For my IOE I spent 10 days in Europe and Asia with a guy who was initial cadre on the MD11 here in the early nineties. Used to pick up the new planes from Long Beach. He had been an LCA for many many years, and flew hard international the whole time. I learned everything from how to find the Bon to how to taxi to the south side of CDG at night in the fog.

This guy to my knowledge never ran a sim and would laugh if you told him to. He was the best: a hard-core international guy who worked every flight to learn more about the system and the aircraft. It was a "high gain" learning experience for me.

The real risk here is - we've convinced ourselves that IOE is a mere formality - a week in an MD10 going to Dallas and back, and then over to Oahu and back for your international knowledge.

I think IOE should involve a round the world trip, with L-888 and many Subic landings. An Atlantic and a Pacific crossing. A look at Paris and Narita.

I got no problem with the LCA's going to the box, but at least one of the guys I did the box with would be inadequate doing IOE. And yes he was a captain.

LCA: The minimum ought to be 2000 hours PIC international. QED.