William From United States of America, joined Jun 1999, 1039 posts, RR: 0 Posted (12 years 11 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 623 times:
Pilots,after you have finished your takeoff checklist,and waiting for takeoff clearance in a line of aircraft,what do you do up there in the cockpit to pass away the time?
AirwaysDC9 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 204 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (12 years 11 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 629 times:
At my airline, once we are clear of the gate and on our taxiway towards the runway, the first officer lowers the flaps/slats to our takeoff setting, adjusts the trim, and sets the speed bugs for takeoff as per the information that comes across our ACARS computer. Once these items are done, the crew completes the "Before Takeoff Checklist - To the line"
There is an actual line in the middle of the checklist that allows us to complete the majority of the non-critical items, while delaying things like turning on the transponder/TCAS, radar, or notifying the flight attendant. When we've been cleared onto the active runway the captain calls, "complete the before takeoff checklist" and the remaining 4 or 5 items are then completed.
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7344 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (12 years 11 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 623 times:
It's not that crazy, no way is there enough to do to keep a crew busy the whole flight. On taxi, t/o, landing, all transitional levels perhaps, but once at cruise, out come the porno mags or "War And Peace" (usually the former in my observation). JETPILOT opens his mail and pays bills (according to a previous post).
Senior check pilot to chief pilot: "It's so annoying, everytime I wake up the other two are reading."
Rpwgw From Australia, joined Jun 1999, 209 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (12 years 11 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 623 times:
Not a stupid question at all. BA might not like to let you know what goes on although I had a firend who was working in the Gulf as an engineer. THIS WAS ONLY 7 YEARS AGO!!! He goes onto the aircraft (a 747 classic)
with an engine fault enters the cockpit and asks the captain what is wrong with his ship. The reply was "First Officer please tell the Flight Engineer to answer the ground staff's question". Real Upstairs down stairs crap. Really like to fly with that guy. There would be no fooling around.
The FE probably had to ask the FO to ask the Capt to go the toilet/blow his nose/ sneeze/ etc.
Every time I've been in the jump seat there's been plenty of time for at least one of the crew to entertain me at most times except the takeoff roll and initial climbout and short finals. Lots of airlines specify no converstaion through to 10,000 feet - but I've never seen that observed.
I've been drawn into converstaions about all sorts of things not realted to aircraft.
I've seen jokes made as the raybans come out that all they do is sit around in the sun half the day - and this was on 1hr block time flights!!!
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