Hi!
I fly up to 18,000’ and down from about 10,000’ unless the weather is bad, in which case I use the autopilot more. If the weather is really bad, we have to use the autopilot to touchdown.
Like most workspaces, it has its moments, but there are plenty of things to keep us occupied. Systems, radio calls, programming, route changes, decisions on weather deviations, altitudes, speeds, what to eat, how to prepare yourself to sleep in the bunk, and the ever popular just chatting!
As I type, I’m lying flat on my back in my undies, in the bunk, having just woken up before the end of my break! I’ll be getting a call in about 10 mins to get up and report back to the flight deck so the FO can take his break.
I’ve already arranged for the galley staff to prepare my lunch (salmon salad, roll and butter, cut fruit bowl of watermelon, honeydew, orange slice, pineapple and blueberries) for when I get up.
When I get onto the Flight Deck, I’ll get debriefed and then I’ll eat while the other pilot does the radios and any route changes. Once lunch is over, I’ll take over the flying duties and about 2 hrs later I’ll be landing in Chicago (United flight 906, for those who follow such things!). And, you may notice we are over 30 mins early, thank you very much!
;-)
So, plenty to do. Rarely bored, unless the other pilots are boring, but most aren’t! We have been talking about this LATAM 787 seat issue. Not convinced it’s an inadvertent switch push!!! I’ll reserve comment until we hear more.
And, we have been talking about experiences in the industry over the last 30 years, because we are a white guy, a black guy and a gay guy and have lots of stories to tell!
See…not boring at all! :-)