Cockpit Access

[Gareth Forwood]

Hi everyone,
I'm just wondering if anyone knows if the rules have changed post 9/11 regarding passengers getting to see the cockpit. I remember back in the '90s when I was a kid I was always able to on the long hauls, but I'm wondering if anyone has been able to recently.

[Michael Mak]

Not in Australia. Any cockpit visit is strictly before take-off or after landing when the aircraft is parked at the gate - on the crew's discretion.

Some airlines in Europe still allowed cockpit visit inflight. A friend of mine flew LH on HKG-MUC, he was able to visit the cockpit inflight.

My last cockpit visit was back in 2001 on CX 343 HKG-SYD.

[Rhys Xanthis]

I remember going to see the cockpit not so long ago

Cant remember when for the life of me though...may have been on a trip to/from Melbourne, the cabin crew asked if i wanted to go see the cockpit.

Got a look in a VB 738 cockpit last year, very nice to see. All the lights etc were off at that stage, but they turned them on so i could see everything

[Marty H]

As Michael said inflight cockpit access is now pre departure, but even that isnt a real good time as the flight crew are usually busy on setting the aircraft up and running pre-start checks, after arrival at the gate is usually the best time.

[Gareth Forwood]

Thanks for all that - It's been a while since I've flown but since I've gotten interested in photography I want to try to get some cockpit photos. I'll give it a try next time I go to Melbourne.

[Tim Bowrey]

Hey Gareth,
I have always asked the flight attendants during flight if i could stick my head in after the flight and have only been turned down once out of about 6 times some of which I have acctually been able to sit in the seats.

I took Sam Chui's option of writing a small letter outlining how your love aviation and enjoy taking photos and if a quick photo in the flightdeck would be possible after flight. It worked when i was on 747-300 EBX in Perth(although i was a 17 by myself)

A question for everyone else? Are tri-pods aloud on planes? As im travelling VS201 and we arrive in HKG at night i wanted to try a few exposure shots during flight and not sure if they would think of a tri-pod as some sort of weapon. If not, what can i do?

Tim

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Michael Mak

Not in Australia. Any cockpit visit is strictly before take-off or after landing when the aircraft is parked at the gate - on the crew's discretion.

Some airlines in Europe still allowed cockpit visit inflight. A friend of mine flew LH on HKG-MUC, he was able to visit the cockpit inflight.

My last cockpit visit was back in 2001 on CX 343 HKG-SYD.

Hate to sound like im a party breaker but i cannot believe airlines will do that now, unless you have be security cleared or known to the company. As much as i want to check out the flight deck during flight, I would rather feel safe during flight than random people having access to the flightdeck. On the ground is a different story, i pushing kids out the way so i can see.

[David Ramsay]

I have been told, in uniform, that my tripod was a 'clubbing hazard' and I could not take it through.

Reminds me of the infamous shoes incident at LAX with the CX captain.

[Andrew P]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Hate to sound like im a party breaker but i cannot believe airlines will do that now, unless you have be security cleared or known to the company. As much as i want to check out the flight deck during flight, I would rather feel safe during flight than random people having access to the flightdeck. On the ground is a different story, i pushing kids out the way so i can see.

I know an Asain airline (A310) that still allows Cockpit visits,

Banjo

[Luke Chittock]

Howdy Tony

Originally Posted by Tony G

Hate to sound like im a party breaker but i cannot believe airlines will do that now, unless you have be security cleared or known to the company. As much as i want to check out the flight deck during flight, I would rather feel safe during flight than random people having access to the flightdeck. On the ground is a different story, i pushing kids out the way so i can see.

I can back Michaels comments up - my experiences (just being a plane geek - no ASIC and not a company employee) have been on OS and NZ post 9/11... obviosly nothing like post 9/11 though.

Regards

Luke/PER