smoking takes 5 years off your life. But aren't those the worst 5 years of your life?"

The U.S. seems to be very strict on this matter, and I agree with it 100%. Europe is a whole different story, crews will smoke in the cockpit during flight this is very annoying to a non-smoker like me.

Aside of being a stupid habit, it gives you bad breath.Stinks!!

I think I touched a nerve!:D

What is a smoker's personality?

I am a former smoker and I discourage smoking probably as much as you. However, I believe that you're being presumptuous and a bit snobby. It is "just stupid" to pass judgment and assume you can gauge someone's personality based on one of their health vices. What's next? Meat eaters? Someone overweight? What do those vices say about their personalities?

I would rather fly with a smoker than a presumptuous snob any day. As for hiring, again, I'd opt for hiring the smoker.

I have not seen a smoking flight attendant in quite a while :(

I smoked until I hit the line and then just quit. It was way too much hassle for not that much gain. I still dip though...and hence I miss flying on the delta side with their cool little water bottles that made it so easy.

yes quiting is best. however, don't quit because the airline wants you too. quit because you want to. otherwise smoke um if you got them!

smoking is generally bad :P

Don't worry if you are in a big city like New York or Chicago you won't be able to afford the $7+ a pack price tag on regional pay...

Man isn't that the truth!


I quit smoking once I started with IOE. I didn't want to deal with the cravings and the hassle of finding a place to smoke, not to mention I hated wreaking of cigarettes all the time.

I do still dip though, and I have never left a dip cup in the aircraft

And for a li change than what this board usually produces which is s**load amounts of negativity.

The truth of the matter is that unless you have a company policy (which i find insane! they should sue for that kind of a thing!) that prohibits you from doing that, almost every out station has some kind of an arrangement.... talk to the rampers, they always know best... And even in the worst case scenario of having to go outside... if it's a small municipal airport, if you divide your time right, you can do a postflight, go outside, smoke, come back and still finish your duties with no hassle what so ever.

There are still enough smokers in this world of aviation and we all find our own ways....

My company only has a clause that discourages you from smoking and prohibits it on company airplanes which I find fair.

OK maybe I was a little harsh. Still, being a drug addict is different from being a meat eater or overweight. I think you can agree with that. Also, I'm not passing judgment on a person's entire personality but in a competitive hiring environment a smoker is not competitive. But wait a minute, there is a developing pilot shortage. Maybe smokers do stand a chance.

Wow now smokers are labeled as drug addicts- guess airlines used to let pilots do drugs in the cockpit then. Your probally a guy who has a problem with people who have a drink every once in a while too, since that is the worst legal "drug" of them all.

Um...no dude. This is the 21st Century!

Anyway, good luck trying to find any place to smoke ramp-side...Company, if not the airport authority, forbids it due to fuel and other combustibles.

"wow now smokers are labeled as drug addicts"

cigerettes are technically a drug and they are addictive, so if your addicted to cigerettes then your a drug addict

No way! I'd rather fly with a snob any day of the week. Smoking is a dirty habit, and smoking anywhere in the vicinity of non-smokers shows absolutely no respect or regard for my health (kind of goes hand in hand with other basic social skills). Thanks a million for polluting my air.

Unlike the unleaded fuel and Jet A burning machines we all use daily.;)

Slice (never have, never will, smoke, dip, inhale.)

Heres a better reason
 

Sorry to turn this into an anti-smoking rant, but feel the need to point this out.

My mom smoked all her life. This weekend, we will be driving up to see her again - She has elected to discontinue her treatement for lung cancer. I doubt my young kids will remember much about her.

If you won't quit for yourself, quit for the grandkids that you have not met yet that will never remember you.

Again, sorry for the hijack, but really felt the need to get that off my chest.

Man it is easy to push your buttons. :D Alcohol is a horrible drug. If it was invented today it would never get approved. And of course I use it. I don't brag about it and I am taking steps to watch my intake. If I was not on reserve I would probably (note the spelling of probably) drink wine with dinner (and a few after) most every night. Unfortunately, I can not drink every night.

So you think smoking and alcohol are equivalent? Here's the difference: I don't take a sip of a drink and then spit it up in to your mouth. Is that a good enough visual for you? Do you see the difference now?

Yes, except the drug is Nicotine. Cigarettes are the delivery method.

Hey, I thought Alaska was a "nicotine free" airline?

Im still a CFI. Smoking is a gross bad habit. I won't even train smokers on grounds it reflects a serious lack of good judgment. I can't wait to fly with the Marlboro Capt. at whatever airline I wind up at.

Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever flown with a smoker. That, in and of itself, say's something.

I think your splitting hairs my friend

OK DUDE thats why it was a Question