How do pilots get refreshments?

[eezeejet]

Hi

I was wondering, how do pilots get refreshments such as coffee on board? Do they get them at the origin airport before take-off? Do they ask cabin crew for it? If so, are the cabin crew allowed to enter the cockpit to bring it to them, or do the pilots go to the galley?

Thanks.

[Kapitan]

They ring the "ding-dong" and ask for a coffee, a coke...a snack, whatever.
And when they dont ding-dong the cute stewardess would often open the door and offer, "Would you like something? anything?"
If its a meal then the tray comes with all-in

[mgh]

It used to be the practice (maybe it still is) for the pilots to be served with different meals to avoid both getting food poisoning.

[Big777jet]

A few years ago, Northwest pilot (Captain) was very hungry and told co pilot be right back in shortly. Captain did not like any restaurants in Las Vegas airport. He took a cab to somewhere what he likes to eat. He ordered the carry out and got in plane one hour late for departure. When the plane arrived in Minneapolis and the management of pilot chief stopped by captain and talk for a brief. You're FIRED! It's a true story! LOL! What a dumb captain did this!

Stuart

[tommchowat]

Pilots are meant to eat no later than 90 minutes before a flight, as this is when signs of food poisoning usually kick in.

With regards to stuardesses entering the cockpit, my meteorology instructor who has around 6500 hours on A320/330/340 said that in his company (Kingfisher at this point I think), if a stewardess knocks and says "It's Katherine" (first name only) then the pilots would let her in. But if she knocks and says "It's Katherine Willis" (first name and last name) it is a sign that something has gone wrong and a hijacker has asked her to gain entry to the cockpit, in which case the door would remain locked.

[ReggieF5421]

I've seen a Southwest Airlines pilot get off the plane at KSTL - go over to the California Pizza Kitchen concession and pick up five pre-ordered hot pizza's, take them back to the plane for the cockpit and cabin crew. On more than one occasion. Seems the crews transiting through KSTL like that particular dinner option.

[Dougal]

Wow!

I had now idea the cabin door would even be opened AT ALL these during a flight.

[mgh]

Pilots are meant to eat no later than 90 minutes before a flight, as this is when signs of food poisoning usually kick in.

With regards to stuardesses entering the cockpit, my meteorology instructor who has around 6500 hours on A320/330/340 said that in his company (Kingfisher at this point I think), if a stewardess knocks and says "It's Katherine" (first name only) then the pilots would let her in. But if she knocks and says "It's Katherine Willis" (first name and last name) it is a sign that something has gone wrong and a hijacker has asked her to gain entry to the cockpit, in which case the door would remain locked.

Pilots on long-haul flights need to eat.

If your instructor told you that then he's a fool for releasing security information of value to hijackers.

[Kapitan]

Pilots are meant to eat no later than 90 minutes before a flight, as this is when signs of food poisoning usually kick in.

With regards to stuardesses entering the cockpit, my meteorology instructor who has around 6500 hours on A320/330/340 said that in his company (Kingfisher at this point I think), if a stewardess knocks and says "It's Katherine" (first name only) then the pilots would let her in. But if she knocks and says "It's Katherine Willis" (first name and last name) it is a sign that something has gone wrong and a hijacker has asked her to gain entry to the cockpit, in which case the door would remain locked.

Interesting. Im unaware of the rules nowadays, which understandable exist for security reasons.
When I was a teen I would ask to go the cockpit and the stewardess would just look to the front and say..."Ok, ...as soon as the other kid comes back you can go"
Ad that was it. Just go, open the door.

[Wyvern]

Pilots on long-haul flights need to eat.

If your instructor told you that then he's a fool for releasing security information of value to hijackers.

such codewords or -phrases are more likely effected by the crews individually. the company might insist that such be used, but if the phrases themselfes were also issued by the company, it would be much to easy for the bad guys to find out.
there was some movie where the stewardess A: called the captain from the phone directly outside the cockpit door (so the bad guy would be unable to hear the captain's reply) and B: addressed him especially formal to let him know something was wrong.

now i don't know about airlines, but other companies whose employees are likely targets for any reason (industrial espionage being at or near the top), teach them and their families what to do in such situations.
one of the most important lessons is to play for time and get the word out. it doesn't make much sense to refuse terrorists access to the cockpit, if they blow up the bird for it.