Passenger Mentality
 

For those of you in the regional f/o and PIC positions, this one is for you...

What's your attitude towards passengers? Do you greet during board or would be prefer be stuffed away in the cockpit?

Does your company have a "guideline" of cockpit crew etiquette? I know people in the private world for the most part are just wanting not to be bothered so we stay "in the office", but I was just curious what your procedure was.

I guess some would argue we don't get paid enough, however, you have to also realize that a passenger's perspective of an airline pilot has changed so much since the golden years(whener that was) that they don't want to nor have time to say hello. This is because they are either e-mailing or talking on their cellphones the majority of the time.

I do like when kids come up to the front though, because I remember doing that when I was a kid.

Generally, our procedure is to allow passengers to the front following the flight. I would say etiquette lies along the lines of common sense when it comes to being courteous and customer service oriented.

What about other professional pilots? Do you guys like other professional pilots to drop by and say hi? I always peek in as I walk by when I ride, but since I'm not jumpseating or non-reving, I don't say anything because I don't want to be a disturbance.

I found that a Captain who openly engaged the pax got this response from them:

1. Considerable compliments and thanks.

2. The inevitable question as to why more Captains didn't do the same.

One of the most effective things a Captain can do is explain delays to the pax...either in the aircraft or in the terminal. I never trusted the ticket agents to communicate the problem, whatever that may have been. If the departure was delayed, I went to the gate area, used the agent's PA to get everyone's attention, and then gave them the truth...when we would leave or a time when I would be back with more info.

What I found was that the pax wanted info...even bad info, if it comes to that...but most of all, they wanted a straight answer. So...never lie, quibble, or BS them.

If a Captain can do this with a touch of humor, it really helps...and sometimes that can be tough, because not all of us are comfortable in front of a group of strangers.

But I can tell you without a doubt this practice will pay big dividends...so get out of the cockpit and deal with people and problems. When I was teaching Captain upgrade, my advice to the upgrader was that the last butt to hit the seat should be his.

...Meaning get out of the cockpit and get involved. Got FA or MX issues? Get involved. Got pax issues? Get involved. In a real sense, that's your job...anybody can fly the jet.

I love interacting with the pax, but thats becuase I have a huge ego and I like when the hot moms and girls eyefu** me :) in my uniform hahha

Im not sure how many RJs youve been on but most don't have a whole lot of room near the boarding door for someone to stand. I am 6'0'' and I have to stoop quite a bit to stand near the boarding door. Not sure how many people would like to be greeted by a hunchback pilot. I do make an effort to turn around in my seat as people get off (since they can really only see the FO as the get on and off) and smile at the pretty girls and wave at the kids. To be honest though, when you only have 25 minutes to get all the paperwork done, the cockpit set up, take a leak, get the passengers boarded and the plane buttoned up there isn't a lot of time to bull**** with passengers or go help with bags or other issues. But to the best of my knowledge there is no specific guidelines in the FOM except be courteous and professional.

Saying hi has never been a problem with me or any captain I've ever flown with. If you want to do it at the beginning of the flight, be the last person on the plane and just tell the FA you'd like to talk to the crew for a minute. Usually when the last few people are getting on board we're just waiting for the door to close anyways. Same thing when we're deplaning...be the last person off and just poke your head in.

As far as other PAX are concerned...whenever we're deplaning me and the captain usually turn around in our seats and give a lil' goodbye as folks are getting off. If people want to check out the front office, most people are inclined to show them a few things.

Ok, I know you are probably joking around but what is it with Expressjet pilots? You all act so cocky. Why????????????

I think its just the way Saab is. I bet he was cocky on the slaab over at colgan too. Its not really fair to label an entire pilot group. The ones who aren't cocky are probably the quiet, confident, professional type so you notice them less.

I don’t think saying hello or good bye will take anything away from you. It shouldn’t be a deal for professional pilots since we are customer oriented. Any way it is plain personal manners that should be found in any human being in any field.