What's the dumbest question you've been asked as a pilot?

[barrelroll]

Are you the "pilot" or the "pilot's helper"?

 

[bustinmins]

Wait a minute...you actually fly as a copilot?

reply: "Um, yes...every now and again..when the pilot is sleeping"

 

[bustinmins]

Before departing PHX to MCI a Passenger requested: "Can you point out "???", Kansas. It has a large grain elevator - you can't miss it!!!

 

[VWDrvr21]

I won't bother reading all these pages, but I know where this is going and what your intent is. I find it fascinating when pilots tend to 'put down' non-pilots. Lot of what we know, and consider, routine is something absolutely NEW to a non-pilot.

For instance, in a recent conversation with new college-graduate, I discovered that he thought that Ramp Agents who marshal aircraft in to gates are part of Air Traffic Control. Others thought that the Tower controls all traffic in the US, and most passengers think that Flight Attendants are there to provide food and drinks ONLY.

Doesn’t mean that these people are stupid. But your questions is implying the same and soliciting response to that effect.

I’m sure somewhere on the net there's a thread on a Surgeon/Physicians board with a question: What's the dumbest question you've been asked BY a pilot?

These people are stupid! I mean basic geography like 'is that the Atlantic Ocean?' when your departing Chicago? or"is that Nebraska? look for the one grain elevator.' I mean really! Most people are really so uninformed its amazing they get by. I have heard that 10% of this country,s population are the producers and the rest basically feed off of this 10%. I believe it!

 

[siucavflight]

"So when do you actually get to be the one flying the airplane?"

 

[dingo222]

I met the next darwin award winner today.....what do you mean we can't land during a thunderstorm? I golf during thunderstorms......

sir, i heard greens fees were half off this afternoon

 

[WalterSobchak]

For instance, in a recent conversation with new college-graduate, I discovered that he thought that Ramp Agents who marshal aircraft in to gates are part of Air Traffic Control. Others thought that the Tower controls all traffic in the US, and most passengers think that Flight Attendants are there to provide food and drinks ONLY.

Try explaining being a dispatcher to people. I just gave up with my mother and started telling her, "Yes, mom...I'm a tower controller".

 

[FlySacto]

These people are stupid! I mean basic geography like 'is that the Atlantic Ocean?' when your departing Chicago? or"is that Nebraska? look for the one grain elevator.' I mean really! Most people are really so uninformed its amazing they get by. I have heard that 10% of this country,s population are the producers and the rest basically feed off of this 10%. I believe it!

After a lot of research and observation, I've come to the conclusion that 50% of the population is below average.

 

[JettBoii]

I agree.

 

[Microclimates]

see-that just shows that you're a glass half-empty kind of guy! there's also 49% above average!

 

[jellynuts]

Q: Wow you're young. Did you miss your prom tonight to take us to philly?

A: Yeah and your daughter is really pissed about it.

 

[hawk16e]

A big difference - a 4-5 y/o asking if I were a pilot, where's my hat, or a college student if I know what all those guages (DC-9) do.

The kid gets an honest answer and the other gets "well, Iv'e learned about half of the ones on the overhead panel and most of the ones in front."

The look on the face is priceless.

 

[A Squared]

Them: Oh, you're from Kansas, do you live in Kansas City?
Me: No, Kansas City is not in Kansas.
Them: :erm:

Hmmm, maybe the response is a result of them not wishing to embarrass you by pointing out that there is a Kansas City, Kansas. Third largest City in Kansas, even. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City,_Kansas

Where did you say you're from again????????


Ooops, I see this has already been pointed out to our geographically challanged friend from Kansas. That's what I get for posting before my first cup of coffee and before reading the rest of hte thread.

 

[A Squared]

Regarding the "what is your route" question; yeah, I'm sure that it gets old (I suppose it does anyway, I don't get many questions from passengers, if they're on my plane they're usually in a box) However, it isn't something they just pulled out of their nether reigons. There was a time when pilots generally flew routes. (read Fate in the Hunter) Yeah, it ain't that way anymore, so they're a little behind the times, but it's not a stupid question, it's an outdated question.

It's not completely outdated, either, as a new F/e I flew the same route to the same 3 destination with the same Captain and F/o for about 3-4 months. So you still find "routes" just like in FITH, but what do I know, I'm still flying an airplane from half a century ago.

 

[mcjohn]

Ha. Fancy seeing you here A Squared. Routes? They should be asking what kind of routes pilots are flying. 5 leg? 7 leg? 9 leg?!

Weeeeeeell, I'm looking forward to this kind of route I guess :

CLT - FAY
FAY - CLT
CLT- LEX
LEX - CLT
CLT - FAY
FAY - CLT
CLT - CAE
CAE - CLT
CLT - AVL

Is just gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling inside to know my home town AVL is at the bottom of the list.