Crew members communicate with each other using these secret codes

Dead Head, Hugo and Jim Wilson. Who can decipher these secret flight crew codes? We take a closer look at the encrypted messages that crew members use on planes to communicate secretly and explain what the messages actually mean.

Crew members use these secret codes to communicate while flying

“Dead Head”

In certain cases, flight attendants speak of so-called “dead heads”. However, the obvious assumption that this was a deceased person on board is incorrect. A “dead head” refers to a crew member who is not currently on duty, but is just flying along or being flown to another location for an assignment.

“Hugo” as an abbreviation for “Human Gone”

However, a different code word is used to describe a dead person on board: “Hugo”. In the event that a body has to be transported by plane or a passenger actually dies on board, this incident is called “Hugo” by the crew. The secret code is an abbreviation of the first letters of the two words “Human Gone”.

“Hugo” is used primarily in German air traffic as a code word for a deceased person. If a body is transported on a plane with an English-speaking crew, there is another name for it: “Jim Wilson.” This code cannot be deciphered immediately at first: the name comes from the name of the flying coffins that transport corpses packed in ice.

Paraphrases for deceased passenger on board

“MR”

According to other sources, “Hugo,” which is primarily used by German-speaking crews, is decoded differently: as an acronym for the term “object that died unexpectedly today.” In international flight, dead passengers on board are described with the abbreviation “HR”, i.e. “Human Remains”. Translated, this means “mortal remains”.

Around 50,000 corpses are transported from A to B by plane every year worldwide. One of the largest airports for this type of exceptional cargo is the Dutch airport Amsterdam Schiphol, which has its own mortuary. Around 2,000 dead people are transported from this airport every year.

What does “Baby Jesus” mean?

Many people might assume that the following code word is a description of a sweet baby. But it actually describes exactly the opposite. “Baby Jesus” is a secret name for a pampered and spoiled child.

The code is used by the aircraft crew when they detect a problem child who is likely to scream or throw a tantrum during the flight.

“HC” or “Pax” – what does that mean?

Loudspeaker announcements often mention HC. This is a short form for “Headcount”. HC is used to indicate the number of passengers – excluding babies sitting on their parents’ laps. Flight attendants often call travelers “Pax” as an abbreviation for “persons approximately”. Pax 130 then means “around 130 passengers”.

“Galley” and “Bin”: There are numerous codes for individual areas on the aircraft

“Galley”

In addition, there are a variety of codes and technical terms for individual areas on the aircraft. “Galley” means galley and the “bin” does not describe a trash can, as the English word for it suggests, but the luggage compartment above the seating area. The on-board toilet and other utensils also have their own words as part of a secret language.

“Delta defect”

Most passengers cannot imagine anything when it comes to the term “Delta defect” on a flight. The term is a code word for the statement: Toilet D is broken and is temporarily closed.

“Passenger 11Alpha needs extensions”

“Extensions”

The term extensions describes hair extensions at the hairdresser. It is therefore not surprising if the term “Passenger 11Alpha needs extensions” is not immediately understood on the plane. The term is used when a passenger in row 11 in seat A needs an extension belt.

“Crotch watch”

Everyone knows it: the scrutinizing look of the aircraft crew as they walk through the aisles and check whether all passengers are in their seats and properly buckled in during takeoff and landing. This scrutinizing look is also known among members as the so-called “crotch watch”.

“Miracle Flight”

“Miracle Flight” is a somewhat cynical term for a person in a wheelchair. This term describes the situation when people in wheelchairs are allowed to pass long queues during check-in or passport control. But as soon as the plane lands, these people can travel without any problems and without a wheelchair. Reason for spontaneous healing: a “miracle flight”.

Secret codes related to passengers’ appearance

“Landing Lips”

Even after strenuous long-haul flights, flight attendants always look freshly styled and pretty. This is partly due to the so-called “landing lips”. Shortly before landing, make-up including lipstick is applied again. Also enhances the outfit: high-heeled shoes are only worn for the welcome and farewell greetings.

“I might do 7 days in Denmark”

There are also secret codes from plane members that apparently relate to the appearance of passengers. Then interest in passengers is expressed with sentences like: “I might do 7 days in Denmark”. Because that means something like: “the passenger in seat 7D likes it”. Also a code: “I might do 5 days in America”. Then the passenger of desire is probably sitting in seat 5A.

“Slam clickers” prefer to stay in the hotel room

“Slam Clicker”

“Slam Clicker” is the secret name for a boring crew member who prefers to stay alone instead of spending time with the whole crew. The term is mainly used during overnight stays when “slam clickers” prefer to stay in the hotel room. “Slam” is an abbreviation for “slams the door” and “Clicker” is an abbreviation for “clicks the lock”.

“Senior Mom”

The actual meaning of this code is not that far-fetched and can perhaps be guessed by yourself. A “senior mom” is a flight attendant who has many years of experience in her job. An older Stewart, on the other hand, is generally called a “senior.” “Senior moms” are apparently considered a little stricter than younger flight attendants. But every passenger has to decide for themselves…

“Cactus”

Special codes are also used to describe dangerous situations. For example, in the event of an emergency, a special light lights up in the front part of the flight cabin. The expression “cactus” is often used by the aircraft crew. The word is used specifically for medical emergencies involving passengers whose lives are in danger.

“7700”

So-called transponder codes, which can be set by the pilots, are also used in emergencies. The number combination 7700, for example, is considered an alarm for all air traffic controllers. It lights up on the air traffic control radar and signals an emergency. The number sequence 7600, on the other hand, stands for a radio failure and 7500 codes for a hijacking of the aircraft.

“Slot” or “CTOT”

Certain codes must have international validity so that communication throughout the entire airspace is possible and can function smoothly. “Slot” or “CTOT” are also among these secret codes, which designate time windows for the flight start. A so-called time slot is abbreviated CTOT in technical language. Deciphered, the code means: “Calculated Time Of Takeoff”.

Animals also get a code word

“AVI”

Animals also become travelers from time to time. So it’s no wonder that there are code words specific to them within flight operations. “AVI,” for example, is a code word for live animals in the cargo hold. The aircraft crew must be informed of this fact and simply refers to the live cargo as “animal vivant”, in short: AVI.

This article was written by Natalie Cada

The original for this post “Crew members communicate with each other with these secret codes.” comes from Teleshow.