Pilot/Passenger Relationship

JDE · June 24th, 2006, 16:59

What is everyone's opinion on the pilot/passenger relationship as far as how close the pilots should be or are to the passengers?

In my particular case, we know the passengers on a first name basis, they talk and joke around with us and will sometimes take us to dinner, but outside of the job, we don't interact. On the other hand, I know a crew who flies around a rich guy and his friends and they are quite close to all of them. They stay in the boss' house on trips to the islands and up in Wyoming. I also had a good friend who (back in the '70's) partied all the time with his boss.

My personal feeling is if both parties comfortable with it, then don't worry too much about it, but some people I know don't agree. They think there needs to be separation...ie pilots not staying at the boss' house. I know this will obviously be different for everyone...especially charter and fractional guys since I'm guessing you don't regularly fly the same people.

So, lets discuss...

desertdog71 · June 24th, 2006, 17:52

I would say, that whatever your company policy is, that is what you need to do.

If no policy is in place, I would say keep the relationship strictly a work relationship and no more.

flyover · June 24th, 2006, 19:27

My personal experience has been that when the relationship is not a professional one then things get unprofessional. I had a boss that liked to treat me like a buddy, then later thought that was a ticket to push when I made no-go or fuel stop decisions. He cooled the "buddy" stuff the first time I had to "splain" who the captain was.

stuckingfk · June 24th, 2006, 21:12

I'm one of those guys that stays in the boss's house. Why not stay at his vacation house when there's room. A very nice house beats the hell out of a hotel.

This also means we interact with them on a regular basis outside of the aircraft. I for one thing couldn't be happier with it. We don't have a spending budget when it comes for food and if we want steak, we aren't going to Sizzlers.

One thing I like, they have a couple times, once the door is closed, you two are the boss.

JDE · June 24th, 2006, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuckingfk

I'm one of those guys that stays in the boss's house. Why not stay at his vacation house when there's room. A very nice house beats the hell out of a hotel.

I agree.

The crew that I'm talking about does quite a bit with the pax outside of the job and they are two of the most professional pilots I know. I was told once, that no matter how much they (pax) seem like you're friends, they're not. I do think for the most part that is true, but I also think there are exceptions...and I don't see anything wrong with it.

RynoB · June 26th, 2006, 02:41

I've known some people who have been hired because the boss was a family friend. I don't have a problem with the pilots and boss/pax being friends as long as the boss/pax understand the concept of PIC.

C650CPT · June 28th, 2006, 11:41

My motto is Friendly but not Familiar. While I am fortunate to be in with a great company who invites us along on the "fun" stuff I choose those invitations wisely. I have plenty of friends but I only have one job so I try to maintain a professional stance as much as possible. I can tell you of a recent event where a pilot I know thought he was best buddies with the CEO and everyone yet when he was let go he found out that the friendships ended where Business began. Business first people.

Jim

RynoB · June 28th, 2006, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by C650CPT

My motto is Friendly but not Familiar. While I am fortunate to be in with a great company who invites us along on the "fun" stuff I choose those invitations wisely. I have plenty of friends but I only have one job so I try to maintain a professional stance as much as possible. I can tell you of a recent event where a pilot I know thought he was best buddies with the CEO and everyone yet when he was let go he found out that the friendships ended where Business began. Business first people.

Jim

Good point. You could say that for any job.

June 24th, 2006, 16:59	#1
JDE Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,614	Pilot/Passenger Relationship What is everyone's opinion on the pilot/passenger relationship as far as how close the pilots should be or are to the passengers? In my particular case, we know the passengers on a first name basis, they talk and joke around with us and will sometimes take us to dinner, but outside of the job, we don't interact. On the other hand, I know a crew who flies around a rich guy and his friends and they are quite close to all of them. They stay in the boss' house on trips to the islands and up in Wyoming. I also had a good friend who (back in the '70's) partied all the time with his boss. My personal feeling is if both parties comfortable with it, then don't worry too much about it, but some people I know don't agree. They think there needs to be separation...ie pilots not staying at the boss' house. I know this will obviously be different for everyone...especially charter and fractional guys since I'm guessing you don't regularly fly the same people. So, lets discuss... __________________ Jason

June 24th, 2006, 17:52	#2
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,008	Re: Pilot/Passenger Relationship I would say, that whatever your company policy is, that is what you need to do. If no policy is in place, I would say keep the relationship strictly a work relationship and no more. __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

June 24th, 2006, 19:27	#3
flyover Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,389	Re: Pilot/Passenger Relationship My personal experience has been that when the relationship is not a professional one then things get unprofessional. I had a boss that liked to treat me like a buddy, then later thought that was a ticket to push when I made no-go or fuel stop decisions. He cooled the "buddy" stuff the first time I had to "splain" who the captain was. __________________ Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right. — Henry Ford

June 24th, 2006, 21:12	#4
stuckingfk Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: El Forko Grande Posts: 2,635	Re: Pilot/Passenger Relationship I'm one of those guys that stays in the boss's house. Why not stay at his vacation house when there's room. A very nice house beats the hell out of a hotel. This also means we interact with them on a regular basis outside of the aircraft. I for one thing couldn't be happier with it. We don't have a spending budget when it comes for food and if we want steak, we aren't going to Sizzlers. One thing I like, they have a couple times, once the door is closed, you two are the boss.

June 26th, 2006, 02:41	#6
RynoB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 654	Re: Pilot/Passenger Relationship I've known some people who have been hired because the boss was a family friend. I don't have a problem with the pilots and boss/pax being friends as long as the boss/pax understand the concept of PIC. __________________ Ryan ATP (CE525, CE510, BE-300), SIC BE-400, CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI States I've landed in:

June 28th, 2006, 11:41	#7
C650CPT Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Home Sweet Home! Posts: 957	Re: Pilot/Passenger Relationship My motto is Friendly but not Familiar. While I am fortunate to be in with a great company who invites us along on the "fun" stuff I choose those invitations wisely. I have plenty of friends but I only have one job so I try to maintain a professional stance as much as possible. I can tell you of a recent event where a pilot I know thought he was best buddies with the CEO and everyone yet when he was let go he found out that the friendships ended where Business began. Business first people. Jim __________________ Fly Safe, But Don't be a Pussy!

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