Airline pilot reveals what they really do between takeoff and landing on long-haul flights
If you've ever wondered what it is that pilots get up to in the cockpit for 18 hours on long-haul flights, you're about to get your answer.
An American pilot has taken to TikTok to clear up misconceptions that all pilots really do is take off and land the plane.
Gary Baumgardner, who goes by @garybpilot on the social media app, shared a video in response to a user who asked: "What the hell do pilots do for an 18 hour flight?"
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Pilot reveals what they do tiktok TikTok
"Everybody thinks we're like Homer Simpson up there and there's just like a big button we push," Baumgartner said. "One button called the autopilot, and we do nothing."
But he explained that autopilot is more like a tool to help make their jobs easier, not replace them entirely.
"The autopilot is a tool the way a bat is a tool for a Major League Baseball player when he wants to go hit a home run," he said.
For example, if the plane flies into a storm, it's up to the pilots to safely navigate the way out. Similarly, if air traffic control contacts them to turn or to change their cruising altitude, the autopilot won't do that.
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Pilots have to undertake regular checks and create logs mid-flight. Getty
Baumgartner also added that they have to continually create logs, stay in contact with air traffic control, and do regular system checks which keep them busy.
The pilot also revealed the answer to one question many people ask: Yes, pilots can take a nap mid-flight!
"I know for a fact that if you have a flight that is 18 hours long, you have four pilots and we actually have our own beds and bunk beds up there and we sleep and we eat," he said.
Most planes used for long-haul flights have crew bunks hidden near the cockpit. Getty
One interesting detail Baumgartner added is that if they're on a plane that doesn't have bunk beds for the crew, there will be a reserved first-class seat that they can sleep in.
One TikTok commenter saw the humour in this, writing below the video: "Imagine just chilling on first class and you see your pilot chilling next to you."
Since the video was posted, it's racked up nearly six million views, leaving viewers fascinated by the behind-the-scenes info.
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One former flight attendant commented: "I'm glad you've explained this because people used to get mad seeing that pilots are asleep."
Baumgartner says that flights over 12 hours typically have four pilots on board. Getty
Recently, an etiquette expert revealed the one thing people do on planes that actually has the potential to offend your pilot.
As it turns out, clapping on a plane is actually one of the biggest travel 'icks'.
"Applause is not necessary after a landing and is rude to the pilots," she said.
"If the landing is good, clapping suggests surprise at such skill; if the landing is bad, applause would be insultingly sarcastic."
