Hacker News Reader

Can deadhead in a regular seat on a passenger plane. Invite them in if needed only. Airlines won’t like the loss of a revenue seat.

The doors&locks are really good now. So good you can even lock out your co-pilot while they stop in the bathroom… (an argument in favour of having a 3rd deadheading pilot next to the others)

View on HN

From that link:

In response to the incident and the circumstances of the co-pilot's involvement, aviation authorities in some countries implemented new regulations that require the presence of two authorised personnel in the cockpit at all times.

So if a pilot has to visit the lavatory, a flight attendant or some other qualified person has to replace the pilot on the flight deck (not in actual duty of course, just not leaving a single person alone there).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com