Back in the day of the Convair 580 turbo prop I flew with the same crew for a whole month- perhaps even more. Often the flight crews became like a family back then.
I would say the cockpit crew of two often came up with crazy situations to play tricks on the Stewardess. Of course it depended on the personality mix of the crew. If you had two pilots with crazy senses of humor- well, anything could happen!
We would be flying through the midwest with up to 12 stops in a single day. I don't know if the pilots just got board or if there was devilishness at play- but they never lacked for inventive ways to amuse themselves!
One such incident happened that caused me to question my sanity! After takeoff I received a call from the cockpit to come forward. Once in the cockpit the Captain asked me to tell the First Officer to get out of the bathroom! WHAT?! The First Officer's seat was indeed empty. But I knew there was no one in the bathroom! I told the Captain this- but he insisted I go back and check anyway. I complied.
Nope. No one there! No First Officer in the cabin either! Had we accidently left the station without him? Reporting this back to the cockpit I then remembered seeing the First Officer- or at least the back of his head after I had closed the aircraft door for takeoff.
Now I'm questioning my sanity! The Captain said not to worry. He could fly the thing just fine without a second person in the cockpit. After I had served the passengers, I received another call to the cockpit. As I entered I saw something that made my hair stand on end! There sat the First Officer in his usual seat- but no Captain!!
I'm sure I stood there with a bewildered look on my face and my mouth hanging open! What was happening!? The First Officer asked me to tell the Captain to get out of the bathroom- we were getting ready to land!
I know I said- probably in a loud voice "What Is Going On?!" The First Officer looked at me with this innocent look on his face and said- "What are you talking about? We'll be landing soon. Better make your landing announcement!"
I'm now questioning my sanity! Landing announcement made- now sitting on my jump seat I sat in mumbling confusion.
So- now we've landed. Announcement made. We've taxied to the gate. I open up the cockpit door, and there sat the two pilots! I Screamed!
I mumbled goodbyes to the passengers as they deplaned- sort of in a confused haze. Once the passengers were gone I turned back to the cockpit where the pilots were laughing and giving each other hi-fives!
It seems that the pilots had chosen me for the blunt of their "disappearing" joke!
The Convair had a baggage compartment right across from the entry stairway. Located just behind the First Officer's seat. What I didn't know at the time was that it was easily accessable from the entryway- which is where each pilot hid while I frantically searched for them!
I poked each of them- HARD! Dog gone it, they got me!! I guess what made it even better for them was the horrified and confused look on my face while this was going on! I learned to be wary of those guys after that! Lesson learned!
There were other crazy incidents. I was called to the cockpit once where both pilots had put on these big- ugly gorilla masks. I told them they looked better that way! Ha!
One of my favorite Captains was always coming up with crazy limericks to entertain. And there was a never ending supply of jokes!
There were many many more such craziness- but - as always- your first seems never to be forgotten! That was my induction into the crazy world of Cockpit humor!
Until next time, Dear Readers!
Remember! Life Is Indeed An Adventure, And Pilot Humor Always Made For An Interesting Trip!!
During my first month of flying they pulled that prank on me also. I brazenly withheld their coffee for the next hour or so. I then worried about being fired for the next month because of my actions. Apparently they didn’t report me because I Flew for 39 years ☺️
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