As an old time flyer, I remember that all the pilots used to smoke. Do they still smoke in the cockpit, or is that also forbidden?

Smoking is prohibited on all US airlines and on foreign carriers if they fly into the US.....

I am certain the same is true of the cockpit, but OTOH: How would you know if they were smoking!!??

Best wishes, Dave

dave..don't you remember in the old days they'd leave the cockpit doors open?
bajaflash..i can't imagine the pilots being exempt from the non-smoking rules.

caribtraveler - The "old" days (pre 9/11) in Europe weren't that long ago.!!! They'd often leave the cockpit door open on takeoff and landing, and if you were lucky enough to be up front, the view was very very good!!

Best wishes, Dave

I occassionally fly a six seater charter aircraft to other islands near my home. I have to laugh every time the infamous "Le Pipe," the French pilot, lights up his pipe before take-off.

He has even flown the Queen of Holland with his ever present pipe in his mouth. I don't think he can fly without smoking. There probably aren't many other pilots in the same situation....ha.

dave..i know the old days weren't that long ago..it was meant as a joke.

carib - Understood !! Perhaps I'm just feeling my "age" these days!! Hope you have good travels!

Best wishes, Dave

How's those lines go?

They don't smoke, the cigarette is what smokes. They're just the suckers...

If they want to smoke, they have to step just outside the door.

After all the airlines went to non-smoking, the pilots were exempt from this and could smoke in the cockpit. This was several years ago so I'd imagine this has changed and there is no smoking even in the cockpit (not sure?) The reasoning was the "stress factor"...no one wanted a stressed pilot having a nicotine fit,
"daughter of airline captain"