Position: Over Lincoln, Nebraska
Altitude: 36,000 feet
Groundspeed: 337 knots (387 mph)
Equipment: A320 V2500 A-1 engines
Pax-on-board: 150
Airborne... Day number three of a four day trip.
Where am I and why am I dressed this way? Yikes! Time for oxygen, again... The alien-like head squeezer grips my skull and face allowing the regulator to flood my lungs with a pressurized stream of cool aviator's oxygen. Colors get brighter instantly and my mental acumen comes back from the brink of stupid. I look over at the co-pilot; he is looking at the food stains on his tie.
Surely he is doing just that... Because sleeping is illegal. Just ask the poor air traffic controllers who are in the media smash box at the moment.
The moon is setting in my twelve with the sun rising in my six. We have been flying for three hours with three more to go on the back side of the circadian body clock. Fortunately, I have been doing this for so many years that I am able to stay awake without much problem.
Outside, the winds are 120 knots (138 mph) on the nose cone; three different altitudes have been tried with no relief. We are going to be late arriving KLAX, no matter what thrust setting we use. I have this thing about being late, but sometimes it cannot be helped.
Below us, the vast bread basket of the American Empire. How many times have I flown over it? Maybe when I am put out to pilot pasture, I can get my logbooks/trip sheets and try to figure it out... If I can remember that I wondered about it back in the day.
Right seat nuisance...
The guy in the right seat has been ticking me off the entire trip. It is rare for me to have trouble with a co-pilot, as in extremely rare. I have been whining about him to the wife-of-my-youth with every phone call. She says I might be getting a little grumpy in my pre-geezer state. There could be something to that, I guess.
Nevertheless, he is combative with the ATC controllers on the radio. That instantly drives me insane. The controllers are not our enemies in any way, shape, or form. When he is issued a new frequency, he dials it in and pushes the transmit button before checking whether he is blocking another conversation. Also, he mumbles during the read-back causing the controllers to transmit again for clarification. Very amateurish...
Do I really have to tell a 40 year old airline pilot how to talk on the radio?
His aircraft handling is sloppy. For example, landing off the centerline of the runway. Now how basic is that?
Do I really have to tell a 40 year old airline pilot to land on the center of the runway?
Another thing that turns me into a screaming mimi is union talk while being high and fast on a crossing restriction. This guy does it continually... He is bashing airline management or a sector of the seniority list that he hates all the while being 2,000 feet high and 80 knots too fast ten miles from the crossing waypoint. Fingernails on a chalkboard...
Do I really have to tell a 40 year old airline pilot to shut-up and fly the aircraft?
Ten minutes before push from the gate and he has not pre-flighted the aircraft. And that has been at every single push on this four day trip.
Do I really have to tell a 40 year old airline pilot to pre-flight the aircraft early so the mechanics have time to work on a problem?
Right seat perfection...
The wife-of-my-youth reminds me that I am predisposed to impatience with this guy because he is not on my list of favorite co-pilots with whom I normally fly. There might be something to that...
But...
Consider that I get to fly with one of the top co-pilots in the whole industry on a regular basis. She never makes a mistake of any kind with the aircraft; flies it like she is an integral part of the control system. Radio comm is absolutely (100%) perfect; clear and concise. So much so that controllers actually enjoy talking with her and we seem to get preferential treatment.
The aircraft is ready to go all the time; all the work is done for me including administrative and any required maintenance before I sit down. All I have to do is show up with coffee in hand. The difference is like night and day. What a concept!
Left seat whinefest...
There is something about this guy that pushes the wrong buttons. It is probably magnified by circadian switches in my brain. I should quit mentally whining and get this guy out of my head. Yes, quit whining captain... Not professional at all.
No-whine zone...
OK, I feel much better. The co-pilot is still inspecting his tie. Must be a heck of a mustard stain. My throat is dry from the oxygen. I take the mask off... The sun will be above the horizon in a few minutes and the day time circadian switch will trip ON.
The ATC center controller calls us... I look at the co-pilot. Nothing, so I answer the call. The co-pilot then wakes up and asks if he missed anything.
No, not a thing.
Outside, winds have increased to 140 knots. On the plus side, our star is rising and washing away the long night with morning's beautiful light. Things are looking better already.
Life on the Line continues...
69 comments:
It must be said... Over the past few months I have read this blog from front to back and this is the first time you have voiced such a great dislike for a copilot. All I can say is I hope your next trip involves flying with one of the copilots on your top five list!
Please let him decide this is not for him and get another career before he does a Colgan.
Surely you can ground him for missing a required altitude and speed restriction, for additional training? I'm in a CFI course right now, and I was just told that as a CFI I have the authority to ground a poor pilot until he/she has received corrective training.
Hey, I fly airline from FLL to ORD. I don't want him up front.
I have always admired your consistent respect for your co-pilots and other colleagues, and now I commend you for your patience. I myself have zero tolerance for confrontational attitudes toward ATC and bad-mouthing the company you work for.
Hi Dave,
I've read every single one of your blog posts and I flatter myself that I've gotten a feel for your professionalism and your philosophy of life and flying. You've talked about captains you flew with, who have since gone West. You've talked about Phantom drivers. You've talked about your days in the right seat of a steam jet.
Do you know what you've always brought across? That all those captains taught you something that you're still using today. Even if it was captain badass that you might never want to fly with again, you learned how not to act when you made captain.
With that huge store of experience and the gift you have for picking the right thing to say and not to say and the right time to (not) say it, I have every confidence you will find a path to lighting a fire of competence under this FO such that he'll "get the flick" (as we used to say) and twenty years from now he'll be coaxing some kid along and telling him, "look, back in the electric jet days, I had a captain who…" and he'll wax nostalgic about how you made him a better pilot.
Maybe a Stack Speech.
LRod
ZJX, ORD, ZAU retired
Captain,
As a long time and loyal reader of your blog (and not-so-frequent commenter), I felt the urge to provide some words of support after reading this latest post.
But, after reading the comments, I won't take the time to repeat what LRod has said, which I think pretty much sums up most of what I would have said. Or, at least what I wish I would have thought to say.
Thanks for an awesome blog!
Bob
P.S. Thanks, LRod (from an ex-ORD freight dog)
Capt. Dave, I'm thinking you need to exercise your authority and get this guy out of the cockpit! But hey, I really am a certified grumpy old fart. Somebody probably should have washed him out a long time ago...Sorry you had to endure him on this trip...You deserve better for sure...Still, I think it's good you vented here...Keeps the blood pressure where it belongs. Blue skies and fair winds to ya.
They are everywhere these days.
Sounds like the creep is not qualified to be a tug driver, much less in front of first class.
Find a way to straighten him out before a mortician does with a bunch of us.
I hear you Dave!
I'm far from perfect, and I only have a PPL and fly VFR. I spend a lot of time in and out of class G and class C airspace. Still I get irritated by sloppy radio, sloppy flying, sloppy attitude.
A bit of planning, a bit of pre-thought makes the whole thing go much smoother - for everyone! The number of times ATC has helped me because I'll work with them instead of at them...
Awesome blog Capt!
Cheers,
Rodney
Dave
Nice blog, good to see you and the occupant of the other seat are 'normal' as in, sometimes in this trade you just have to suffer fools who have no pride in their work. It drives me insane, they met the minimum standard and they think that is all there is to it - no care for their profession.
I am an ATC; thanks for supporting our dozy mates in the US of A, and my pet hate - ATCs who consul pilots on the a/g, drives me through the roof, I can't ever go for a medical after working with one particular bozo.
Cheers Iain
That F/O acts bitter. Does he think he is owed something? A 40 year old baby!
No, you don't come across as being overly critical (complainer), you just demand a certain level of professionalism and commitment. Captain Dave, this guy lacks it big time! :(
Like the previous posters have said--these people are everywhere, I'm afraid.
Can't you talk the mechanics into installing an ejector seat?
"The co-pilot is still inspecting his tie. Must be a heck of a mustard stain."
hilarious!!!!
:sigh:
Times like this I think of my father in law (a hilarious, and laid back Sheriff's Deputy). "Alright, Dumbass. Let's try it again... the right way.
Nothing like a swift kick in the ass delivered with a smile! :-D
Simply send a link of this column to the chief pilot.
You don't need to day anything else.
The Chief Pilot will undoubtedly determine who your seat mate was, and gently query others who have had the dubious honor. Your right-seater will be under the microsocope before he knows what hit him.
While agreeing with other comments, I'll also add this:
There's no shortage of people who would rather be in your co-pilot's seat than the one they're in now. I think that there's always ability to learn, but that there shouldn't be much room at the top for sloppiness when there are so many excellent, conscientious pilots slogging through regional careers waiting for their chance at the heavy metal.
Captain:
I hope you provide him with the ass chewing - excuse me, constructive criticism - he richly deserves. Not every pilot will be like your favorite, but they should at minimum be professional, meaning proper communications and working for the centerline. Seems numbnuts is sharing your cockpit just to collect a paycheck. Too bad you can't kick him to the curb and get a replacement.
Thank you for your well-written and entertaining blog.
Safe flying,
David
What a horrible thing to hear, you'd expect different from someone who has chosen to be an airline pilot.
Personally I would feel really awful if I would act like that..
Good morning Captain (with a capital "C") Dave.
It looks to me like your FO may well need a check ride. I know from past articles that you are generally reluctant to have such an august "visitor" on the flight deck, but if this gentleman is mumbling his readbacks, inspecting his neck scarf for food stains for several hours at a time, and landing multimillion-dollar airframes off center, you may just want to let Chief Pilot know that you'd appreciate someone in the jump seat holding a clipboard the next time you fly with this particular FO.
Keep the greasy side down.
Time to give ProStan a call. You are not the only one to have problems with this guy!! Do it before you have to fly with him again.
What are you going to do if the co-pilot reads this?
I have very little time for individuals who think the world owes them something and it sounds like this co-pilot is one of them. Do you have any say whatsoever in this guy's career because it sounds as though he may not be cut out for the job?
Captain Dave, I commend your patience because I for one would have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. As a boss myself I would imagine it is terribly frustrating for you not to be able to say anything in order to maintain safety in the cockpit. It must take a lot of restraint and that is a great quality to have.
Keep up the great posts and interesting pictures. I get all excited when I notice the page has changed, how sad it that?!
All the best
Stu
Unfortunate you lack an eject button.
One wired to the right seat.
But I suspect your airline has one.
Give this fellow the word and if no improvement, use it.
Unfortunately, the forces of PC have invaded my cockpit. If I were to complain about this character, the first question would be, "Captain, do you have trouble getting along with your co-pilots?"
The second question would be, "Would you be interested in attending a class on CRM that we are giving next Thursday?"
I never complain about any crew members...
I think it is good to realise we are all not created equally, but unprofessionalism will get you and certainly him into trouble, It is not if but when.
Some people just grate, call it non-alignment of the stars, It maybe just the way they dress or do their routine daily chores, but deep down we all hate slackers, but they just seem to just go serenely on, and leaving chaos in their wake....
...and it is because we fix and clean up their mess left behind them.
*giggle*
Understood.
Captain Dave,
If you complained about all or most of you FOs, I would dismiss this as a rant. As I've NEVER heard a complaint and usually the oposite, this post becomes serious. You have a professional responsibility, to your line, your colleagues, your PAX - and to yourself to take some action. Since you are willing to post about it, I figured the task was already done. Until I read your reply to 20+ posts. I understand, but I am still disappointed. -C.
So much so that controllers actually enjoy talking with her and we seem to get preferential treatment.
Wow!
That's really sad, Captain. Looks like the airlines are not immune to the B/S the rest of us deal with, even when 150+ lives are on the line.
Well, you know the system in a way that I never will. But I will say that it scares me to think your tie-stained FO will eventually command an airliner if nothing is ever said.
Dear Dave,
I just hate flying with that guy. He seems to get hired at every place I ever worked.
He is always talking about another guy's mistakes just as the whole sequence of errors that I have been watching unfold comes to its logical conclusion.
He is carping and complaining just as the altitude beep or an autopilot heading change or an ATC inquiry snaps him out of his rant.
Then he looks at me like"what happened-or-what do I do now?".
AAARRRGGGHH!
Of course,me being a perfect pilot(Hoover and Yeager used to call me for tips)I would already have a solution for our dilemma and smoothly set things back in place.
Well,sometimes.Mostly.In truth,sometimes I would get so caught up in my steaming,broiling,stewing,distaste of the guy(spelled-hatred)I too would be behind and the I really got mad.
But the one thing that really got my jaws sore was not landing on the center line.Oh man.I could take the depression of just being with the guy.I could stand ATC being angry or sarcastic. Worrying that the feds would be calling was scary but I could kinda put that off in my mind. But , not at least TRYING to put it on the center line would just send me to the moon.
If a guy was just a bad pilot with no instinct or flare for it but he TRIED,I would be in his corner.But the guy that just flops in on there anywhere....it just sums up all you have to know about him.
Jerk.
Other people would give anything they have just to get an opportunity to be in the position he is. His character, in addition to all other things he has been called, is just plain disrespectful - to his co-crew members, and to the profession. What happened to the airman code of conduct/honor? As the airlines start hiring again, I have no doubt he will end up a captain eventually. Hopefully he will make these mistakes during a line check and get a wake up call.
Yeah, I get bad dreams like that when I eat beef for dinner. Switch to chicken and you'll sleep better.
What? You mean that's not a bad dream?
Gak!
Yikes !
You AND jaymarywarden Captain Dave....?
Sounds to me as though this chap is very much off-centre.... !?
Bev
Cape Town
No doubt this co-pilot has found a career not to his liking and he is taking it out on those who can't reach his throat!
Surely he is doing just that... Because sleeping is illegal.
I assume that there are times when sleeping is officially sanctioned, right? I'm not talking about FO Tie Inspector and his fine work ethic, but pilots on long (like trans-oceanic) flights. Does there have to be an extra pilot on board before napping is allowed?
I couldn't comment for a couple of days as each time I re-read the post I was caught between the frustration you were feeling with this idiot's behavior and your delightful humorous touch in telling this story, Dave. Even the heading 'Right seat nuisance' still has me going!
I am glad you are able to express yourself this way, as it needed to be said somehow! I am also glad you have that wonderful wife-of-your-youth at the end of the phone, but must admit I was rolling on the floor with laughter when she suggested you might be getting a little grumpy in your pre-geezer state!
I admire your professionalism and character, and I get angry at the modern-day attitude of protecting the guilty and prosecuting the one who has good reason for raising the complaints. What if a captain smelt alcohol on his co-pilot's breath, for example? At what point can he/she make a complaint without risking having the finger of 'you are the one with the problem' pointed at them for doing so?
I am praying that God will either improve or remove this guy.
From the wonderful comments from the FL390 community, we are sending you our support over the cyberwaves, Dave!
I am afraid.
And I don't except under extreme duress get into an airplane any more.
You guys fly overhead, you fly the in skies my relatives and loved ones fly in.
2,000 off assigned altitude puts you in the space I used t0o fly in.
That guy is a menace.
I am disappointed that you can't or won't do anything about him.
I once was over LAX monitoring approach as instructed when an arrogant ass driving a TWA flight got his comeuppance from the controller. At the time I thought it was pretty funny, and the telling of it still is.
But now I realize that guy is a hazard. I have no idea if he went on to kill anybody, but it would not surprise me.
And I don't think TWA ever flew an aluminum overcast like you guys do.
Please reconsider taking action of some kind. Does the FAA still have the nofault thing?
But seriously, there are some jobs where dozing off is wildly dangerous. In this case, the left seat covered his ass ... and that of everyone behind the security door. What about the next time?
Blow the whistle, Dave.
Disappointing.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news to several of my readers, but this type of behavior is not "that" uncommon. Rabid union dog types are fairly common in big airlines as are people who just don't care because of the collapse of their airline fantasy world fueled by the Interview Industry.
Interviewing at a major airline is a game that the best players win. Weak flying abilities can be covered by strong performance in other areas of the Interview process, hence the reason weak pilots fall through the cracks.
I could go on and on, but I will not...
No need to go on and on, Dave. I have to deal with similar situations at my own job.
When did union representation evolve from protecting good employees from unfair managerial treatment to protecting irresponsible people from the repercussions of their behavior? There's got to be a line there somewhere.
What's most frustrating for me is watching the demoralizing effect that FO Tie Inspector-type employees have on co-workers who really care about their jobs. Everyone suffers when the bozos get treated with kid gloves -- union and managerial workers alike.
Two photos before a post here is in usual ... Two views of the very same still night sky. Love it that you got to see that, and thanks for sharing ... . They seem to foreshadow the "this" and "that" of life on the line ... . This post seems a companion to the one ... "Who's in Control Here?!" ... That may not be the title, I don't remember. I did believe you were incredulous for a reason. All this blustering about turn him in ... Really?! I'm going to save my armchair piloting for the approaching season of storms ... Holler, if you need any help interpreting the on board weather data!
I don't know how to express this precisely, but, this kind if guy must be leaving an administrative papertrail of ineptitude ... disregard for company procedures ... disrespect for the uniform he wears ... mustard stains on every thing he touches. (I think that no fault/ get outta jail free FAA report is called a NASA report ... Still active
program ... Shooting in the dark bc my regs aren't at hand.)
He'll get his turn on the carpet ... Where he'll likely leave another spot.
In the mean while, you have had a nasty little four day refresher on how pleasant work is when cold feet and rancid nourishment is all you gotta worry about ...lol ... Yeah, and light fuel ... and embedded TS ... mechanical glitches ... and your Robert Stack impersonation ... Lol ... all that [C]aptain stuff. On this ride the gremlin was in the
right seat ... Piece of cake!
I like the stories about high energy approaches ... Negotiating with Thor ... Pandora ... And I liked this post too. There's so much more going on under the jauntily adjusted hat ... behind the cool shades ... from the Captains seat ... .
Vaya con Dios, Captain Dave!
~DeAnn
Hi Captain Dave,Great posts.
As an aircraft nut, I love reading your point of view from the pointy end.
I probably the sort of person you dread at airports. If I happen to come close enough to anyone in a pilots uniform, I try to ask them about hows it going up the front.
Having flown twice in B738 simulators,(I am yet to control the throttles completely for take offs or landings yet!) of course you know I am qualified to talk shop with you guys!!
I'll have to now work my way through the rest of your posts.
I'm looking forward to it.
(hey if I get an hour or so in an A320 sim we'll talk shop ok?)
Thanks for the great read.
Good point Dave, but I still think it is right to take action against this guy. The fact that it is not so common doesn't make it acceptable.
When you retire (please not soon!) you may look back, and say to yourself- God, if only I just tried to do something about that asshole.....
You never know, you may regret the decision to remain silent in 10 or 15 years when you are less caught up in it all.
Of course, it's not your responsibility to report this guy, nor is it your job to listen to my advice, but I am sure the sky gods of yesteryear would have had no problem giving this guy the boot.
In my eyes, and the eyes of your other avid followers, namely Noella, Bev, etc, you are a modern day sky god, although you are too modest to believe it. Conditions in the industry have changed massively since the days of the old sky gods, but that doesn't mean you can't try.
Anyway, as I said that's just my two cents, take it or leave it. I'm just hoping it's a long time until you retire!
You should have pulled rank and pulled the First Officer up. To let poor discipline fester for four days isn't good, however uneasy you may feel in a confrontational situation.
I know the exact feeling about those radio calls I've had with my FOs. I CRIIINGE at horrible radio calls and etiquette, but I'm not paid enough nor am I their teacher. Hopefully they will pick up my suggestions and hints when I mention it casually to them.
As a controller jump-seating on one of our old Familiarization Flights back in the '70s, I was the only person awake in the cockpit of a 727 over Omaha. Seriously!
Only the controller was awake!
What are the odds?!
Captain Dave, since the gray matter between your headphones is equally tasked to Fi-Fi when you see that this ID10T (India Delta TEN Tango) is going to be breaking a crossing restriction by such a great margin, do you have the authority to request a holding turn and decent from ATC to get it straightened out?
Does Fi-Fi keep a log like Apple products do, of which stick has control and an electronic reconstruction of the FDR and CVR that is capable of setting the electronic ordnance to volley against him to the Chief Pilot?
That would seem to be an objective and non-judgmental review of his performance.
We all know that individuals can pilsh things up well when there is a check pilot in the seat staring over your shoulder.
Safety first, last, and always.
Sure a disaster is unlikely, but even the smallest avoidable chance at catastrophe needs to be addressed.
Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.
Would you and your wife sit in the back of his next flight if you didn't know the captain?
I feel your pain. Nothing makes a 4 day trip feel longer than a bad FO. From reading some of the comments here I think there is a lack of understanding of the delicate politics inside the cockpit. Sure, you could go after this guy and try to get him in hot water, but the result will be more suffering for you. If you ever come up with a solution for "pain in the behind" crew members please post it.
I appreciate all the suggestions of how to handle a pain-in-the-rear co-pilot. Just as one of the commenters, photos4u2c, suggested... Politics in the cockpit are very delicate... To the extreme, actually.
Several have asked if I would ride or let my family ride with a co-pilot like this... Well, actually yes. Passengers do not know the pilots at all.
One suggested to get a new co-pilot. That is called Crew Separation in my business and is looked upon very seriously; the captain is held responsible for all Crew Seps, no matter what happened to cause it. The captain had better be correct.
It boils down to this; once in awhile a captain has to put up with a less than stellar performer in the right seat.
In the old days, a co-pilot like this would have been severely reprimanded immediately, but those days are long gone. Now we must worry about the co-pilot's self-esteem. You think I am joking? No joke.
Picturing you with an old windex bottle full of ice water, set on the straight stream setting.... squirting him every time he screws something up and/or nod's off.
Works for my dogs!
Give him a jar of mustard next time you have the misfortune to fly with him. It'll help you to feel better about the trip ahead.........perhaps....
And for God's, yours and the passengers' sakes, [C]aptain Dave, keep your oxygen mask at the ready for when he takes his mid-flight siesta.
Off the top of your head, about what percentage of the time would you say you are exposed to flying with these burdensome characters Captain Dave ?
Surely.......SURELY.....when your book comes out it will facilitate safer flight management.... ?
Bev
Worry about the pilot's self esteem? Now, we wouldn't want anyone to feel badly about doing a bad job...that would mean the pilot would have to grow/change...good grief!
I understand, but I can still shake my head. :)
Thanks, Captain Dave.
Captain Dave-
Don't let the turkeys in life like this guy get you down. After thinking long and hard about the downward trend that your profession is going, I just qualified for my loan to finish my training. For several years this blog has inspired me and given me the hope that I can bring the same passion and professionalism to the industry that you do. So on the eve of plunging myself into debt and uncertainty, I think it is the right choice. I'm sure I speak for more than one FL390 fan when I say, feel free to rant on the blog anytime...you do it with such grace haha.
Tim12of13: ROFLOL at the image of Dave doing that!
Dave: Maybe you could just imagine yourself giving him squirt as he makes each transgression, and you will smile inside and ease your tension!
I knew I picked the wrong career! Had I stuck with flying I could have tons more self esteem by now.
From what I've read from you over the years, Dave, I can only say that this guy must really be a class act to peg your meter.
Dear Captain Dave,
in case you find that your F/O is 'inspecting' his/her tie in excess... Is allowable for you to wake him/her up? I mean, the risk of falling both asleep is much more likely if already one of you is asleep... doesn't it? is there any CRM manual that give guidelines on how to behave on a very common situation like this? Is different on a car, you can park and sleep, but up there... mmmm...
ATC and Pilots are on the same business, get people there, safely and as fast as possible... falling asleep, last time I checked, is not a crime, is something we do every day (or night), procedures for avoiding that on critical tasks (like the one you perform) are what we are supposed to find... Am I right?
What about some inspirational reading for your co-pilot? As he probably is prone to ascribe mishaps he does to bad luck, he could use some from the Norwegian polar explorer Amundsen:
"I may say that this is the greatest factor — the way in which the expedition is equipped — the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. Victory awaits him who has everything in order — luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck."
Harsh words, but when I think back on my own mistakes I know why they happened, reading and really understanding the quote above would have saved me a lot of embarrasments.
Ulf Larsen
Oslo, Norway
AF447 PART IV BLACK BOX RECOVERY
At Long Last the CVR has been recovered. Maybe now we can learn what down that majestic electronic bird, and all the souls on board.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/01/black-box-air-france-crash_n_856050.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%7C59756
AF#447 PART IV - CORRECTION
It's the Flight Data Recorder, not the CVR. Sorry for the oringinal mis-info...
There's a first time for everything. It's actually been a point of humour between me and other bloggers, to note how highly you praise everyone you work with. We knew you had to get a bad coworker sometimes and thought you were just covering for them. Now this post makes the others look even better.
This blog is getting annoying! Annoying because everytime I read those well written posts I cant help it, I so badly want to be an airline pilot. Im born and raised in Norway, and work as a train driver (guess u call that a railway engineer in the states?). I put flying on the shelf a while back, figuring that even if I did succeed in becoming a comercial pilot, I`d have to fly for "free" with Ryanair or something to build hours. (believe it or not, but I make more money on this job than a newly hired co-pilot in Sas, Widerøe or Ryanair for that matter). Anyways, thank you so much for the insight u give, it is highly appreciated in this corner of the world. And if u ever do travel to Stavanger, Norway, then let me know, and I`ll show u my Fi-Fi:-).
One would think there is some mechanism where a Captain can request a surprise Line Check for his crew. And then have the Check Dude fly with you on more than one segment, so he can see how the guy operates in both roles.
I can see how someone can pass the Sim Checks, but the sims don't really test for sloppy flying techniques and habits, do they.
Whatever the mechanism, this individuals does not seem to strive to continually get better at his job -- a sloppy "good enough, more of less" seems to be his standard.
This is the one and only blog i read on the internet. Thank you Captain Dave for your wonderful and amazing stories! You always succeed in telling a story in such a way that it feels like i was there myself.
If I am ever on a flight in the States on Fi-Fi, I hope you will be the captain! You help to keep my hopes alive to one day start small with my PPL license.
Ok enough praise! :)
One question: Was the time in Anchorage that you wrote about the only time you had to go-around?
Dave, this attitude is even more prevalent in the regional trenches. As a CRJ Captain, I loathe it also. The lack of discipline and professionalism these pilots have stems from their backgrounds, imo. As a general rule, military pilots carry their pride, honor, and duty over with them into civilian flying, no matter how difficult the 'mission'. With civilian pilots, you may or may not have those same values instilled in a pilot along the way. BTW I have a civvie background.
Why not talk with him, man to man, pilot to pilot? Counsel him to start being the professional he is paid for by the airline and entrusted by the pax to be. If he reports you, you're covered, as I see it.
Great blog! One of the best.
“Between two worlds life hovers like a star, twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge.” ~Lord Byron
... The life of an Airline pilot. Of course I remembered these two very beautiful images when I read across Byron early this morning.
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