My Flying News

(based)

A pilot’s or flight attendant’s base is where they start and end trips. They may not live in their base, but it is where they report to work. If they don’t live in the base, then they will need to commute (defined below) to their base.

Blue juice is the liquid the toilet is filled with. It is typically a blue chemical tablet that is tossed into the water. A passenger that uses the lavatory while it is turbulent with the seat belt sign on. is called a “blue butt.” I have heard stories of people covered in blue juice but I have never seen it in my career.

A house, apartment, trailer, etc., where commuting flight crewmembers sleep while in base waiting for their assignments. Crash pads can be nice or cheap and cramped with multiple crew members sharing a room.

(commuting, commuter, commuted)

If a pilot lives far from their base, they must commute. They are responsible for their own costs while commuting. Most will use their benefits and will travel for free to get to work. Also, many union contracts contain a commuter clause. Pilots are not punished if they are late to work due to commuting issues, although they are not pay-protected.

(deadheader, deadheading, deadheaded)

When a crew member is being repositioned by their airline from one location to another. Crew members deadhead regularly.

The airplane’s autopilot. Pilot’s sometimes say “George is flying” while after turning on the autopilot.

There is also go home day. Self explanatory, the last day or the last flight before a crew gets to go home. Pilots have been known to fly these last flights a little faster than usual.

(jump seater, jump seating, jump seated)

The little seats that fold out the wall or bulkhead that flight attendants sit in are called jump seats. There are extra jump seats in the cabin and on the flight deck that commuting or non-revving crewmembers are allowed to occupy.

A pilot in distress can contact air traffic control and say MAYDAY, preferably 3 times, to let everyone know they are in distress. Distress communications take priority. MAYDAY is an international term and means the same thing globally. To read more visit the AIM.

Short from minimum rest. This varies by country, type if flying, and type of crewmember. The law requires a minimum of 10 hour of rest for pilots between assignments and generally a minimum of 8 hours behind the hotel door provided.

(Non-Revving, Non-Revved, Non-Revver)

Crewmember or airline employee flying (or trying) to fly for free. Follow this link for a blog post related to flying for free.

(overnighting, overnighted)

An overnight city where pilots and flight attendants sleep. Hotel rooms are provided by the airline. Sometimes called layover or rest overnight (RON).

Crewmembers with a ticket or guaranteed seat on a flight vs. a standby or space available seat. Deadheading crew members are positive space and sometimes listed as “must ride.”

This is a play on words. I have heard this from a couple of flight attendants. Instead of a “pre-boarder,” they will say “pee-boarder.” Please don’t walk onto a plane and immediately go to the lavatory. Boarding is the busiest time for flight attendants, and peeing and blocking the aisle can delay a flight. For the Love of God! Pee in the Terminal or FBO. You are sitting there for an hour before the flight!

Reserve means pilots and flight attendants that are on standby. They wait at home or in the city that they are based in. If their airline needs them, they will call them into work. They will have a designated amount of time, such as 2 hours, to report to the airport.

Some airlines also have airport standby, sometimes called hot or ready reserve. A crew member assigned airport standby will have to sit in the airport in uniform and be prepared to fly if they are needed.

Reserve, especially airport standby, is not popular with most crewmembers.

(scheduler, crew scheduling, crew scheduler)

A pilot’s arch nemesis. The person or department that calls pilots into work or reassigns them. They rarely call with good news!

That was written in jest. They are a crucial point of contact and an essential resource for airlines. In addition to assigning and reassigning pilots and flight attendants, they also handle sick calls, vacations, and answer legality questions.

(slam click, slam clicked, slam clicking)

An anti-social pilot. The term refers to their hotel room door’s sound: a door slam followed by a lock click.

A passenger that cannot find their seat. They stand in the aircraft isle and hopelessly spin around in circles.

A pilot’s trip or assignment. Trips can be 1 to 6 days long. A 1 day trip can be reffered to as a turn.

A pilot will “walkaround” the aircraft to check its condition prior to departure.