FAM Flight Tips/Tricks

[breakaway2000]

For jet blue it says to check in i believe 12 hours in advance. How and who do i check in with?

Disregard that as well. Get to the airport as you normally would. There's no need to do anything special.

 

[Roger_Roger]

Disregard that as well. Get to the airport as you normally would. There's no need to do anything special.

Thanks

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

Anyone flown American? Just wondering about this whole check in 48+ hours in advance stuff. Sounds like AA is just as bad as a jumpseater as they are at taking the high speed.

I flew American the first year the orogpro came out... Had to go online and list myself (well had my FDT rep do it because I couldn't figure it out)... But that was like five years ago

 

[Roger_Roger]

What do you guys ans gals normally wear on fam trips, suits?

 

[Move78]

What do you guys ans gals normally wear on fam trips, suits?

Shirt and tie. Slacks.

 

[LadyLuck777]

What do you guys ans gals normally wear on fam trips, suits?

I think the dress code is "business" for fam flights. (I guess looking professional gives the pilots the impression that we are professionals.)
I wore a pencil skirt, stockings, heels, and a button-up top. When I fammed (2014), we were only allowed to bring a large purse as our "luggage", so I chose one that looked professional with my outfit. I flew on a B737 and a CRJ. I wasn't comfortable in either aircraft, and I'm 5'4" haha.
Just my experience, hope this helps! 🙂

 

[rugbydog11]

What do you guys ans gals normally wear on fam trips, suits?

Suit, or dress slacks and a shirt/tie and blazer. Makeup to cover my tear drop tattoos.

 

[Snow]

Has anyone FAM'd in conjuction with doing a facility visit? If anyone has any info offhand I'd appreciate.

 

[MJ]

Has anyone FAM'd in conjuction with doing a facility visit? If anyone has any info offhand I'd appreciate.

Yeah

 

[Stinger]

What do you guys ans gals normally wear on fam trips, suits?

I did khaki pants and a polo shirt.

 

[Jason Scavilla]

I have done I think 5 or 6 of them from 4-6 years ago all with facility visits. Dressed business (had a tie on but no jacket) like and brought my normal carry on and it was placed either in the cockpit or first class. I shaved my beard and such, checked in right away and was one of first to board. The system was new so there was a lot of unknowns, I missed one of my flights b/c the gate checkin lady had no clue about what to do. Even the manager was new about it. They did their best but I still missed my flight, but yes remind them to look under ATC and once your in CASS it’s easy.

As for the flights I have gone from an extremely quiet/professional flight (they thought I was an FAA Inspector even though I told them multiple times I wasn’t) to having just a blast and shooting the shit all the way til touchdown. By now though I think it is probably known about the jump seating and flight deck training so the (extremely quiet flights) shouldn’t happen. I have enjoyed every single one of my flights, the jump seats are mostly cramped space (yes there are a few good one) but my flights were all on MD-88 or E-190, etc.

My first ever flight deck training was ACK-JFK, JFK-PBI. What the pilots didn’t tell me was when we touch down the “forces” of them hitting the breaks and what happens to you in the jump seat, lol. We landed and they hit the brakes and my hands and feet went flying and I swear I almost hit the throttles forward, lol. I thought I was gonna fly out of my seat, I learned really quickly after that where to put my feet on landing. Almost all the pilots were awesome, it’s quite interesting to hear all of their stories. I learned about the A/C system and saw how the captain was showing/teaching the F.O. about to actually heat the plane rather than just shut the air off if the flight attendant says it’s to cold, which helps ice from building up in the system. How some F.O.’s don’t want to move over to left seat b/c they are so high in seniority and they like the schedule and their base. Got to actually see a closure rate of 900mph and HOLY FUCKING SHIT THAT’S FAST, lol. Got to see an A/C pass 1,000 feet below us and I swear it looked like 20 feet below us.

Basically I would definitely recommend doing FDT and enjoy every second of it. The flights attendants were all awesome and happy to talk and ask questions. I had a bunch of ATC questions from the pilots, some I could answer others I just didn’t know and told them that (sorry not a center controller so I don’t know, they understood). Have fun doing it.

 

[Snow]

Yeah

Anywhere specific in the order? My manager does not see any extra day for training (facility meet) or anything like that authorized. Or did you just do it during your time off?

 

[MJ]

Went/returned same day. Visiting other facilities for familiarization is in the contract.

 

[ATC Dinosaur]

Haven't FAM'd since before 9/11 (When they even kicked US out of the cockpits). Sure was a sweet gig back then. We got 8 FAMs per year(that's 16 extra days of paid leave annually) and you could use them in front of and after A/L so it was basically a free flight to anywhere for vacation. No restrictions on destinations either. Did have to wear a jacket and tie, so for me I'd only go if it saved me over about $250 for a ticket because a tie wasn't worth it. I had many good flights and a few near bump adventures due to mechanicals or weather. As far as facial hair, I knew a guy that tried to get on American with a mustache and the Captain told him he'd have to shave or not go. He went and shaved and when he came back, they laughed and told him they were just kidding. For the rest of his career, he'd ALWAYS make American go behind or get moved in any traffic situation. I even saw him give 30 degree turns for "traffic" just to mess with them.

 

[Stinger]

For the rest of his career, he'd ALWAYS make American go behind or get moved in any traffic situation. I even saw him give 30 degree turns for "traffic" just to mess with them.

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that guy is no longer a controller.
Seriously, that kind of behavior is the last thing that's needed.

 

[rugbydog11]

You can always try an RDO swap to work a 6 day before or after your FDT and have a 3 day weekend during the FDT.

 

[ATC Dinosaur]

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that guy is no longer a controller.
Seriously, that kind of behavior is the last thing that's needed.

I was shocked when I I saw it and kind of embarrassed for him. I was just a d-side so couldn't say anything. He is long gone.

 

[Jason Scavilla]

I just scheduled the visits during the trip, between my FAM flights. To me it is an incredible program and I am not about to go ruffling feathers and pissing anyone off about requesting OT if I have delays or a long flight or anything. I am just happy to get a "free flight" where I can travel on my weekend, go checkout a few facilities or family or whatever AND learn a whole hell of a lot of info from the cockpit because I really truly did learn a lot. Just my 2 cents that's all.

 

[vectorwagon]

Same. People who request OT or try to make a big deal are total DB’s

 

[Strongwater]

Has anyone FAM'd in conjuction with doing a facility visit? If anyone has any info offhand I'd appreciate.

Yeah just call the facilities you want to visit ahead of time that way they are not blindsided. I did a fam flight with my 2 rdos and I was able to visit 3 facilities in that time.