Pizza through a straw? How U-2 pilots snack at 70,000 feet (2024)

FAQs

Pizza through a straw? How U-2 pilots snack at 70,000 feet? ›

So what are U-2 pilots eating up at 70,000 feet in the air? Basically, it's anything that can fit through a ⅜-inch-thick straw, including but not limited to pizza, pasta, and apple pie.

But the pilots of the high-flying U-2 spy planes bring along sealed tubes of food to give them a boost during a long flight.

Fighter pilots do not have any problem taking food and drinks on flights. The biggest concern is to prevent foreign object damage (FOD) from items like crumbs, bottles, bags, etc. Otherwise, there are plenty of places to carry food to eat: your helmet bag, G-Suit pockets and flight suit pockets.

But despite the glamour of their job, there is one question U-2 pilots are always asked: How do you go to the bathroom at 70,000 feet? The answer is an 'attachment' male pilots wear on their underclothing allowing them to urinate into a container on their pressure suit. Female drivers have something similar.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires two pilots at all times for most aircraft that exceed 12,500 pounds. Other factors, such as flight length may also demand more than one pilot. One of the biggest reasons two pilots are required for commercial flights and private jets is safety.

Yes. But there are strict rules governing nap time. ICAO outlines two types of pilot rest - though not every country permits both. The first is “controlled rest”, where pilots can sleep in the co*ckpit.

2) Moderate caffeine levels

According to FlightSafety.org, pilots are told to avoid consuming more than 300mg of caffeine per day, which can impair mood and psychom*otor performance. That means most of us stick to about three 12-ounce coffees per day.

The answer depends on where the plane is flying and which aviation authority oversees the airline. Some countries allow pilots to sleep in the flight deck (a.k.a. the co*ckpit), while others — like the United States — forbid the practice.

“If both pilots request the same meal, the cabin crew must bring this to the attention of the captain who will approve or deny the request.” So if there is a particularly eye-catching curry on the menu, and neither pilot can face the alternative, they may still eat the same meal.

Summary. Pilots often bring their own food for short-haul flights, but for long-haul flights they can eat leftover onboard service meals. Some airlines provide exclusive meals for pilots, such as sushi, salads, or fruit and cheese plates.

Do airlines pay for pilots food? ›

There are more work hours involved, such as preflight planning, but time in the co*ckpit, and thus the pay, is usually about 75 hours monthly. In addition to flight time, pilots are also paid per diem, which serves to reimburse pilots for the food and beverage expenses that they incur on the road.