2 ANA pilots suspended for allowing passengers in cockpit

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20040824p2a00m0dm012000c.html

Two All Nippon Airways (ANA) pilots were suspended from duty on Tuesday for allowing dozens of passengers into the cockpit of their plane during a flight in July, government officials said.

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry suspended the commanding captain of the chartered flight for 60 days.

Another captain who was in the cabin waiting to take over control of the aircraft has also been suspended from duty for 20 days for failing to stop the passengers from entering the cockpit. The government regulator also issued a written warning to the two co-pilots of the flight.

[Karenina]

1. This is so sad.

The first time I flew alone (at 15) I was scared shitless (after insisting I was a big enough girl that my mom could leave me) and walking out on the tarmac to the stairs leading up to this HUMONGOUS METAL BIRD. I stood at the bottom and burst into tears. A flight attendant came down to bolster my courage, then the pilot came out of the cockpit and introduced himself. During the flight he sent for me. I was taken to him and talked to me about what he did. From that moment on I was enamoured and trusting of the graying guys who flew the big birds...

[DemoTex]

2. The good old days.

However, I closed my cockpit long before the FAA did. I saw the writing on the wall. I was covered by my company's FAA-approved Operations Manual, which prohibited ANY visitors at ANY time. Sorry Disney-bound kids.

[JohnyCanuck]

3. Flew jump seat in a 707 once.

One of my fond memories was flying in the jump seat behind the Captain in a 707 between Kingston, Jamaica and San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was about 30 years ago. I was an 18 year old student pilot and while enroute to Barbados from Miami, Fla during a stop over in Jamaica I asked a flight attendant if I could go up to the cockpit and just take a gander. She asked the captain and he said to come on up. When I told the captain I was a student pilot he immediately asked if I'd like to stay up front and ride in the jump seat the next leg of the flight. To say I was thrilled would have been the understatement of the year.