10 Things Pilots Do In The Cockpit (But Aren't Actually Supposed To)

Being a pilot sounds like a dream job. Some pilots sure do seem happy in welcoming the passengers and the crew on board. There's the stylish uniform, cockpit with a view, and unlimited travel. However, as much fun as it seems to be a pilot, it's quite serious. Not only does a pilot have to adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but sometimes pilots are held to additional rules set by the private company that hires them.

These rules are set in place to protect the passengers, crew, and especially the pilots, who have the lives of so many people in their hands. As great as most pilots are there are a few with bad habits. And as annoying as some of these rules may sound; such as how many hours to sleep, how to eat, or what pilots can read, it could always be worse, like having a pilot who breaks rules because they're reckless.

10 They Have A Little Too Much Fun To Fly Safe

Now and then every blue moon, a pilot will make headline news, and not for landing a plane safely in the Hudson River, but for breaking some pretty basic flying rules they must follow. For example, if a pilot gets behind the wheel after having an all-night bender, or causes a commotion before boarding, not only will they get arrested, but fired.

9 Sleeping In The Friendly Skies

There are rules set in place requiring pilots to get eight hours of sleep per night. This precaution is to ensure pilots and co-pilots can assist each other in the advent of an emergency. Unfortunately, some pilots sleep behind the wheel, putting themselves and others at risk, because they're tired.

8 Entertaining Themselves With A Personal Device

Another rule that's often broken by pilots, because it's so damn convenient, is reading something other than a newspaper for entertainment while in the cockpit. Newspapers are supposed to be less distracting, whereas cellphones, tablets, and reading devices demand more attention.

7 They Obviously Have Non-Essential Conversations

Pilots are to communicate using essential conversation, but now and then A pilot will use the opportunity of being in the sky to do something different. Take for example a marriage proposal, which would be outside of whatever is considered to be an essential conversation.

6 Allow The Cockpit To Become A Photoshoot

Some pilots mean well but don't know how far an unvetted passenger will push the limits once the door of the cockpit has been opened for a photo opportunity. Pilots get to see some of the most amazing views, but inviting total strangers into the cockpit for a photoshoot is not the smartest of ideas.

5 They Take Selfies For The Gram

Recently a federal law was passed asking pilots to keep personal electronic devices such as cellphones and e-readers outside of the cockpit. This new regulation came into effect after a tremendous amount of viral selfies taken by pilots started to emerge online. The Federal Aviation Administration had to have noticed also.

4 They Get Fired For Allowing Passengers In The Cockpit

It's a rare sight, but now and then someone will manage to sneak a picture from inside the cockpit. The cockpit door is supposed to stay locked during the flight so the flight deck can't be compromised, but somehow things slip through the cracks, and when an image of a girl sitting in the cockpit in China went viral the pilot was fired.

3 They Drop Their Phones From The Plane

Being a pilot comes with envy, inducing perks, but some pilots just rub it in by taking photos and videos no one else can take. Recently, a pilot taking video showed what can go wrong when breaking the rules. The pilot's phone was sucked out the window and plummeted back down to Earth recording everything.

2 They Can Sometimes Use Poor Judgment

If a pilot is on the brink of having a nervous breakdown, about to spout something inappropriate, or comes into work when they shouldn't, it stands out pretty immediately to someone. Usually, security is the first to notice, however sometimes passengers notice it, and speak up. The best-case scenery is when officers step-in before things escalate.

1 They Don't Always Wear Their SeatBelts

Occasionally a pilot is going to get up to use the bathroom. However, it's crucial that the pilot, co-pilot, and any other crew entering the cockpit wear a seatbelt or be safely harnessed into a seat to avoid any unfortunate or unforeseen accidents while onboard the aircraft.

Next: Pilots Reveal: 10 Reasons They Refuse To Fly Over The Bermuda Triangle