^^^^^^^^ ForeverFO does not lie ^^^^^^^^^

AA has always had a "Captain" mentality since the DC-3 days. They love to claim they hire Captains but the truth is that, when you're an FO, you're just an FO.

Examples:

- All PAs are made by the Captain. That includes on taxi out, in the air, on the descent, and on taxi in. Doesn't matter whether he is PF or PM. The only PA made by the FO is approaching the gate, for folks to remain seated and for F/As to disarm doors (which, ironically, is made by the F/As at every other airline - for good reason, who wants the FO making a PA approaching the gate????)

- Only the Captain is allowed to land the airplane with RVR less than 4000 or vis less than 1/4mile.

- Only Captains are allowed to be Check Airmen.

- Only Captains are allowed to start the engines.

- Only Captains are allowed to turn on/off exterior lights, hit the sterile chime, and work the seat belt sign.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. We have FOs here with thousands of hours of experience, most of who have been Captains previously, who are essentially prevented from acting like Captains in training. And frankly, most of our FOs are so beaten down by this mentality that they only do their job and no more.

Sad situation. I will say that it has SLOWLY been changing, but we have a long way to go in catching up with most "modern 21st century" airlines.