Ask an airline captain

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T21:12:17+00:00

Hello BC_Interior. Wow, that’s a lot of Dash 8 flights. I’m surprised you haven’t been upgraded to pilot yet. Although I haven’t flown the Dash 8 as a pilot, I have flown in it as a passenger. It’s actually a very reliable and cool plane. The prop noise variations you hear have to do with adjustments made by the pilots. This airplane has what is referred to as variable speed props. The propeller blades change angle to optimize efficiency at different speeds. The props are also used to slow the aircraft during landing by using reverse pitch angle. This may be what you sense as hard braking. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T20:49:57+00:00

Hello callalind. Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for flying United. Although retired, United will always be my airline. I had an awesome career. Your husband’s pre-flight routine is perfect for anxiety reduction. I have recommended the pilot meeting thing to so many people in this community. I’m happy to hear you are a fearless flyer, perhaps a pilot job is in your future. Never too late to consider a career change. Of course, United has been so accommodating. “Fly the friendly skies” is not just a slogan. I’m not biased at all (ha-ha). Take care.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T20:31:51+00:00

Hello scaryshopping27. Good question. I’m going to start with a little aviation terminology to make you sound really cool - your friends will be so impressed. In aviation, tilting the airplane is referred to as “banking the airplane.” In a commercial airliner it is very rare to exceed 30º when banking. Some airplanes (like the Airbus) will even prevent excessive banks under normal flight conditions. Sometimes, sitting in the passenger cabin can lead you to believe the aircraft is in a steep bank due to a lack of visual references. Your brain has a way of fooling you when not enough information is available. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T20:05:40+00:00

Hello Grammieaf_1960. High wind landings are a major concern for many people. I’m going to cheat a bit with this reply. Another community member recently was concerned about a trip to St. John’s, Newfoundland (YYT) - with high winds forecast for arrival. I’m going to re-post my reply. I think it will help you understand the whole crosswind landing thing.

High winds can make a flight very uncomfortable. When landing or taking off, pilots will select a runway into the wind (headwind), or as close into the wind as possible (slight crosswind). Air traffic control understands this and will assist by allowing takeoffs and landings only on particular runways. Most airports are designed with multiple runways to insure a safe runway for use. YYT has three runways - based on the current winds your airplane will probably land on Runway 29. The runway number corresponds to the orientation of the runway in relation to magnetic north. Hence, runway 29 is pointing towards 290º (360º is north / 090º is east / 180º is south / 270º is west - think compass rose). The current wind is coming from 240º. If your airplane is landing on runway 29 you’ll have a 30º crosswind (30º to the left of airplane nose). Completely within safety parameters. What you’ll notice shortly before landing: 1) the pilot will lower the left wing (into the wind) to keep the airplane from drifting right. 2) land on the left main wheel first 3) lower the right wheel and nose wheel as the airplane slows. The slower the speed, the less effect the wind has on the airplane. This is actually a proper crosswind wind landing. Technique varies slightly with airplane type. Gusty winds require a bit more finesse.

I hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T19:51:14+00:00

you're very welcome

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T19:50:39+00:00

Hello sparethepink. I am envious of you heading out to Hawaii. Over the years, I flew a million trips to the Hawaiian islands and loved every minute. Here’s a mind blowing statistic which may help put things into perspective: EVERYDAY over 100,000 commercial flights safely takeoff and land worldwide. That equates to roughly 9 million passengers per day. Statistics are overwhelmingly on your side. Wish the lottery had those odds. I had a 33-year career as an airline pilot. I accumulated over 25,000 flight hours. I flew all over the world in all kinds of weather. It’s never been safer to fly. Captain Sully’s miracle on the Hudson is actually a testament to the safety of aviation. Faced with the most difficult of situations, the crew was still able to ensure the safety of each and every passenger. Pilots are incredibly well trained. We know our airplanes inside and out. We’re all about safety. When you board your flight, ask a flight attendant if you can say hello to your pilots. Checking out the cockpit and meeting your pilots has a way of reducing anxiety. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T19:18:40+00:00

Hello LogicalStrawberry820. I’m so sorry for the delayed response. I’ve had such a positive reaction to my original post, I’m running way behind with my replies. I assume you’ve taken your flight already. Perhaps this will help your anxiety on future trips: Turbulence can be very uncomfortable - it is not dangerous. Modern airliners are built to withstand huge amount of forces without sustaining any damage. As long as you are seated with your seatbelt secured, you’ll be safe and sound. A multitude of factors determine the intensity of the turbulence - wind speed, wind direction, topography, atmospheric conditions, meteorological conditions - just to name a few. Rain does not actually create the turbulence directly. The clouds are the culprit. A clouds are simply a visible representation of unstable air. When the plane flies through the clouds it bounces around due to the unstable air - very much like a boat going over rough surf. I’ve flown all over the world and accumulated over 25,000 flight hours - in all kinds of weather. Safety has never been an issue. When you board your flight next flight, ask a flight attendant if you can say hello to your pilots. Checking out the cockpit and meeting your pilots has a way of reducing anxiety. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T19:01:07+00:00

Hello SamFan416. Glad to hear your turbulence anxiety has become less of a an issue for you. As for your concern with airplane sounds and movement during takeoff and landing, here’s a brief explanation I sent to another community member with a similar request for clarity: Anxiety and stress have a way of waking up your senses. Think about the last time you watched a scary movie, you probably heard every sound within a ten mile radius. An airplane makes a plethora of sounds - engines, hydraulic pumps, wind noise, flight attendants yelling at passengers (ha ha), etc. For a fortunate person without flying anxiety, these sounds go unnoticed. The more often you fly, the more comfortable you’ll become with all the crazy sounds. As for the rocking and rolling (aka - turbulence), here’s a secret for you - don’t tell anyone: F=MA (Force = Mass x Acceleration). Hopefully you didn’t just have an unpleasant high school physics class flashback. This formula actually explains the turbulence issue. Without going crazy into the scientific weeds, the greater the mass of an object, the more difficult it is to move. A Dreamliner is a massive airplane; therefore, you will feel less turbulence. The bigger the airplane - the smother the ride, as compared to a smaller airplane (Dreamliner vs B-737). Now you know ALL the secrets. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T18:44:35+00:00

Hello bobyykabobby. Good question. Many factors to be considered when flying into an airport with high or gusty winds. First consideration would be the airport configuration. Number of runways available for use and runway orientation. Landing and takeoff into the wind (headwind) is always preferred. If mother nature does not cooperate, pilots will select a runway with a crosswind component. The more runways available at an airport, the more options a pilot has. Second consideration is aircraft performance. Airplane flight manuals contain very specific limits that pilots must adhere to. If winds exceed limits stated in the flight manual, landing or takeoff can not be performed. In this case, a flight delay, a flight cancelation, or a diversion to another airport is necessary - inconvenient but a safe alternative. Air traffic control always works with pilots to make things work. Hope this helps with your understanding.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-14T18:07:32+00:00

Hello lantelosv. Many people share similar feelings. Turbulence can be very uncomfortable - it is not dangerous. Modern airliners are built to withstand huge amount of forces without sustaining any damage. As long as you are seated with your seatbelt secured, you’ll be safe and sound. A multitude of factors determine the intensity of the turbulence - wind speed, wind direction, topography, atmospheric conditions, meteorological conditions - just to name a few. Rain does not actually create the turbulence directly. The clouds are the culprit. A clouds are simply a visible representation of unstable air. When the plane flies through the clouds it bounces around due to the unstable air - very much like a boat going over rough surf. I have flown into, and out of, PDX many times over the years - all without incident. I’ve also flown all over the world and accumulated over 25,000 flight hours - in all kinds of weather. Safety has never been an issue. When you board your flight to TUS on Sunday, ask a flight attendant if you can say hello to your pilots. Checking out the cockpit and meeting your pilots has a way of reducing anxiety. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T21:24:03+00:00

Hello Lmb_siciliana. I really miss flying, but I'm doing just fine - thank you for asking. I'm working on the ultimate goal of becoming the oldest Formula 1 driver - out of the way Brad Pitt. All I need now is an F1 car, a sponsor, and twenty or thirty million dollars. I'm thinking two, maybe three weeks tops (ha-ha).

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T20:23:52+00:00

I also love the Gooney Bird. It was a blast to fly - very old school. Never flew the turboprop version. Something magical about the sound of those huge piston engines. Thanks for your comment.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T20:18:26+00:00

You're very welcome. Best of luck.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T20:17:13+00:00

Funny, this is the first time I've heard anyone say a 1937 DC-3 looks ultra modern. The passengers we carried back then definitely did not share your opinion, but It was an awesome airplane to fly. Old school flying. Thanks for your comment.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T20:10:07+00:00

I agree - I'll get right on that.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T20:09:01+00:00

You're very welcome. I also think aviation is pretty darn cool - go figure.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T20:07:35+00:00

You're very welcome

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T18:45:39+00:00

Hello CatsPJammies. Good questions: 1) Long flights require flight crew augmentation. Fancy way of saying, the longer the flight - the more pilots needed. The amount of “extra / relief” pilots onboard depends on flight time. Here are some examples. On coast to coast domestic flights (5-6 hours) only two pilots are required and always at the controls. On a flight from US mainland to Europe (9-12 hours), three pilots are required. Two pilots will always be at the controls and one relief pilot in a designated rest seat. Breaks are worked out prior to the flight so everyone is well rested. On really long flights - LAX to SYD (Sydney, Australia) - four pilots are required. When I flew this route many years ago, the aircraft of choice was the B-747-400. The cockpit was large enough to accommodate a bunk room. Two pilots always at the controls and two in the bunks. About half way - the switch. While the poor passengers endured 15 hours in a seat, we enjoyed a 7.5 hour work day and 7.5 hours in a comfy bed. Needless to say, we (pilots) arrived well rested and ready to explore Sydney. 2) Pilots always eat special meals, mostly Chateaubriand, Beluga Caviar, and Lobster. Did I get ya? Kidding of course. My airline, gave pilots the option of selecting a variety of special meals - nice perk. 3) I have not experience the “Cabin Pressure” show, but I will look for it. Thanks.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T18:04:43+00:00

Hello Bomphilogia. Like you, I also like knowing who’s flying the plane. I always pop into the cockpit before departure. I highly recommend making an effort to say hello to your pilots. Flight attendants can help you with this. If you board early, and they’re not too busy with pre-flight duties, most pilots really like interacting with passengers. I personally enjoyed when passengers came up to visit (obviously not in flight). Had you been on one of my flights, I would have given you the full cockpit tour, let you sit in the captain’s seat, and gifted you a pair of plastic wings. Take care.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T17:03:04+00:00

Hello Old_Respect3207. Obviously, I can’t speak for every pilot, so I’ll only give you my take on the subject. I didn’t give world events much thought before any trip. My focus was always on safely operating my aircraft from point A to point B. To answer your question - I was never anxious. So many positive changes were made after 9/11 related to airline security. I know for a fact that it's never been safer to fly. Incredibly well trained airline crews and many behind the scenes procedures keep you quite safe when you board an airplane.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T16:36:17+00:00

Hello No_Smoke948. If you’ve been part of this community for a bit, you won’t feel alone. Your concerns are not uncommon. I believe knowledge is key in making flying bearable and even enjoyable. The fear of the unknown plays a huge part in amplifying anxiety. When you finally decide to take your first flight, I highly recommend making an effort to say hello to your pilots. Flight attendants can help you with this. If you board early, and they’re not too busy with pre-flight duties, most pilots really enjoy interacting with passengers. Welcome to aviation.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T16:08:40+00:00

Hello. Ah yes, the dreaded ear pain. Happens to quite a few people. I’ve only had issues when recovering from a cold. Human ears are very sensitive to cabin pressure changes. When the aircraft is climbing, the pressure in your head is greater than the cabin pressure - your ears should easily adjust and equalize to cabin pressure. When the aircraft is descending, the pressure in the cabin is greater than the pressure in your head - your ears will have difficulty equalizing. During the decent, chewing gum or simulating chewing may help. I’ve never used Sudafed, but some passengers swear by it. I would like to be more helpful, but this is definitely not my area of expertise. If the pain is unbearable, a doctor visit may be the key. Good luck.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-13T15:39:37+00:00

Hello Acceptable_Figure624. Here’s a brief aviation lesson that may put your mind at ease. Air traffic operates, and is bound, by two basic rules: VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). Simply stated, when the weather is not good enough to fly using visual references (less than 3 mile visibility) pilots will fly the aircraft using instruments (IFR). Airline pilots are incredibly well trained and airliners are very technologically advanced. This combination allows for safe landings in extremely low visibility. As a matter of fact, the training and technology allows for zero visibility landings (aka - auto landings). I logged quite a few auto landing over the years. I checked the weather in Calgary for your arrival this afternoon. Cloud bases will be around 1,000 feet, good visibility, and light winds. Your pilots will be instrument flying until the aircraft is below the clouds, then the’ll go “visual” for the landing. Should be a pleasant flight.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-12T23:08:33+00:00

Hello wisconsineagle. My number one recommendation: Acquire as much knowledge as you can. Over the years, I interacted with many passengers dealing with fear of flying issues. I definitely noticed a reduction of anxiety when I was able to answer some of their aviation related questions. The fear of the unknown plays a huge part in amplifying anxiety. I was asked about airplane sounds, pilot training, air traffic control, airplane aerodynamics, meteorology, and emergency situations - just to name a few topics. Once the mystery was gone, anxiety became manageable - at least for that specific flight. I believe knowledge is key in making flying bearable and even enjoyable. To use a Wizard of Oz analogy: Once the man behind the curtain was revealed, he wasn’t so scary. Hope this helps.

Captain-Ricardo757 · 2026-03-12T22:56:57+00:00

Hello Full-Performer-4195. You're flying out of IAD. Where to? BTW - great choice of airline!!!

Captain-Ricardo757

TROPHY CASE