May I visit the pilots in the cockpit?

[leghorn 76]

I will be flying aboard the 320(BA)/744(BA)/772ER(BA)/744(QF)/A333(QF) in the upcoming 2 weeks. I am not a frequent passenger and this question has been buggin again few years back but that last time I didn't have the courage to ask the flight attendant. So is it possible to do so this time .. or more importantly .. Is there any chance to succeed? Dо you guys ask the stewardess kindly using some magical phrases? It would be great to take a picture of me with the captain or F/o in the T7 cockpit per say..

[Selkan 1]

Don't think you will have any joy. I used to always ask, and the answer was always yes years ago. I some times even managed to stay put on the jump seat for landing. I think since 911 it is really a total No No. Such a shame; it's always the few who spoil everything for the many!

[Rocky_53 1,579]

Hmm, well, all I can say is that the last couple of times I flew I asked the very same question, only to be told quite categorically that it was not possible. In fact I felt quite silly on both occasions for even asking! However, if you really do want to visit the cockpit  I suggest you write a short letter to the airline and see if that would help. Failing that, if you could bypass the flight attendant and ask the pilot directly, maybe as you were boarding, you may have more luck, especially while the aircraft was on the ground.  

[PinkJackal 86]

I asked a flight attendant once and I told her that I'm the CEO of the same airline that we were flying but in a virtual world and she was looking very strange at me, the answer was a categoric NO! I was very embarrassed when she answer, like everybody near me was looking with a strange look on their eyes!! I will never ask again!!!!  :unsure:

[Fox-Bat 31]

I would think such a question these days would get the undercover air marshals going for your throat.

[ethanhawx 3]

Some airlines do allow pax to visit the cockpit when on ground or after landing, But during flight , now a days its a strict no no.Even if u know the PIC and he allows you to enter the cockpit, he might get into serious trouble if it gets reported.

 

Its become so strict that even company pilots are not allowed to enter other than the operating crew. Its such a shame.. :(

[leghorn 76]

I thought impressing with knowledge on A320/744 would help me but i feel rather discouraged now.. At least the flight will pass much calmer for me..

[vonduck 99]

Once when i flew to YSSY i asked the stewraedess if i could speak to the pilot to compare the fuel/load caculations i had printed up from my virtual flight the day before... she was curious at my A4 sized paper which outline the route, altitudes, fuel & weights etc... i asked her midflight if she could show it to the captain to see how my figures compared to his... as i wasnt asking to visit the flight deck she said no problem...

 

She came back with sheet but this time it had the captains scribbles all over it - they were the real calculations he had used for the flight... but i can tell you they were pretty darn close! After we landed the stewardess asked if i would like to talk to the captain...and in a flash i was into the cockpit discussing their carreers and the trip... while both of them had never simmed they were impressed in the accuracy of the data i had....

 

In thinking about it now... i could imagine what some passengers may have been thinking if they saw another passenger analysisng flight data and looking all nervous (about asking etc)... could have thought i was a terrorist!! LOL

[g_precentralis 191]

There are 2 effective ways you can visit cockpit:

 

1. Send a letter to management/operations/marketing of airline, they can arrange perfectly legal visit of cockpit.

 

2. Find a captain of the flight and talk with him, you can ask him directly or talk about aviation, aircraft, just do not be boring. There are very good chance capt will invite you in cockpit. 

 

Do not ever ask FA or any else member of cabin crew to visit cockpit, the answer is NOOOO every singe time.

 

Do not be discouraged, it's not big deal if they say - no, you should not be ashamed. It's a game, same like with girls. 

[FLEX1978 373]

Best time to ask is at the gate after landing, surprised to hear people are being refused, did you all ask after landing? After 9/11 it is a definite no during flight but Captains discretion after landing. That goes for certain airlines in Europe and the middle East, have no idea about US operators.

[Fatback 84]

I understand that Air Canada's policy is that even dead heading pilots are not allowed in the cockpit unless they are in uniform, and strictly no passengers. Other airline policies will vary, but the no passengers rule could very well be an FAA regulation now.

[Rocky_53 1,579]

I remember when I was a kid my dad asked the flight crew if we could go up and visit the cockpit, the answer was "of course, I'll ask the captain." Within about five minutes my dad and me were being escorted to the flightdeck like royalty. The captain was a real gentleman too, he spent what seemed like ages talking to us about the aircraft.

[mgh 89]

The EU regulations prohibit access to the flight deck at all times by other than an operating crew member unless permitted by and in accordance with the instructions in the Operations Manual.

 

I haven't seen the relevant part of an Operations Manual but I doubt  it permits anyone who simply asks to be admitted these days.

[Tatave 57]

About two years ago, I was boarding a Qantas 737 and asked the flight attendant if I could sit in the jumpseat in the cockpit for the flight, and she said no. BUT, she said that I could come up at the end of the flight and speak to the pilots in the cockpit if I wanted. So I went in, spoke to the FO about the NGX  :smile: , and then took a photo. I also have a friend who took a flight recently in a Qantas 744, and he got the chance to visit the cockpit after the aircraft had stopped at the gate. So I guess it's a matter of asking the flight attendant kindly when you are boarding or maybe asking at the end of the flight. Good luck and have fun with your travelling! 

[psolk 3,040]

Can't believe all the feedback here...  I always board and politely ask if when the pilots have a minute in between their pre or post flight as I understand they are very busy if it would be ok for me to pop up to the cockpit and get a quick pic.  I have never been denied pre or post 9/11!!!  Maybe it is all how you ask, maybe it is that I am always in seat 1A .  

I have pics of me in the 767, 777, 757, sitting in the Pilots seat, the Co-Pilots seat, wearing the Pilots hat you name it...

 

Ask politely, be respectful that they are doing a job and are very busy, always ask if you can visit pre or post flight, never during and your chances will go up exponentially...