BMEP100

And if the F/O says they don’t want to stay a few extra minutes.....then what?

baronbvp

JetBlue is the Alaska of the east coast. Passengers love flying both. Some pilots have a bit of a chip that they aren’t paid quite as well as the big majors, but most seem happy to be part of the unique cultures of each. I have no idea how fast you taxi so it’s probably about right. ;-)

I will say I was wrong about United being lucky to be #2. I spent some time there today and was very impressed with the culture and professionalism of the leadership and commitment to excellence in the training department. They have worked hard to overcome the challenges of years past. People are happier than they were several years ago. It looks like a great place to be.

All the big 3 have endured and overcome to varying degrees the significant hurdles of mergers and acquisitions. It is very difficult to gel different cultures and operating processes together to build a cohesive organization. The industry is changing and so are the demographics of the pilot groups. I am glad to be entering the industry at this time of growth. Everyone is trying to do the best they can. It’s an exciting time for the airlines.

baseball

I have read this thread with great interest.

A few observations....

1. The passengers don't care anything about their pilot, or pilots giving them a post flight nod or thank you. They want to get off, retrieve their bags, and go home.

2. It is chivalrous and polite to thank your customers. Going the extra mile is what a small business owner would do for his/her customers.

The problem here is this. On a layover, the crew needs to get to the layover and begin their rest period. Whomever is holding up this process may be causing a delay in starting the rest period. I get it, 30 hour layover and you are riding with the FA's to the layover and sharing the same van....NO Problem. Thank all 219 SOB's and shake all the hands and kiss all the babies and have cockpit visits with pictures. But absent that, get off the jet and go to the layover and begin the rest. Your transportation is waiting, and likely double-parked.

The FA's and agents can do the glad handing and thanking.

I try and let the flight deck be open for visits prior to push if we have time. After the flight, it's time to get moving. Also, of importance, anyone standing in the door way is in the way. Get out of the way please so the FA can say good bye and so the other pilot or pilots can go.

It's a different world. It's fast paced and it's quick. The passengers don't care about their Captain saying good night or thanks. They care that they got there, and got there on time. Bags got there too. After a 6 hour flight in economy they want out.... They want off.

Hilltopper89

I won’t weigh in too heavily other than to relate that when I was at charm school last month someone asked Mr Nocella, Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, what we Captains could do to help the company do better. We were all surprised by his response...”greet the passengers.” That’s what he wanted us to do to help change the company. I find it an easy thing to do.

Photoflier

I would say that a quick reading of the customer compliments in the latest Howie update shows that this isn’t accurate. Sure there are many customers who don’t care. But there are also many that do.

Often I will take my cue on saying goodbye from the flight attendants up front. If they are engaging and kindly towards our customers, I’ll stay out of the way and let him/her do what they do best. Sometimes I finish the checklist, open the door, and notice both FA’s up front on their phones ignoring everyone as they get off so NOONE is saying goodbye. In those instances, I stop what I’m doing and say stand up so that SOMEONE is acknowledging that we appreciate our customers’ business. Luckily I’ve noticed this happening less lately.

If staying to say goodbye is going to cause a legality issue for the layover, then it would be VERY shortsighted to stay a minute longer than necessary. But I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve had more than one layover in the past year where an extra 10 minutes was going to cause a delay the next day.

Photoflier

I genuinely find this interesting, because I’ve never heard one FO mention this issue. I’d never even heard it brought up before this thread.

You make an excellent point about asking the FO if they mind holding tight for an extra 10/15 minutes and then explaining why you would like to wait. That’s good communication, and good communication usually yields good results.

HuggyU2

I don't agree with your points, but I do understand (and respect) that's how you see it.

So, as the F/O that I am, would you be good with it if I said "Captain, it's important to me to greet the deplaning pax. Feel free to head to the hotel immediately. If you do, I'll grab my own transportation. Enjoy your evening."

757Driver

Then, as I’ve pointed out numerous times on previous posts, politely skip the bye-bye fest on the legs that end with a layover, and head for the hotel. If it leads to holding up the other Pilots layover, don’t do it. If it’s an intermediate leg or the last leg, let the F/O out of the cockpit and carry on.

Very simple and ultra considerate.

757Driver

Absolutely and I’d thank you for being polite enough to ask.

PDRit

You seem to be locked in the past. Previous management did some terrible things. However the tide turned and if you can’t look back at those BK wages and benefits compared to today and see a better life and a stable company then you need to sit down and reflect.

Those customers are the people that pay your salary. They are not the enemy and management has shown they want the airline to succeed/compete versus death by a 1,000 cuts. If all you can talk about on a Pacific crossing is how Tilton got 40 million and Rono Dutta was an idiot then I bet you are a pleasure to fly with.

You especially have been very fortunate and owe a bit of gratitude for your own hiring.