Originally Posted by
shanejj
I still don't get how much damage a low times could do.....he's not flying the plane, the captain is....what could the low times possibly do....the radios? Bring the gear down/up? Flaps?
So seriously.....the captain with a lot more experience is right next to him, why isn't he then allowed in the cockpit?
I think you are missing the point.
An FO, while the least experienced (usually) on the flight deck, still bears the responsibility for conducting a safe flight. Not trying to be an A-hole, but if you go to an airline job with the mind set of:
he's not flying the plane, the captain is....what could the low times possibly do....the radios? Bring the gear down/up? Flaps?
You are doing your crew, your pax, and yourself a disservice with that kind of thinking. Granted, regional airlines are a stepping stone where you can gain MORE experience, specifically 121 experience. However, it is unprofessional and irresponsible to think that all you do as an FO is sling the gear and man the radio.
I flew with many Captains that not only valued my experience and input as an FO, but in some cases needed it when things were going poorly. There is a reason these aircraft are certified for 2 pilots. On most days flying these machines are pretty easy with automation and all, but when the doo doo hits the fan things can get crazy pretty fast and good CRM + crew experience (sometimes luck) are the only things that will get everyone's rump on mother earth safely.
Plus, just because the Pilot is the Captain, doesn't mean he is God's gift to flight. I've flown with plenty of them that I had to scratch my head and wonder how the he11 that person got into the left seat. It is a crew environment. That means both pilots back each other up and keep each other out of trouble. Not everyone, including the CA can be on top of their game all of the time.
What would you do if your Captain keeled over on your first flight off of IOE? Your training wheels are off now, what are you going to do? When the captain has lost all situational awareness for what ever reason, are you going to sit there and watch while he CFITs you into a mountain, because he’s the Captain and is flying the plane while the FO ONLY slings the gear?
Your attitude towards the responsibility of an FO scares me even more than the low times I’m hearing about here.
Good day and good luck.