Pilot locked out of Air New Zealand coughpit after mid-air dispute

[whatmeworry]

Captain and FO had a bit of tiff which to lead to a dispute.

A 13-minute takeoff delay caused so much tension between two Air New Zealand pilots that the first officer was locked out of the coughpit on a flight between Perth and Auckland.
On May 21, flight NZ176 was delayed after the first officer was asked to undertake a random drug and alcohol test. This was enough to enrage the captain, for whom timeliness was a matter of great pride.
Crew on board the packed Boeing 777 became concerned when the captain did not respond to three requests to open the coughpit door. The first officer then entered the coughpit by an alternative method, which was not disclosed for security reasons.

Read more: Pilot locked out of Air New Zealand coughpit after mid-air dispute
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[Foreigner]

What could have been the alternative method of entry, other than windows? Gentle persuasion?

 

[opusman]

Maybe the "coughPIT" sign flips up like the ones on the toilet doors.

 

[Homer]

What could have been the alternative method of entry, other than windows? Gentle persuasion?

I read somewhere that some crew rest compartments can be accessed via the coughpit, so maybe this one could also be accessed via an external door and, from there, into the coughpit?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

May I suggest you guys follow the articles lead and not make further comments on that ?

 

[Homer]

May I suggest you guys follow the articles lead and not make further comments on ways to access a coughpit.

The Herald didn't censor the information - NZ didn't release it. If it had been released you can bet that it would have been reported. In any case, the bad guys would have taken a close look this and most other options a long time ago. They aren't learning anything from AFFers that they don't already know, except maybe how to get elite status.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

The Herald didn't censor the information - NZ didn't release it. If it had been released you can bet that it would have been reported. In any case, the bad guys would have taken a close look this and most other options a long time ago. They aren't learning anything from AFFers that they don't already know, except maybe how to get elite status.

ok, up to you

 

[opusman]

You should google "security through obscurity" and read up on why it's never a good idea.

 

[Foreigner]

The captain may be stood down pending full investigations by Air NZ and civil aviation authorities.

 

[harvyk]

What could have been the alternative method of entry, other than windows? Gentle persuasion?

I always figured that there was a keypad hidden somewhere which required a code. Typically not used unless required as each time a code is used on a keypad there is a chance that prying eyes might see what that code is.

of course this is a guess, and I strongly suspect those in the know wouldn't be too quick to confirm / deny.

 

[Foreigner]

So the FO was asked to take a random drug test, pre-takeoff surely, and the captain had an axe to grind with him for delaying the departure? Not sure if the lockout occurred on the ground or during flight.

 

[casanovawa]

What a tosser....

And yes you would expect it to be after takeoff and during the flight... If I was the FO I would have just put the feet up in J and watched a movie...