Ah, how times have changed…
Posted by Cap in Even More Ramblings |A few days ago I was on a 14 hour flight, bored out of my mind and I realized something: the days of taking your little kid to see the airliner’s cockpit during mid-flight is long gone.
Twenty years ago when I was a smaller brat, a nice TWA flight attendant asked me if I would like to see the cockpit — it was one of those cool little kids moment that you just don’t forget.
It’s a shame that my kids may not be able to experience the same wow factor.
8 Comments to “Ah, how times have changed…”
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March 5th, 2007 at 2:07 am
I remember getting the chance to do that too. Great memory – you also got a pin with wings to go on your shirt. Still have mine somewhere…
March 5th, 2007 at 10:00 am
I remember doing the same thing as a child. It’s too bad the world we live in today is too dangerous to allow something so innocent.
March 6th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Mid-flight visits may be gone but end of flight visits still happen. All you need is a very unhappy toddler and a steward/stewardess who is willing to promise him anything to help calm down the child. Happened to my just-turned three-year-old grandson last month when he was flying in with his mom for a funeral. Once on the ground they had a nice long visit to the cockpit, got to sit in the drivers seat and got the coveted pin. My daughter said rewards like that might encourage repeat out of control behavior. But Mom and son did enjoy the treat.
March 6th, 2007 at 11:33 am
As a pilot for an airline, I always welcome kids (and adults) to visit the cockpit.
Though visits during the flight are not allowed (which, I agree, would make the 14 hour flight go faster) you are always welcome to visit the flight deck before or after the flight.
And your kid doesn’t have to be unhappy to gain admission. Just ask the flight attendant, and I’m sure you will be allowed up for a visit.
March 6th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
aww yes.. the good ol days. When children got to explore the flight deck, bags of peanuts fell endlessly from the heavens, and no one turned a head when you were nailing a flight attendant in the bathroom so you could receive your mile high club wings. Those were the days.
March 7th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I remember getting to see the cockpit and getting a set of wings from the pilot when I was a kid.
Jeez, nowadays who has time to give the kiddies a treat like that? The pilot is probably up there in the cockpit swigging back a bottle of Jack Daniels and the flight attendent is initiating a celebrity into the “Mile High Club” in the restroom.
March 9th, 2007 at 4:44 am
ah I thought flight deck visit is gone completely, glad to read that it isn’t. at the very least, there are spiffy pilots like Berty that has no qualms about letting kids (and adults like us) visit the cockpit.
March 14th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Yeah, and today, the airline kicks you and your kids off the flight if you cannot get them to stop crying.