It’s rare that pilots make an impression on passengers, since they don’t interact much with those on the other side of the cockpit door. Heck, the absence of anything eventful or memorable usually means pilots did a good job. However, yesterday I had an American Airlines captain who was memorable on a couple of levels…
Continue reading: I Flew With An American Airlines Husband & Wife Pilot Duo!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
One can only hope they don't get into a domestic dispute while at 38,000 feet...
I loved the friction of the husband and wife pilot couple Simon and Jackie on "Come Fly with Me."
After finding out that Simon had an affair with one of the stewardesses, Jackie, a dental hygenist, spent five years retraining as a pilot so that she could accompany Simon at work on all of his flights. The paranoia, hostility, and passive aggressiveness between the duo makes for good tv.
I don't know where this sort of thing came from. Having one family member be subordinate in the chain of command to another historically was one of those "never" things.
I think this is a perfect example of the collapse of respect of the institution of marriage. Once people respected that the marital relationship trumped everything and that the idea that a married couple could leave their marital relationship at the door, changing it from one of negotiation to one of command, would have been inconceivable.
I think I flew with them a few weeks ago (unless AA has multiple husband/wife duos flying A321 jets lol)! Super cool!
Why do people question their relationship dynamics.
It's called being professionals.
They can separate work and private life, good for them.
@captscott737 on Instagram (Scott Shankland, his full name is in his profile) flies with his wife @pilotjenn737.
@flyingfahans were married pilots on Delta - they flew the A330 but retired during COVID and I believe she is now with Breeze.
No rocket science to assume that those who say so can't be professionals, yet they act like they are.
I once sat with a older guy whose son was in the left chair. I said you must be very proud. He replied that I'd never seen his son drive.
About pilots greeting passengers:
On Aug 5 is was in first from BOS to EWR. We were delayed because crew time out. Pilot came out and thanked us for flying UA versus a lesser airline, he was very confident flying this plane and not be concerned about flying on Boeing jet as he wasn’t. It sounds cocky as I write this, but he wasn’t cocky at all, very experienced.
She might even be a childless cat lady...
More power to them. Sounds like a great relationship.
There have been many examples of unrelated pilots and co-pilots getting into disputes too.
Wait - I thought there was a fairly established view that having the people in the cockpit NOT know eachother helped ensure that there was the appropriate dynamic when it came to challenging eachother.
Is that no longer the case? I would trade in the 'cuteness' of a related couple for a pair of pilots who are less likely to skip formalities in a heartbeat.
Wow, this made me smile, and laugh and feel proud all at the same moment. Sorry we missed you off the flight the other day but feel free to reach out and Alan and I will be happy answer any questions! Getting home is sometimes a rush. We always fly together, yes he selflessly sacrifices pay so that we can fly together, it's the best job we've never had. It's like vacation on what can be a lonely job. We never fight but if we disagree it's always treated as any pilot/copilot interaction, with respect.
Thank you for the kind words and please come fly with us again. We love our job and this made my day. Capt Gregory
I have worked with both of these pilots before they were married (at their former employer) and I can attest that they are both amazing! I can only imagine what a dynamic duo they are working together!
Very well deserved Kale! You and Alan are amazing pilots and amazing friends ❤️
Flew with my son as my copilot (and wife and daughter in the cabin) on my retirement flight. One of the most memorable things I've ever done in my life.
You needn't worry about the dynamics of the cockpit, which by the way, is now referred to as a flight deck.
Your article is so nice until you start 'wondering' about what isn't your business, quite frankly.
I know both of these pilots personally. They ARE both stand-up, class acts.
And to sully a great piece of positivity with your musings about whether it is a good idea for a couple to fly... Well, I was curious as to why you would be writing a positive piece on AA, anyway. The end of your piece answered that question.
It works for them. If you cannot have a healthy relationship with your spouse, don't project that sad state on them.
They are amazing people. Amazing pilots.
Leave it at that.
I have flown with both of them at a different airline and I will say they are both class acts and are very professional and excellent pilots.
First, I would say they probably internally keep their personal life outside of the workplace for the safety of themselves and the passengers. Interesting in the comments the different duo situations people have experienced. Second, captian to greet passengers and that's a positive point. No, it should be done - service.
Most crew members work at airlines to get away from their families. This story gives me anxiety
I would argue that there's a slight enhancement to safety when two people who know one another work as co-pilots.
Communication skills in a couple can be excellent or they can be terrible - I'm sure we've all seen both. But what a couple in a work relationship has over two individuals is the knowledge of one each other's strengths and weaknesses.
No. I always drive my queen Captain home right after I hold the door open and load her luggage into the car.