I've been starting alot of threads lately. Guess I have an inquisitive nature. Ok, I'm finally gonna break down and ask this question: What's up with the personality of CAL pilots? I live in Jersey and am a loyal CAL customer. But I have noticed that their pilots aren't the freidnliest with regards to private pilots wanting to come on up after the flight and say hi. From poking around on the airliners.net forums occasionally, I've found that other people share similar experiences. I have flown on other carriers and found their pilots to be MUCH friendlier. In fact, although they usually rank last in custumer serivce reviews, the greatest experience I've had is on Northwest. We were delayed on the gate and the pilots let me sit up there and chat for a while. The FO even let me reset her alitimiter.

As a New Jersey pilot I have ran into CAL pilots around the airports and one of my first instructors is super senior 777 FO. He's a great guy, though. Anybody have an thoughts or experiences?

Mike---

Being A EWR Based New Jersey living CAL FO (one of the few that actaully live here) For the most part I have no issue with some one poking their head in the 'pit so say hi and take a look around. From my point of view I like it when someone honestly is curious about what we do. However on the flip side everybody hates the "private pilot" who pokes thier head into the cockpit with some operational criticism or snide comment. Sometimes is gets a bit annoying if you are in the middle of something and someone wants to have a long conversation.

The other side of the coin is that 80% +/- of EWR pilots are commuters and they often are running off to catch their flights to where ever.

I hope this helps... and stay off airliners.net it will rot your brain.

No one on that board has a clue what they are talking about out side of what airplane will look good in what paint job or "Why doesnt CAL serve Waco Tx, out of CLE?"

Sorry you haven't had the best experiece with that. If you're ever on my flight, I'd be glad 2 chew the fat for a few minutes. Prior to 9/11, at my previous airline, we didn't have unpaid sits at the airport or 20 minutes to get from gate 99 to 126. Now that's pretty much the standard everywhere, and at 40% less pay. Everything is a little different now, but I know that most guys still appreciate that kind of interaction with our passengers. Try to approach the pilots early and directly, I'm sure you'll have better luck.

Ok. I know there's ALOT of work that goes into putting a jetliner into the air and it's not even like I MUST talk to the pilots. It's just that I noticed an major difference between CAL pilots and pilots from other airlines, and was trying to figure out why.

As for commuting, in talking with them I noticed a good number of EWR based pilots drive to EWR. The ones I've met seem to live in eastern PA or the more rural areas of northwestern Jersey.

Amen brother! My cockpit door is always open for anyone wanting to come up and chat. but when they have an agenda that includes imparting some of their thoughts or suggestions regarding something where they have absolutely no freaking clue about.....that is where i draw the line and welcome time is over!

I love airliners.net. if i wasnt for the enthusiasm of worldwide plane spotters, i wouldnt be privy to some of the most beautiful shots ever!!! and that is also where their "expertise" ends. looking to airliners.net for factual and objective points of view will rot your brain, unless you think a plane spotter is dead on when he has an opinion of why an airplane shouldnt have landed as firmly as he did since the wind where the plane spotter is (1/4 mile away) isnt too bad........lol

Nope, I never criticized a pilot. In fact, I usually ask whose landing it was and then compliment it. One of the most enthusiastic airline landing compliments I gave was to a grey haired ATA 737 FO. It was cloudy and windy in chicago and he did the ILS 31C circle to land 22L at MDW. Really tight circle to a very short runway. I loved it.

wow. you must be a smooth talker

Yeah I was like .... Since your all up in my personal space set 30.07 in there for me!

The irony of giving a pilot an attayboy is that nine times out of ten it's for a really poor landing. As an example, I'll float one down the runway but it will be a really smooth touchdown. I'll get all sorts of praise from passengers even though I probably should have gone around. Other times, I'll put it right in the box, on speed on a short runway but a little firm and everyone, including the FA's feel free the chime in on what a poor landing it was.

Mike,

You use the term a lot, a lot. Notice it is two words, not one. Hope this helps.