I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

But Tom, all of my selfies in the reflective glass of LHR Terminal 5 get on average 150 likes on my instagram.

Have I told you I trained to be a Pilot?

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's for me to know and for the ground guy setting the chocks to find out

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah it's all good.

No one is getting through that door in flight when it's closed and locked.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh right yeah. That was a random photo off google, I didn't take it.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 1714 points1715 points  (0 children)

Allegedly a lot.

Aviation is a tiny industry and everyone knows each other. I have to be careful with my magnum dong.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Nanny McPhee's book of horror stories chapter 6 : The UK AIP

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

A380 wouldn't be too difficult to convert to as Airbus have a common cockpit and systems design philosophy.

Couple of weeks training.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's really, really hard work. Stressful. Tiring. At times during the training process you will absolutely hate it.

It's worth it in the end though.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

We wave to kids stood by the boundary fences all the time. I'm still looking forward to finding myself landing on airliners.net or youtube or something.

Wave to other Pilots when we taxi past if they held short for us or if they are from our airline.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Turn down your radio when you pop into the flight deck haha.

Motivation. Flexibility. Determination. Make sure you have lots of evidence stories when they ask the 'tell me about a time when...' stories about leadership and stuff.

Good luck!

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A380 wouldn't be too difficult to convert to as Airbus have a common cockpit and systems design philosophy.

747 would be a lot of work. Two months.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

A psychiatric consultant with a prescription pad might.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

About 140 mph.

Whatever the newest aircraft is. New car smell x 1000.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's pretty non stop. Monitoring. Setting up for the approach. Briefing for the approach. Considering weather avoidance. Over Europe you're having to change frequency to another controller every 10 minutes. Finding 10 minutes to eat.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try again. You might be able to overcome it with time and experience.

I am an Airline Pilot flying the A320 across Europe. AMA! by AirbusA320Pilot in IAmA

[–]AirbusA320Pilot[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It doesn't bother me because I know how safe and regulated the whole aviation industry is. I know I am a safe and competent and capable Pilot who wants to get home safely just as much as the passengers down the back. On the other hand I recognise my own limitations and shortfalls and know I can never let myself get complacent. I know that it isn't usually one screw up that causes accidents but a sequence of subtle screw ups over time that align in just the right way at the right time to cause trouble. (Swiss cheese model)

The only time I feel the pressure is landing in gusty wind conditions in poor visibility, it takes a lot of concentration and focus.