A pilot lets his girlfriend sit in the cockpit. She posts it on social media. A blogger notices and complains on Weibo. Outrage grows. Many are punished. The pilot is banned for life. But was the reaction a bit much?
What Is Air Guilin?
The incident occurred on Air Guilin, a Guangx-based airline based at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. Air Guilin is a joint-venture between troubled HNA, which also owns Hainan and Hong Kong Airlines, and the Guilin Municipal Government. It began flying in 2016 and has a fleet of three Airbus A319 and eight A320.
What Happened Onboard?
On January 4, Air Guilin flight GT1011 took off from Guilin (KWL) to Yangzhou (YTY). Onboard, the captain was traveling with his girlfriend, a flight attendant in training at Guilin University. During the flight (allegedly), the captain allowed her to enter the cockpit, where she posed for the picture below:
She posted the picture on one of her own social media accounts, with the caption, “Thanks to the captain. So happy.”
Although the incident occurred in January, it just went viral this week after a Chinese aviation blogger stumbled upon the picture and wrote about it.
Heads Rolls At Air Guilin
As outrage spread like a California wildfire on Weibo, Air Guilin acted swiftly;
- The (unnamed) pilot was banned for life from flying
- Xu Xin, the Air Guilin CEO, was issued a “serious warning” + three-month salary cut
- Qu Taoji, General Manager, received a “major warning”+ three-month salary cut + demotion
- Yang Wenzhong, Deputy Maintenance Manager, received a three-month salary cut
- Yin Ruiji, Safety Director, received a three-month salary cut
- Shi Ziqiaoand, General Manager of the Air Security Department, received a three-month salary cut
An Air Guilin spokesperson told the BBC that the pilot had “violated rules by allowing irrelevant personnel into the cockpit”, adding:
Passengers’ safety is always Air Guilin’s priority. We take a zero-tolerance approach against any inappropriate and unprofessional behavior that might risk the aviation safety.
Overeaction?
Under Chinese law, passengers are not allowed to enter the cockpit absent special approval or under “necessary” circumstances. This clearly did not fit either exception. No punishments are specified.
Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic, but I hope we one day return to the day when little Joey can visit the flight deck in-flight. I’d personally love to visit the flight deck in-flight…one thing I’ve never done. At the very least, I’m not sure how letting in a friend or loved on for a quick tour or picture when the aircraft is cruising on autopilot is really a safety risk. Thus, I’m not really outraged by this incident.
I know, I know. 9/11. The Germanwings incident. Better safe than sorry, right? I suppose that is the way it has to be in the world in which we live. But I think we should loosen up a bit…
And I know punishing leaders and managers who had nothing directly to do with the incident is the way China does things, but it strikes me as a bit much that a Deputy Maintenance Manager would be punished for the rogue act of a captain.
The punishments were self-imposed by CEO Xu himself, including his own salary cut. #SocialCreditSystem
CONCLUSION
Earlier today, the Global Times likened this incident to an Aeroflot crash that took place in 1994 when a pilot allowed his children to “take control” of the flight. Seriously? This was just a picture and it isn’t even clear to me that the picture was taken in-flight.
Am I the only one who is outraged far more at the overreaction to this incident than the incident itself?
I don’t think it’s an overreaction. Maybe a quick peep from the back at most (and even then I’m concerned about the security). Letting a passenger sit in the pilot’s seat is too much. Look at Aeroflot Flight 593.
Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it:
https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/28/world/tape-confirms-the-pilot-s-son-caused-crash-of-russian-jet.html
Came here to say this. IMO, the seriousness of the incident isn’t so much that she was allowed in the cockpit, but that she sat at the captain’s chair in-flight. She could’ve accidentally switched off (or on) a number of systems without the flight crew realising. Which is exactly what happened in the lead-up to the accident you mention.
Same episode came to mind (when the pilot’s son caused the plane to crash). Allowing unnecessary civilians in the cockpit creates room for safety hazards like the civilian accidentally pushing buttons and changing the plane’s configuration; and, in the unlikely event that an emergency occurs, you’d rather have two pilots in the cockpit not one pilot and a useless civilian. Most times nothing happens and everything is smooth but you’re just adding unnecessary risk.
There is no question discipline was merited. But the level at which this was handled went above and beyond anything reasonable.
I agree with the pilot. 🙂
Was it, though? What if she had accidentally switched off any of the plane’s systems while at the captain’s chair mid-flight? That’s exactly what happened on Aeroflot 593: the pilot decided it was a good idea to have his son take his chair during a flight, the kid inadvertently touched the yoke with enough strength to disengage the autopilot, the flight crew was unable to understand the plane’s behaviour (since they hadn’t done anything that would explain it), so it became unrecoverable, resulting in a fatal crash killing everyone on board.
The big question for me is if the aircraft was in-flight. If that is on the ground It’s hardly a big deal, if any dealer at all. Cockpit doors are open usually, kids get to say hello, etc.
I am sure any pilot can look at the photo and discern from the throttle position and instruments if this was during flight.
It’s an Airbus but their isn’t enough clear detail in the picture to say for certain if it’s in flight. The throttles do look like they are in the climb detent which would be the normal position during cruise.
I have to think this had to have happened in flight. On the ground it would have been a non event.
“I’m not joking, and don’t call me Shirley.”
It would make it worse if she breaks up with him after the incident. 🙂
This should have been dealt with severely. China has a new class of rich people who think the rules don’t apply to them.
Anything for the ultimate selfie on social media…though granted, not a problem limited to the Chinese.
Still, they know the rules, and cockpits are better without visitors.
Its not an overeaction. The right message to folks in China and rest of the world. There should be zero tolerence policy.
Any one (including employees not on duty) shouldn’t be in the cockpit while the plane is moving on land or in air. Its lives at risk and we all learnt a hard lesson with the 1994 Aeroflot incident that one of the fellow commentators called out.
Great reaction & practice, the cockpit is no place for friends or family to frolic around. Its a serious environment space that concerns hundred of lives,
There is no room for “joey” in any aircraft cockpit while airborne surely as an attorney you can see the inherent liability of this. Good for Air Guilin, the school and all parties.
In the last 3 years, my 11 year old son has flown up front on a 737-700 Mango (SAA), AeroMexico RJ, and a Swiss A220…. Just by asking and talking about his 777 and 737 simulator time.
My wife and I were speechless when the Swiss flight’s quick tour turned into the entire flight. As we started making our final descent, we laughed looking over at the wasted empty business class seat next to us.
I’m a pilot and have been one for longer than most of you folks have been alive.
I also recall, as a child, being lucky enough to have been invited to visit aircraft flight decks during the flight a few times – it was not that unusual back in the day. But the critical distinction was: all those visits were always limited to standing (respectfully) in the doorway — at a distance from anything critical — and looking.
But getting within reach of the aircraft controls? Sitting in the captain’s seat while the aircraft is in flight? What kind of complete moron would ever, ever allow or advocate for that? Of course that would be an outrage. It would also be a clear indication that those involved clearly did not exercise the judgement and common sense required to be part of any air crew. ANY.
The photo does appear to have been taken in flight. I agree with those who say bravo to the airline, but I would go quite a bit further: this would be a career-ending violation of not just regulations, but also basic common sense, in my book. Not just for the PIC, but for anyone on the flight crew who was aware of what happened, and did not speak up – right down to cabin crew (flight attendants). Fear of speaking up when flagrantly unsafe things are done is just as dangerous as the stupid pilot tricks. Zero tolerance, period.
I am astonished that any responsible adult could look at this and just shrug, say it’s no big deal, and happily move on. But I guess that kind of thinking explains a lot of today’s world.
The point above about people thinking that rules don’t apply to them is sot-on, whether you’re from China or anywhere. That’s at the root of a lot of the world’s problems, or haven’t you noticed?
“But I guess that kind of thinking explains a lot of today’s world.”
I’m for eliminating airport security as well.
I don’t disagree with you on that. Airport security is all just for show.
Still stand by everything in my post.
I see this a bit like if a heart surgeon invited his girlfriend into the operating room and she took a photo holding a scalpel.
This was so so dumb. It wasn’t just an “oops” type of mistake. Part of being a [good] pilot is displaying good judgment and this guy was thinking with the wrong head.
The pilot being fired was stupid but everyone else getting demotions and pay cuts is over the top.
Xu Xin, the Air Guilin CEO, was issued a “serious warning” + three-month salary cut
Qu Taoji, General Manager, received a “major warning”+ three-month salary cut + demotion
Yang Wenzhong, Deputy Maintenance Manager, received a three-month salary cut
Yin Ruiji, Safety Director, received a three-month salary cut
Shi Ziqiaoand, General Manager of the Air Security Department, received a three-month salary cut
I don’t like authoritarian governments, but…respect. We never see the people in charge get punished in the west like this.
Yes I think you are an idiot .. is it joke to sneak around cockpit while flying ?? …