In a recent social media post, Paul Holte, a pilot working for United Airlines, shared some of the annoying questions people often ask him and his colleagues in the aviation industry. In the video shared on Instagram, Holte humorously portrayed simulated dialogues addressing these common yet irksome queries.
One of the first questions Holte mentioned is whether he or the other person in the cockpit is the “real pilot.” He emphasized that both he, as the captain, and the first officer are indeed pilots, with some first officers even having more experience than him.
Mocking those who inquire about his knowledge of other pilots’ names, Holte explained the vast number of pilots within his company alone, totaling up to 17,000. Additionally, asking about a pilot’s flight route seems pointless to Holte as he frequently flies both domestically and internationally to various destinations like Europe, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.
For individuals who claim to have traveled to more places than him, Holte reminded them that he flew approximately 400,000 miles (640,000 kilometers) last year alone, highlighting the extensive travel pilots undertake.
While a 30-minute delay may be frustrating for some passengers, Holte pointed out that it’s crucial for the flight crew to have sufficient rest before boarding to comply with regulations, hence shifting perspectives on what may seem like a minor inconvenience.
Regarding the misconception that modern aircraft are mostly operated by autopilot systems, Holte expressed his preference for manual flying. He clarified that even when utilizing autopilot, pilots must oversee and control the aircraft similar to cruise control in cars.
Holte disclosed that among the peculiar questions asked, some individuals inquire if pilots have encountered unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the air. He humorously noted sightings of Starlink, a service provided by SpaceX using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, which often appear as UFO-like phenomena.
Holte’s cautionary advice to passengers included refraining from attempting to secure free upgrades to first class, emphasizing the complexity behind such requests. Another pilot responded to Holte’s video, highlighting the question “Which flight route do you fly?” as one of the most bothersome queries they encounter.
Moreover, pilots have shared additional etiquettes for air travelers, advising against certain behaviors such as walking barefoot to the restroom, refraining from closing window shades during takeoff and landing, and remaining seated until the aircraft has reached the gate before standing up.
In conclusion, aside from steering clear of asking these “silly” questions, pilots have also urged passengers to be mindful of specific guidelines to ensure a comfortable and safe flight experience.