No Aircraft
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 36.7; Flight Crew Total 903.45; Flight Crew Type 903.45
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; No Specific Anomaly Occurred Unwanted Situation
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I am concerned about having to wear a mask at cruise altitude while a Flight Attendant is on the Flight Deck. I feel we are putting Flight Attendant mask concerns over safety of flight concerns. If we experience a Rapid Decompression at FL 390; time of useful consciousness is measured in single digit seconds. A Rapid Decompression would be stressful; disconcerting and confusing. Now we would also have to waste a precious second or two to remove the cloth mask. If it is OK for the pilots to be mask-less in the cockpit when no Flight Attendant is present; why put the safety of the flight at risk solely for the comfort of flight attendants?
Air Carrier Captain reported the requirement of wearing a face mask with a Flight Attendant on the Flight Deck is a safety concern; especially if there is an event such as a rapid decompression.