Curiosity Is Better Kept to Yourself
Seeing a pilot before a flight naturally makes one curious about what’s going on behind the cockpit door. Most pilots are perfectly happy to answer reasonable questions, but a few comments can come across as distracting or unintentionally insulting. If you get the chance to chat with whoever’s flying your plane, these are five questions you’re better off keeping to yourself.
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1. “Are You Sure This Plane Is Safe?”
If the aircraft weren’t considered safe to operate, the crew wouldn’t be flying it. Asking this directly can sound less like genuine curiosity and more like you expect the pilot to reveal a terrifying secret. They’re not going to, and you’re in good hands.
2. “What Happens If Both Engines Fail?”
It’s understandable to mentally prepare for emergencies, but asking about one of the worst possible scenarios isn’t exactly relaxing. Pilots spend all kinds of time and training on abnormal situations, so you’re more than fine. Save the hypotheticals for when you’re back on the ground.
3. “How Many Times Have You Almost Crashed?”
This question assumes that every experienced pilot has a collection of near-death stories waiting to be shared. In reality, safety depends on avoiding the rough stuff. Asking about unusual flights or difficult landings is a much more respectful way to hear an interesting story.
4. “Can You Fly Faster?”
The cockpit doesn’t have a magical button that turns your flight into an express service. Speed, routing, weather, air traffic control, and fuel use all affect when an aircraft can arrive. Your tight connection may be stressful, but the pilot can’t race the plane to the gate. Even if they could, they wouldn’t.
5. “Do You Actually Know What Those Buttons Do?”
It doesn’t matter if you’re joking—this one sounds more insulting than playful. Pilots undergo years of training and evaluations to understand an aircraft. Admiring how complicated the cockpit looks is fair, but questioning whether they understand it won’t earn you the laugh you hoped for.
