When we meet someone new it’s good to ask questions – it show’s we’re interested and that we care. Sometimes, however, those on the receiving end of our grilling can easily become fed up of small talk.
That’s the case for pilot Paul Holte, who has revealed a list of questions he claims airline staff are fed up of you asking. He took to Instagram to provide an insight into the industry, imitating a conversation he has clearly endured regularly.
“So are you the real pilot or the other guy?” was the first question on his list, to which he responded: “I’m the captain. But first officers are pilots too. As a matter of fact, some first officers have more experience than I do.”
Paul also mocked those who ask if he knows their other pilot friends by name, explaining that his company alone – United Airlines – boasts an incredible 17,000 pilots. Questioning what route a pilot flies is also a pointless exercise, he argues, as he flies both domestically and overseas to a variety of locations including all over Europe, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.
And for those who are well-travelled, don’t bother making the joke that you have “probably travelled more” than he has. For Paul added: “I flew about 400,000 miles last year.” When it comes to delays, an irritating 30-minute wait is nothing for him as he pointed out that staff must legally have ample rest before boarding.
“The autopilot pretty much flies the plane these days, doesn’t it?” Paul jokingly asked in his clip, to which he issued the response: “I like to hand fly a lot, but even when the autopilot is on, we still have to manage it. Kind of like cruise control in a car.”
When it comes to “seeing UFOs” at such high altitudes, meanwhile, Paul revealed: “Well I’ve seen the Starlink many times – that kind of looks like a UFO.” And don’t try and get yourself a free upgrade to first class as that’s not something that can simply be put into action.”
Responding to Paul’s clip, another pilot quipped: “‘What route do you fly’ is probably the most annoying thing being asked!” A second revealed he was once asked: “My neighbour’s brother’s son’s best friend wants to be a pilot, you think you could talk to him sometime?”
A third pilot added: “Every single one of these questions I’ve been asked time and time again, I love your responses Paul. That guy is on just about every flight I operate.”
Meanwhile, speaking from another role in the industry, a fourth Instagram user added: “Dispatcher here. I can relate from the other side of things. ‘So you work in the control tower?'” And another pilot added an hilarious anecdote: “I got asked once if I was ‘an actual pilot or had I just come to the airport in fancy dress to meet someone’.”