Written by Denise Stegmann in November 2019
How to Get your children to visit the cockpit
Once you have made it to the airport and you are on the obstacle course to your plane it seems like a chain of highly regulated interactions and rules that you have to follow just to make it to the airplane. Of course, all in the name of security and the efficiency of airlines, but you really want to avoid any kind of hold up like identifications in the wrong pouch of your bag or a hand search of you carry on luggage. So once you have made it onto the jet bridge and you get closer the airplane something as simple as visiting the cockpit with your children seems quite daunting, maybe even impossible.
But this experience really does not have to be out of reach in any way. Please read the interview with a pilot, a first officer flying the 757/767 for a major American airline.
But this experience really does not have to be out of reach in any way. Please read the interview with a pilot, a first officer flying the 757/767 for a major American airline.
Interview with a pilot
The following is a transcript of an interview by Denise Stegmann on 11-20-2019.
Are the doors to the cockpit locked the entire flight? I never see the door open in flight.
There are periods of time when the doors are open. But you are treading in some shallow water here. There is a whole protocol for the cockpit doors to be opened. Obviously passengers can’t just go in there. Pre and post flight that is when kids can come up.
So children can still visit the cockpit?
Yes. I mean the best way to do it is to ask the flight attendeant who is greeting at the boarding door. "Is it possible to see the cockpit or flight deck?". It might help to give a reason such as “my kid is a nervous flier” or “my kid loves flying”
What if there is a family with more than two children?
That does not make a difference. But we only have two hats for pictures.
So pictures are okay?
Yes, of course. A wide angle lens is highly recommended, the flight deck is a tight space. Pilots also have lots of experience recommending poses and angles.
Are there times when you can’t show the cockpit to children?
There are times when it is inconvenient. Typically, the flight attendant will ask us whether it is a good time. During a normal pre flight, when everything is happening on schedule, we have time because we are done with our pre flight duties with time to spare. Exceptions are when we are off schedule. Again, a flight attendant will be able to check with the pilots. The issue with post flight is that we typically have pretty tight connections. And actually most passengers just want to get off the plane anyway.
What do you like to show children in the cockpit?
We like to show kids some very basic things. First, we start with the "light show." There is a button that will light up all the switches, and kids think that’s cool. It’s like a Christmas tree, there are lights everywhere. It draws their attention to all the switches and inputs, when you light them up it looks impressive. And, yes we know what all these switches do. That's a common question children have. We show them the thrust levers, rudder pedals, and the control yoke. Sometimes we'll let the kids say "welcome aboard" over the PA system which they think is fun, the passengers seem to think it's funny too. We like to make it a fun experience for them.
What if an adult is interested in seeing the cockpit?
We also show adults the cockpit. It’s not that common but occasionally an adult who is a nervous flier will want to see the cockpit and interact with the flight crew. They are interested in how many hours of experience the pilots have, and they want to know if the flight is going to be bumpy and what makes flights bumpy.
Do different airlines have different policies for cockpit visits?
I don't know. In my impression it is up to the pilots. I think we are all very enthusiastic about the airline industry and happy to show others. And usually airlines want us to promote aviation, the pilot profession and the brand. Internationally the boarding process is more stringent but from the pilot’s perspective there is no difference.
There are periods of time when the doors are open. But you are treading in some shallow water here. There is a whole protocol for the cockpit doors to be opened. Obviously passengers can’t just go in there. Pre and post flight that is when kids can come up.
So children can still visit the cockpit?
Yes. I mean the best way to do it is to ask the flight attendeant who is greeting at the boarding door. "Is it possible to see the cockpit or flight deck?". It might help to give a reason such as “my kid is a nervous flier” or “my kid loves flying”
What if there is a family with more than two children?
That does not make a difference. But we only have two hats for pictures.
So pictures are okay?
Yes, of course. A wide angle lens is highly recommended, the flight deck is a tight space. Pilots also have lots of experience recommending poses and angles.
Are there times when you can’t show the cockpit to children?
There are times when it is inconvenient. Typically, the flight attendant will ask us whether it is a good time. During a normal pre flight, when everything is happening on schedule, we have time because we are done with our pre flight duties with time to spare. Exceptions are when we are off schedule. Again, a flight attendant will be able to check with the pilots. The issue with post flight is that we typically have pretty tight connections. And actually most passengers just want to get off the plane anyway.
What do you like to show children in the cockpit?
We like to show kids some very basic things. First, we start with the "light show." There is a button that will light up all the switches, and kids think that’s cool. It’s like a Christmas tree, there are lights everywhere. It draws their attention to all the switches and inputs, when you light them up it looks impressive. And, yes we know what all these switches do. That's a common question children have. We show them the thrust levers, rudder pedals, and the control yoke. Sometimes we'll let the kids say "welcome aboard" over the PA system which they think is fun, the passengers seem to think it's funny too. We like to make it a fun experience for them.
What if an adult is interested in seeing the cockpit?
We also show adults the cockpit. It’s not that common but occasionally an adult who is a nervous flier will want to see the cockpit and interact with the flight crew. They are interested in how many hours of experience the pilots have, and they want to know if the flight is going to be bumpy and what makes flights bumpy.
Do different airlines have different policies for cockpit visits?
I don't know. In my impression it is up to the pilots. I think we are all very enthusiastic about the airline industry and happy to show others. And usually airlines want us to promote aviation, the pilot profession and the brand. Internationally the boarding process is more stringent but from the pilot’s perspective there is no difference.
Conclusion about flight Deck visits
- Pilots love showing the flight deck to children when they have the time to do so
- Pilots love sharing their knowledge and their excitement about flying and planes
- Pilots like to make passengers feel safe
- Flight attendants are the ones to ask if you are interested in seeing the cockpit
- Before the airplane takes off is the best time to visit the cockpit
- Be mindful of the pilots' time
- Cockpit visits are not only for children, adults can also ask to see the cockpit
- Be prepared to take some pictures, it is allowed
- Just know the pilots won't actually let you fly ;)
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