do you read in the cockpit?

[Green]

the worst are the guys who insist on keeping a dark cockpit, strongly discourage reading (because it's against sop's), and then halfway through a red eye are sound asleep. Real professional...

 

[PITA]

Reading

Are these the same guy's that fold their underwear three times before putting them away in the suitcase.

Get a Freaking life!!!
and stay out of mine

 

[FN FAL]

If someone asked you this on an interview, how would you reply? Serious answers only please.

Of course, how in the hell are you going to get your weight balance done?

 

[spacecadet1]

When I was at a commuter airline (in the old days, that's what they were called), an FO related a time he had to tell the Captain to put the newspaper down, as they were at the DH on an ILS with nothing in sight, and he was going missed. Talk about a laid back Captain.

 

[dollacrackho]

any guy that does an interview and asks that question is a freakin pillow biter . gimme a freakin break, ask some pertinent questions for god sakes.

 

[front9]

No sir I do not read unauthorized material in the cockpit to distract me from my work. Thats what the gameboy is for.

 

[User546]

A good answer is:
"Yes I read from time to time in the cockpit... the Emergency Checklists and Procedures just so I can keep them fresh in my head in case the time arrives that I need them."

My big-big boss always sits in the middle left seat in back, which gives him a perfect view of my side of the cockpit. So it's hard for me to get away with reading anything, although the Captains usually put in a good 30 minutes or so every flight reading magazines and newspapers out of sight.

One time out of sheer boredom I was flipping thru the Emergency Checklists looking at emergencies I had never thought of, and the Captain started talking to me so I had it propped up on my knee, but wasn't paying any attention to it. After about a minute one of our guys yell from the back "Why you reading about Engine Failures??" I just smiled back and said "We had to shut one down a couple minutes ago, you didn't hear that?" He got all serious, and started looking out the window at one of the engines while I laughed.

Since then, I've always been very concious what they can see that I'm reading!

 

[scarface]

I would respond that I have, and will, comply with the Flight Operations Manual and its appropriate guidance. I would then be able to at least paraphrase that guidance.

 

[Sam Snead]

I have read non-pertinent material in flight. So have you. So have all the captains, check airmen, etc that sit on your interview board.

AFAIK, the "have you ever broken a reg?" question is common and you're better off having a creative answer ready.

Them: Have you ever read a newspaper or magazine [or some such question] while on duty on the flightdeck?

You: No, sir/ma'am, I know that's prohibited by [insert manual or reg here]. But one night on a long flight from ABC to XYZ, I did read a short note and a picture that a little girl in 41F wanted the FAs to give to 'the pilot'


The only time during an interview i would admit to breaking a reg would be that if I could explain how my actions were necessary and conducive to safety.

The interviewers who ask questions that tempt a candidate to incriminate themselves are wasting everybody's time. It's a Catch-22. If you say 'yes' than you're a rule-breaker. If you say 'no' then you're a liar. It's lose-lose and a good interviewer knows so.

I invite interview airmen to chime in!!

Almost everybody reads. Just don't admit it on your interview.

 

[skykid]

If someone asked you this on an interview, how would you reply? Serious answers only please.

I would answer honestly and then seriously consider whether I want to work for a company that asks this kind of a question in an interview.

 

[GravityHater]

Yes,... but I always clock out first so you won't have to be paying me.

Yes,....but I didn't inhale (but I didn't actually absorb the words)

 

[NYCPilot]

Is this even a very common question asked?

Aside from reading any of these responses, it wouldn't seem like a good idea to admit to reading anything in leisure while flying. It seems like you're supposed to be focusing on the instruments and looking outside.

Obviously, if this were a serious question by an interviewer, they are undoubtedly looking to see how you answer. Purely an open-ended question. You are expected to be caught off-guard and perhaps sheepishly admit to having read a newspaper or magazine while flying, and I don't see how an honest answer will help you in anyway. Being able to answer tactfully should be enough for them. I suppose they want to see how you handle questions of this nature and how you either wiggle out of them or provide a reasonable answer. It may not necessarily be the question but the type of question and the reaction it elicits. You won't necessarily have to lie, just admit to reading flight related material; anything else would seem unsafe and not reccomended.

 

[whymeworry?]

the worst are the guys who insist on keeping a dark cockpit, strongly discourage reading (because it's against sop's), and then halfway through a red eye are sound asleep. Real professional...

Exactly! These are the same "by-the-bookers" ,with regards to this reading in the cockpit rule, are the ones who continue to fly fatigued.

Since our FAA mandated "rest" starts at block in, anybody on a reduced rest overnight knows what I'm referring to. So it's OK for you to fly fatigued, but reading in the cockpit is off limits because your so by the book? Give me a break.I would bet better than 20% of U.S. pilots fly fatigued at any given time. I know, I know, we're suppose to bang in a fatigue call if ncessary but how many times do you think your company will accept your fatigue calls? Once, maximum twice a year. After that they're going after you.

I've flown with captains who tell me no reading yet I watch them break half a dozen rules over a 4-day trip, including falling asleep on climbout. Yeah, they're real examples of professionalism.

I'm sure it's more than 98% of our industry that reads on the flight deck. The company knows it, the FAA knows it but they put this stuff in the manuals for public consumption.

But as far as an interview question, tell them you read your manuals to bone up on aircraft systems. That way you don't lie and you haven't violated any rules either.

 

[bocefus]

I only read the newspapers that are stuck in the windows to block the sun.

 

[59PA]

Other than during a critical phase of flight, where is it published that reading in the cockpit is prohibited?

 

[bafanguy]

Other than during a critical phase of flight, where is it published that reading in the cockpit is prohibited?

Peter,

It is most likely published in the company ops manual where requirements are carefully defined. You may not agree/like that, but if you signed on and agreed to abide by company policy...well, what can you say ?

You don't have to like the plan; you just have to live with it. The "plan" may allow for recreational reading on the flight deck. If so, no problem. If not...well, what can I say ?

 

[100LL... Again!]

Our checklists are in crossword form...

 

[PHXFLYR]

any guy that does an interview and asks that question is a freakin pillow biter . gimme a freakin break, ask some pertinent questions for god sakes.

But you forget...this is an America West interview we're talking about.


PHXFLYR

 

[PHXFLYR]

........

 

[PHXFLYR]

.......

 

[psysicx]

So how do you stay busy on long flights?

 

[GravityHater]

Reading in the cockpit?
Just say,
"I gave upany thought of that the day a mooney buzzed 30ft below and ahead of me from my 2oclock to my 10 oclock, and while I was cranking and yanking 6Gs to avoid him he was obvliviously reading his Daily Telegram fully spread out in both hands and obviously on autopilot."