So the story I got on the APU refusal was that the captain declined the plane., Another was reassigned and flew it - with the captain that refused the airplane deadheading home in the cabin.

 

I don't think it's a matter of what is "allowed", just a matter of the standard. It's been close to a decade since I've left the Western Hemisphere, but on the 737 (Guppy, 7-3, etc.) I've never had a problem when I said I wanted my meal before the pax, because there's usually a reason. On some trips (early departures on a short leg) the flight attendants will ask or even take the initiative to cook it before push because they know you need it early in the flight before the arrival. Long story short, whether pilots want to acknowledge it or not, customer service is very important and I like to go with the flow unless there's a reason to do otherwise. I think a lot of the push back from FAs regarding the timing of crew meals is how it's approached. Explain why you want your meal early and if the FA still has a problem, they can catch the next flight out... but I've never seen it come to that. On the pilots side, knowing the standard timing of meals, wouldn't it make sense to show up having accounted for that, just as you would show up expecting a certain break time? I think sometimes people show up looking to flex their muscles. For me, life's too short for that.

So true, but there are many who see it as their appointed mission to deny it.

 

Just flew my first trip with a native United (What a dumb term) guy.

Absolute gentleman. Laid back, nice. All around good pilot. He called for "filch 250" when he was hand-flying. I called for "level change 250" when the roles were reversed. We both new exactly what the other guy was talking about.

We even both owned GA airplanes.

Which brings me to the real issue here: how are we going to assimilate you freaks from both airlines who aren't into flying small airplanes? That's the real problem.

I can't wait to fly with more of my United brothers and sisters!

 

"I do not manipulate the controls of an aircraft, unless there is a paycheck attached to it."

One of the funniest quotes I ever heard from an airline pilot.

 

That is funny.

But what a sad life deprived of more than several minutes worth of real flying a month. And new airplanes. And practice. And friends. The joy of perfecting that Immelman. Or beating your old soaring record.

I could not imagine a life devoid of as many airplanes as possible.

 

I hang glide for fun, and am about to start paragliding. Light planes don't do it for me, but if I lived in Alaska, I would have a float plane for sure. Maybe 2.

It still was my favorite CPL quote. You wouldn't believe the venue.