My take-away from what you write here is that you were referring to toggle switches, whereas Jack used the term pickle switch.
Going back to my days as a Navy pilot, an essential part of Navy pilot training was for pilots to pass a “blindfold test” wherein we had to correctly touch any and all switches and controls, instruments, etc. while blindfolded. The idea was that if for whatever reason one could not use your eyes, or perhaps you were injured, you could still correctly (and immediately without the benefit of sight) put your finger on everything in the cockpit. That would be very difficult were it not for cockpit standardization. I think that in earlier times, these blindfold checks were still a part of airline pilot training, perhaps a carry-over from military training.. But I would guess, not so today. Still, in my opinion, cockpit standardization is very important. In broader terms, there are general rules of the industry where specific functional switches and devices are located. My guess is that today, cockpit standardization is ubiquitous (and global), especially given the dominance of leasing companies. TWA is long gone, but does Lufthansa still require backward toggle switches? Maybe some others? And why (years ago) did Lufthansa require backward switches? My comment about the functional use of Lufthansa toggle switches, i.e., aft is “On”, is very important and not just the location of the switch. My understanding of TWA preference was that it was the same as that of Lufthansa’s. Aft is “On.” Bob Ditchey From: ERIC Smith <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 10:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Mifnet 🛰 75481] Re: 2 misc items I was referring to the landing light switches, seat belt signs and a few others on the AW birds. There were more on the TWA MD80s but they are too far in the past for me to remember. Eric On Monday, February 23, 2026 at 04:01:24 AM GMT+13, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: When Jack asked the question about “pickle switches”, I had to look up the definition to re-assure myself, as it seemed to me that Jack was confusing the terms that differentiate “pickle switch’ from “toggle switch.” They are indeed entirely different devices. Here is the explanation of “pickle switch, from the web: A "pickle switch" is a handheld or stick-mounted momentary button in aviation used to release air-to-ground weapons (bombs) or jettison stores. In military, it refers to the "pickle button" used to drop bombs. On aircraft carriers, it is a controller held by the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) to activate wave-off lights. Key Aspects of the Pickle Switch: * Origin: The term originated during WWII to describe the button used by bomb-aimers to "pickle" (release) bombs. * Military Application: It is a button found on the control stick of fighters like the F-16 Fighting Falcon <https://taskandpurpose.com/history/military-pilots-drop-bombs-pickle-button/> and F-15 Eagle <https://www.forcesnews.com/technology/weapons-and-kit/how-us-fighter-pilots-bomb-release-pickle-switch-got-its-name-and-what> used to release ordnance. * Carrier Operations: Landing Signal Officers (LSOs) <https://theaviationgeekclub.com/naval-flight-officer-explains-why-the-lso-holds-the-pickle-switch-over-its-head/> hold a handheld "pickle" box to trigger the bright red, flashing wave-off lights for aircraft. * Civilian Context: It can refer to the switch used on helicopters to release external sling loads. * Other Definitions: On Boeing aircraft, it is sometimes used to refer to the stabilizer trim switches on the yoke. So basically the pickle switch is mounted on the yoke, in the case of commercial airliners. In appearance, it does not resemble a toggle switch As for the toggle switch, it is normally located in the overhead of the cockpit, and is basically an “On-Off” device What does a toggle switch look like? When mounted on the overhead, the common position of the toggle switch is in a “forward-aft” motion, meaning that the switch in the forward position is on the “On” position, while positioning the switch aft is for the “Off” selection. Eric’s mention of the early America West decision interests me personally, as I was the individual that made that decision when I was Senior VP Operations at AWAL. But Jack mentioned TWA, whereas my America West decision pertained to the very early B737-100 aircraft that were originally delivered to Lufthansa, and later, to some other B737-200’s. It was Lufthansa that reversed the direction of the “On-Off” toggle switches, meaning that the “On” position was to the aft position. I opine that mixing up the direction of the toggle switches is a very dangerous situation, and a real problem for pilot training. At America West I required strict standardization of all B737 cockpits. At that time, America West operated only B737’s but of different versions. Bottom line is that I still am uncertain if either Jack or Eric or both are referring to pickle or toggle switches. My guess is that they are discussion only the pickle switch, and if so, the early America West model reference is incorrect, as in that case it was toggle switches. The overall topic is very important (as concerns cockpit standardization.) Bob Ditchey From: ERIC Smith via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 7:47 PM To: Jack Keady via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: ERIC Smith <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: [Mifnet 🛰 75481] Re: 2 misc items As for #2 yes it was true. The MD80s Aa night from TWA had the switches reversed from what is conventional. The early America West birds also have the switches reversed even now. Eric On Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 02:03:02 PM GMT+13, Jack Keady via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: 1. Some airlines used to schedule departure times in 5 minute intervals - 0600 0615 0620, etc instead of exacgt to the minute. Do any/many carriers still do that? 2. Years ago it was said that TWA cockpit instrumentation was reversed, e.g.a pickle switch was on by pressing the bottom, off the pressing the top. Was this true? keady - asker of odd questions -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 20250507 You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't exactly cost-free. 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