‘Parents who don’t follow these three simple rules can make flights worse for their children’
SUMMER holidays are just around the corner, meaning we'll soon be inundated with requests from parents asking if their kids can see the cockpit.
But there are some rules for doing this that a lot of parents aren't aware of that can leave them and their child disappointed when we ultimately have to say no.
In this week's blog for Sun Online Travel I'll reveal when you can and when you can't see the cockpit, so you can get that all important picture of your child with the pilot.
Firstly, you can't visit the cockpit when the plane's in the air, or even if the engines are running.
We shouldn't be distracting the pilot at all during the flight and dragging a procession of kids into the cockpit, while they're busy flying the plane, is something we just can't do.
There are often parents shocked to hear this and upset when we have to say no to them, but they just need to be aware of the safety rules and also show a little common sense.
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Something could go wrong, but if the pilot's busy posing for pictures, they might not spot it. They really need to concentrate during that time.
This leads me nicely onto rule number two, don't ask us if your kid can see the cockpit when we're clearly busy.
This usually happens as we're boarding people onto the plane - which is probably the busiest time of our shift.
As keen as you are to go and see the pilot, this is a terrible time to ask us.
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If we're standing around not doing a lot, then it's okay, but the chances of that happening as you're all getting on the aircraft are very slim.
Please, assess the situation before you ask us and make sure we're not rushed off our feet before asking us.
The best time to see the cockpit is once the plane has touched down and the engines are turned off.
However, if the pilots have to dash off, you might not get your picture with them.
Sometimes the engineers are happy to step in for a tour, but they'll be in high-vis rather than a nice suit, so it's not likely to be the photo you were hoping for.
However, it's better than nothing and it's certainly not part of their job description, so don't be too ungrateful if that happens.
Also, just because it's the best time to see the cockpit, it's certainly not the best time to ask us about it.
Don't wait until you're getting off the plane because that will almost definitely be a no.
The best time to ask us about it is just after the plane has reached cruising altitude and the seatbelt signs are switched off.
Then we can find out if it'll be possible once we've landed.
That way the pilot will be relaxed, they'll have finished the flight and it shouldn't be a problem to let you in for a couple of minutes.
Finally, if you are going to come into the cockpit, you have to put food and drinks bottles in your bags.
People come in either letting their kids drink or munch on snacks, or they do it themselves.
Food and drink absolutely cannot be anywhere near the equipment in the cockpit. Again, it should be common sense, but people seem to forget about that when they get on our planes.
So before you go in search of your cockpit holiday photos, please think about all of this because it'll make your life easier as well as ours.
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Meanwhile, this pilot recommended a clever way to always be the first off the plane.
And another pilot revealed why you should never change your seat mid-flight.
