Who Cares !

There's a definite skill in sitting in close proximity to another person, and being able to remain friendly over a long period of time.

What do you say? How much do you say?

Knowing when to attempt conversation, and about what - like in any job is something you learn, but sitting feet away from someone all day makes it an important skill to appear friendly, without over, or under doing it.

Flying with someone who doesn't chat is as painful as someone who won't stop. However people get tired and ratty, and sometimes saying nothing is the best thing to do.

Avoid Constant Chatter !

Whether you're interested in the subject or not, sometimes the conversation in the flightdeck hits a winner and you can pass the miles chatting about nothing, before you know it you're there.

People naturally like to talk about themselves and what is going on in their lives.
One test to use in picking a topic is mentally to ask yourself "WHO CARES !".

Asking about where someone lives, if they are married or single, have kids etc. can spark conversation...but eventually more general topics come up.

Questions about an aircraft system can lead into chatting and learning about more about the aircraft too - while procedures are outlined, techniques are varied, and it's interesting to learn from different people.

Safety First - Follow Sterile Cockpit Procedures

At certain times it's better to avoid causing distraction, attempting to make idle conversation or asking general questions at critical times when they can wait can actually distract from normal procedures, so pick your time to chat carefully.

Avoiding Distractions