Well, I'm waiting for the change in the FOM any day.

Actually have not had that happen lately (cleaners rushing the plane) but I hear ya. I don’t take myself so seriously that i’d impede normal turn activities and move flight attendants out of the way so I could stand there in full regalia like I just made a lunar landing and expect everyone to say “thanks”. I’m just talking about casually being present and saying “goodnight “ etc to those who may have planned a vacation months and months in advance and picked us out of others for a variety of reasons and may not fly much. Those leisure passengers seem to have questions and like interacting with a pilot. Those who really pay our salaries are often gone by the time one of us gets to the door. While I’m not as good as most about the business cards, the times I have written notes, I’ve received emails later that evening or a day or two after thanking me for recognizing their importance to our company. If you haven’t tried it, do so sometime. I’ve been way to slack about it lately when trying to balance other paperwork etc.

That's great. Glad you like doing it. On a rare occasion for various reasons if I'm not in a hurry, I'll hang with the fight attendants and commiserate as passengers deplane. I'm usually not out of the cockpit til the last 2/3 are hitting the door. Yeah, I'm slow. But most of the time I'm joining row 20 for the jetway party.

Cards aren't my thing. If you like it and derive benefit, then by all means.

If you were taught by scabs you act like a scab. See above.

Totally agree. You shouldn’t be looked down on for finishing your duties and heading off the jet. Likewise, someone who wants to stay and engage our costumers should be looked down on as a “Marvin” or an “ass hat”.

Ass-hat. Classy. Nice mentoring.

You ARE getting paid. Unless it’s the last leg you’re getting Per Diem.

I suggest a professional conversation with your Captain in that instance can go a long way. If you politely say to the Captain you are exhausted and worried about getting enough rest in the layover, I would hope most Captains would gladly agree to head to the van. I know I would.

Good luck! Expense a cab for transportation not available because the Captain was saying goodbye to our customers. I actually hope you would get paid! I would have no issue if my FO left in a cab if I was waiting to ensure there were no deplanement issues. But don’t take the company provided transportation and leave. That’ll end our trip together.

I don’t usually stay until the end, especially now that we have an expired contract. But I appreciate the guys/gals that put the extra effort into customer care. It’s good for us all in the bigger picture.

You’ve got it all backwards. This thread wasn’t about someone saying “YOU NEED TO STAY AND SAY GOODBYE”. It was about whether Captains that DO want to say goodbye is acceptable and appropriate. The most defensive are the ones that don’t want to stay. But nobody is suggesting you have to or should.

As a passenger I can attest to the fact that in the era of long lines at security, crowded gates and packed flights, and the often-times miserable traveling experience many people have, it is really refreshing when pilots greet you either when boarding or deplaning with a smile welcoming you or thanking you for flying with them.

I recently flew and as I boarded I mentioned to the FA that it was my son’s first flight. They were so excited. The flights was completely full and despite that they still took the time before take off to let me know that the pilots would love to meet him after landing. Sure enough as we deplaned the pilots invited us into the flight deck and let my son sit in the left seat. The FO even took pictures of us with my phone for memories. It was an evening flight and I could tell the pilots were tired and we were so appreciative of those few minutes they were willing to spend with us. My son will never forget that experience.

So we definitely understand the rigors of your jobs and that you need to hit it sometimes soon after you land, but please know that many passengers really do respect you guys and what you do. In fact, it feels a little odd when you thank us for flying with you when it’s you all who get us where we need to go safely. So I will usually thank the pilots as I leave.