• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Pilots » Maybe It’s Time To Let Passengers Visit Cockpit Again During Flight…
PilotsUnited Airlines

Maybe It’s Time To Let Passengers Visit Cockpit Again During Flight…

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 3, 2024 42 Comments

a man and boy holding a model airplane

Perhaps I am hopelessly naive, but I was not at all disturbed by the recent controversy over a passenger sitting in the cockpit on a recent United Airlines charter flight. In fact, I think it’s time to let kids (and big kids) visit the flight deck once again in-flight.

United Airlines Pilots In Trouble For Unauthorized Cockpit Visit

Two United Airlines pilots have been suspended after allowing a coach from the Colorado Rockies baseball team to walk into the cockpit and sit down in the captain’s chair duing a recent MLB charter from Denver to Toronto.

A video posted on Instagram and later deleted shows coach Hensley Meulens in the cockpit with the uniformed pilot standing behind him. United expressed shock over the event:

“We’re deeply disturbed by what we see in that video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged. As a clear violation of our safety and operational policies, we’ve reported the incident to the FAA and have withheld the pilots from service while we conduct an investigation.”

Since 9/11, cockpit visits have been off-limits per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and United’s own company policy. That policy applies to both commercial and charter flights.

Time To Open Flight Decks Again?

I thnk it’s clear this was a big no-no and the pilots should be held accountable for allowing this to happen. Just because we do not like a rule, does not mean we don’t have to follow it. While I hope these pilots are not fired for their offense, it is a serious one and it seems that some level of puntive consequence would be reasonable.

That said, is it perhaps time to reconsider the ban on flight deck visits?

I suppose some will be shocked I ever brought it up. Allow a random person into the cockpit of a $200 million machine with hundreds of souls in the cabin? Are you crazy?!

Well, I miss those days and can’t think of anything cooler than letting my son go up, like Joey, and say hello to the crew (hopefully on a flight without Captain Oveur) and look out the front windows as the plane glides gracefully through the air.

We do, after all, go through security screenings. Have we no trust in the TSA? Must we always take the safest route rather than perform a risk-benefit analysis that also factors in the magic of a cockpit visit?

Oh, I think it’s a hopeless dream, in the USA at least, but I no longer view it as a valid safety concern.

How about you?


image: Paramount Picutures

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article JetBlue Bans Jewish Passenger For Complaining About Flight Attendant’s Palestine Pin
Next Article When A Cockpit Door Turns Into A “Dutch Door” On Southwest Airlines

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Pre-Departure Beverage Economy

    Pre-Departure Beverage…In Economy Class?!

    May 9, 2025
  • Richard Quest Island Hopper

    “We Are Delivering The Mail And Milk!” Richard Quest Flies The United Airlines Island Hopper

    May 9, 2025
  • Scott Kirby Newark Airport Slot Controls

    United Airlines CEO Says Newark Airport Is Safe—But There’s Just One Problem

    May 7, 2025

42 Comments

  1. whocares Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 1:29 pm

    that was allowed?

    I sat in the cockpit as a kid once — when it was on the ground.

    But in flight? That happened before?

    • Alert Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 2:52 pm

      @whocares … with today’s moron passengers , it would be stupidly asking for trouble . What would be next … a moron passenger bringing up his snarling pit bull dog ?

      • Tony N Reply
        May 3, 2024 at 6:47 pm

        LOL. or a crazy, yapping Chihuahua.

    • Mr. Marcus Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 4:05 pm

      I never got to sit in the pilot’s seat, but once the seatbelt sign went off, and it always stayed off for the duration of the flight back then– it was pretty regular to walk past all of the passengers, none of whom had even had their ID checked in order to board the plane, and many of whom were smoking in the cabin, up to the cockpit, where the pilots were smoking and flying the plane to see the controls and have a fun chat with the team flying the plane.

      Often that’s when they’d hand out the plastic wings to pin on your shirt.

      And for a little extra, I’ll point out that when smoking was banned in the cabins of planes in 1990, the pilots were still allowed to smoke in the cockpit.

    • Jim Reply
      May 4, 2024 at 1:29 pm

      I’m an airline pilot. My office is very small (although it’s a wide body, so it’s big compared to smaller jets.). How would you like to have someone sitting I’m an airline pilot. I fly a wide body jet so the cockpit is a bit larger than smaller jets. Nevertheless, how would you like to have someone sitting, literally, at your back, in your spacious office, while you are trying to do your job?

      • StanMarsh Reply
        May 6, 2024 at 1:55 pm

        I think you should delete that. Or re-read what you wrote? Are you on a 32hour layover maybe?

  2. MikePS Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 1:40 pm

    I am with you Matt! Back in the 80s, I had a British Caledonian logbook I received from the Captain on a flight from Recife to London. Every flight I took I would go to the cockpit, and the captain would sign my logbook, sadly I have no idea where it went. Couple of weeks ago, my daughters go to see the cockpit and sit on the ground at EWR for the first time – they were thrilled.

  3. Santastico Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 1:41 pm

    Could we start with allowing me to bring my $0.10 water bottle from Costco through security? That would be a great start.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 2:13 pm

      I’ll drink to that

  4. jfhscott Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 1:55 pm

    On the ground, finthe cockpit is viewed as off liie. But I think there is an envirinment of seriousness which we attain when the cockpit is viewed as off limits durin flight.

    We can, I think, dispense with the kabuki dance in which pilots and FA’s engagre when a pilot needs to go potty or when the pilots get fed.

  5. Lukas Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 1:59 pm

    “Have we no trust in the TSA?”

    Absolutely! How many guns go unnoticed each year? 95% from what I recall, so yeah, not a good idea.

  6. David Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 2:30 pm

    Pre-911 obviously, I was on an LH flight from FRA to PHL. First, someone had also been assigned my economy seat. I was moved up to business. Sweet! Crossing the Atlantic I noticed the cockpit door was open. I asked the FA if I could have a look. She asked the captain and he said sure. I was standing in the doorway and he told me to take the jumpseat. I sat up there for about 20 minutes.

    The two things that caught my attention is how expansive the view is from up there. And second, what a slow job it can be at times. The captain had his foot up on the forward panel. It was an Airbus 330 or 340. I don’t recall.

    • Greg Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 7:49 pm

      I was also once on LH, FRA-SFO for me. I and a family member were the only two people in the upper deck F cabin, and we were invited to visit the cockpit mid-flight. Shortly before descent, the purser came up and invited one of us to go to the cockpit for the landing. So, I’ve had the privilege of riding jumpseat on a 744 into SFO. One of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

  7. lavanderialarry Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 2:37 pm

    What an idiotic proposal.

    • Alert Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 2:50 pm

      @lavanderialarry … +1 .

    • DFW_Scott Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 10:17 pm

      Not no, but hell no !

  8. Craig Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 3:07 pm

    Our daughter is now 15, but on an Air France 777-300ER flight from LAX to CDG five years ago she was invited to sit in the cockpit jump seat for approach and landing. To this day she still talks about the experience, and the autographed flight map that hangs on her bedroom wall is one of her most prized possessions. When quizzed at the time about the legality of that generous offer, the pilot stated it’s entirely permissible but only within France’s air space and only with the unanimous consent of the flight deck crew.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 4, 2024 at 2:29 am

      So cool! Thanks for sharing.

  9. derek Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 3:41 pm

    An Aeroflot Airbus A310 captain let his two children in the cockpit on a flight to Hong Kong. The older son accidentally disengaged the autopilot by applying too much pressure on the yoke. The plane crashed killing everyone.

    No, I do not want passengers in the cockpit during flight. Before or after flight is different. During United Airlines Family Day at SFO, ok.

    I once was a passenger on a Britten Norman Trilander where I sat behind the pilot so that I was occupying the seat and nobody else. I didn’t want a psycho to crash the plane. A family member also occupied a seat in that row behind the pilot.

    • Kurt Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 6:25 pm

      There’s a crucial detail in that Aeroflot story you missed in that boy didn’t just “accidentally” disengage the autopilot while observing his father. His dad (the captain) acted recklessly by letting his son sit *in the captain’s seat* and “pretend” to fly the plane… while it was actually in the air. Every thing that boy did was at the suggestion of his egotistical father, and most other pilots know how reckless and stupid that is. There’s a difference between observing the pilots in the cockpit, and *sitting in the actual chair* with the yoke in your hands.

    • Tony N Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 6:43 pm

      That was a freak incident. I would think NO PILOT would allow anyone to sit at the controls.

      • Jack Reply
        May 4, 2024 at 12:49 am

        Did you read the story? The coach from the Colorado Rockies was allowed to do exactly that. Sitting in the captain’s seat and pretending to fly the plane.

  10. Maryland Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 3:44 pm

    After the LATAM flight attendant pushed a seat button that put the plane into a nosedive, I not confident anyone should visit the flight deck.

    Sadly for children interested in aviation this will be a missed opportunity to inspire.

  11. Fly boy Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 3:59 pm

    As a cabin crew member what you suggest is insane. Leave the whackos in the back locked away from the car clout.

  12. Karl Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 5:03 pm

    While I was based at the American Embassy in Manila 84-88 I flew on many Philippine Airline flights regionally and long haul. At that time I held a commercial multi-engine rating license. After awhile I got to know many cabin and cockpit crew members. Then many pilots would leave the door open. All I had to do is tell the Purser I was a pilot and he would get the Capt. and bingo I was invited in the flight deck. I flew many trips sitting behind the Capt. on DC-10’s from MNL-SYD and return or on reginal flights to BKK and HKG. Was a lot of fun. Met a lot of nice guys. It also flew before 911 with Lufthansa in and out of FRA. Then all it took was to show your pilot’s license to the LH Capt. Got to do several 737 landings in FRA sitting behind the Capt.
    Sadly we got hit with 911 and that all went away.

    • Alert Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 7:19 pm

      @Karl … Did you ride through any typhoons ? That’s living .

      • Maryland Reply
        May 3, 2024 at 8:05 pm

        @ alert.

        Oct 30 2000 spent too many hours in a 747 flying through a major typhoon. Rocked the front of the plane like a car wash mid pacific for hours. That storm followed me into Thailand, then the islands for days. Good times.

        • Alert Reply
          May 4, 2024 at 8:33 am

          @maryland … +1 . The 747 could handle it ; not so sure about the passengers , though .

          • Maryland
            May 5, 2024 at 6:37 pm

            Oddly the rocking became hypnotic. Except for the blast of an occasional gust that hit the big bird like a baseball bat. Upfront no one was stressed. The 747 was the queen alright. However I would not wanted to be the pilots.

  13. JD Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 6:02 pm

    what’s the feeling on bullet proof/tamper proof window that lets you peer into the cockpit?

    • Alert Reply
      May 3, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      @JD … No professional would want morons to look over one’s shoulder .

  14. Tony N Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 6:41 pm

    NO. You can’t predict the sanity or insanity of people’s behavior these days.
    …I visited the flight deck of an Air Canada flight way back in the 1990’s and the captain started talking about salaries and job benefits of pilots but I wanted to talk about the flight computer, the FMC, the flight management computer.

  15. Joe United Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 6:50 pm

    No, we do not trust TSA. Last week a male TSA agent rubbed his hand up an down my covered penis a few times instead of looking for guns or bombs in suitcases. I did not complain because as a man I realize that a complaint from a male does not carry the same weight at a complaint from a female. I found it deeply humiliating and embarrassing and it angers me my complaint would not have been taken seriously.

  16. A220HubandSpoke Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 10:34 pm

    You could charge passengers a fee to enter thr cockpit too.

    The bean counters will love this one

  17. Chi Hsuan Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 11:17 pm

    On my first international trip with my Dad when I was maybe 8, we were on a flight from Copenhagen to Bergen on SAS. Mid flight one of the flight attendants invited me to the cockpit, and I spent a few minutes with the pilots. They explained the controls to me and even let me change the heading on the autopilot. It was one of the most exciting things that ever happened to me at the time. I remember it very well to this day and I decided right then and there that I wanted to fly planes.

    Years later I got my private license and have visited 60 countries and counting, all because some kind pilots did something nice for an excited little boy who loved airplanes.

  18. Aaron Reply
    May 3, 2024 at 11:34 pm

    Perhaps it’s time to ban stupid dumb bloggers/shittyproduct-pushers/2024 dumbos!

  19. PM1 Reply
    May 4, 2024 at 1:22 am

    I remember spending about 20 minutes in a cockpit of a long haul flight when I was 10 years old full of wonder. It was my first long-haul flight in the non-smoking section (they had playing cards but no games for kids). The captain was a friend of my family. Wish we could have those times back.

  20. Jerry Reply
    May 4, 2024 at 9:40 am

    I flew CGH-RRJ two weeks ago on a single engine Cessna operated by Azul. Being seated in 1A, I basically flew in the cockpit. I didn’t pose, nor detect, any safety threats.

  21. Travelgirl Reply
    May 4, 2024 at 2:45 pm

    Perhaps it’s not a problem on a charter flight but not a snow ball’s chance on a regular flight. Too many crazies in the back. Please refer to the videos you send us of said crazies.

  22. Waluigi Reply
    May 4, 2024 at 10:55 pm

    Sorry Matt, but it seems tone-deaf to suggest this in the current sociopolitical environment, I mean look at the people yelling “death to America” on the streets of major US cities, do you really think letting random people in the cockpit is a good idea?

  23. Asdf Reply
    May 5, 2024 at 2:55 pm

    Meanwhile in-flight disruptions by unruly passengers is still above 2019 levels. This article is ignorant.

  24. Noel Reply
    May 5, 2024 at 6:52 pm

    How about basing your argument on facts instead of emotion. I miss it, so it should happen?

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Denver Airport Business Class
    $19K Business Class…On Your Dime: Denver Airport Execs Take Luxury Jaunt To Spain May 9, 2025
  • Pre-Departure Beverage Economy
    Pre-Departure Beverage…In Economy Class?! May 9, 2025
  • Breeze Airways A220
    My First Time Flying Breeze Airways: Friendly, Fashionable, But Filthy… May 9, 2025
  • Richard Quest Island Hopper
    “We Are Delivering The Mail And Milk!” Richard Quest Flies The United Airlines Island Hopper May 9, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • a room with a table and benches
    Where To Smoke At Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) April 26, 2025
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) May 1, 2025
  • United Airlines Refresh Polaris Lounge Chicago
    First Look: United Airlines Reopens Renovated Polaris Lounge In Chicago (ORD) April 29, 2025
  • a hand holding a blue card
    Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K Bonus Offer Ending Soon May 2, 2025

Archives

May 2025
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Apr    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.