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Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

bloomberg.com

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Re: Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

#3
> [T]hey got help from an unexpected source: an off-duty pilot who happened to be riding in the cockpit. That extra pilot, who was seated in the cockpit jumpseat [...]

Am I missing something here? Isn't it normal for off-duty pilots to ride in the jump-seat?

Re: Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

#5

> [T]hey got help from an unexpected source: an off-duty pilot who happened to be riding in the cockpit. That extra pilot, who was seated in the cockpit jumpseat [...] Am I missing something here? Isn't it normal for off-duty pilots to ride in the jump-seat?

Yes. If the seat is unoccupied, airlines will usually let off duty pilots use it to get between different airports. If I'm remembering correctly, it's done for pilots from other airlines as well.

Re: Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

#6

> [T]hey got help from an unexpected source: an off-duty pilot who happened to be riding in the cockpit. That extra pilot, who was seated in the cockpit jumpseat [...] Am I missing something here? Isn't it normal for off-duty pilots to ride in the jump-seat?

Sure. I don't think they're implying otherwise. The lucky coincidence is that he happened to be aware of the issue and the fix.

Re: Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

#7

> [T]hey got help from an unexpected source: an off-duty pilot who happened to be riding in the cockpit. That extra pilot, who was seated in the cockpit jumpseat [...] Am I missing something here? Isn't it normal for off-duty pilots to ride in the jump-seat?

Well, you're missing the point of the story which has nothing to do with the frequency of off-duty pilots hitching a ride.

Re: Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

#8

> [T]hey got help from an unexpected source: an off-duty pilot who happened to be riding in the cockpit. That extra pilot, who was seated in the cockpit jumpseat [...] Am I missing something here? Isn't it normal for off-duty pilots to ride in the jump-seat?

Riding dead head as a pilot is normal. They do it all the time to get back home or wherever their next flight is from.

Being in the right place, and happening to know exactly how to deal with what would otherwise kill the pilot and all the passengers, is incredibly fortunate.

Re: Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 on the Day Before Deadly Crash

#9

Suprised they don't have a lessons learned portal. Would have saved some lives.

Can you imagine if the public saw how often planes were close to disaster?

Don't confuse apathy with unavailability. The public (and it sounds like you as well) just doesn't look. Here's NASA's safety database: https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/
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