FAA Regulations

[Guest]

I have a question that I hope someone can shed some light on. Are US flight attendants permitted to be in the cockpit during taxi, take-off and landing? It is my understanding that the FAA passed new regulations after a Delta Airlines 727 crashed during takeoff at DFW. The cause of the crash was determined to be caused by a flight attendant who interfered with the pilots during taxi to the runway. The pilots did not set the flaps properly. In the CVR, you can hear the female flight attendant scream as the plane is going down.Back in 2000, I was on an MD90 Delta Airlines flight from Dallas to Washington,DC. Upon boarding and taking my aisle seat, I kept watching the cockpit...that is why I love aisle seats. The front passenger door closed, and a female flight attendant went into the cockpit and shut the door behind her...disappointed me. I kept noticing how she never came back out of the cockpit..since we left the gate. My eyes were glued to the cockpit door. About 10 minutes after we took off, the cockpit door opened, and out came the flight attendant. I was really disturbed by this, especially since it was this very same airline that had a previous crash because of cockpit interference. As the flight attendants began their routine, I asked one flight attendant about the FAA regulation prohibiting anyone other than the pilots in the cockpit during taxi,takeoff and landings. She obviously didn't know how to respond and so she went and brought over the actual flight attendant to me, to explain to me why she was in the cockpit. This flight attendant(the one who was in the cockpit) was very rude and in my face(2 inches from my nose). I had to move my head back, I thought she was going to kiss me or something. The MD90 is a quiet plane, she didn't have to get in my face. She told me that senior flight attendants who are deadheading are permitted to be in the cockpit. Is this true? Can anyone shed some light into this FAA regulation?Thanks.Fausto (happycapt)

[Guest]

While I cannot cite the exact FAA reg number, flight attendants, in the past, have been allowed to ride in the cockpit, only when they have the required number in the cabin to cover cabin duties. This was to facilitate CRM. When we are at our busiest, the flight attendants generally are at their least busy. So, when cruise comes and the flight attendants get very busy, they see cockpit crews just sitting there. This program shows them a bit of what our job is like and demonstrates that our most active times are opposite of eachother.I do not believe the program has anything to do with senior flight attends only or even if they are deadheading. My understanding is that it is only available for the on board leader.Now, having said that, I believe that the program has been suspended since 9/11.Hope this helps a little, Grady

[Guest]

Hi Grady:Thanks for sheding some light on this issue. I appreciate it.Regards,Fausto (happycapt)