Originally Posted by
Planespotta
OK, I'll bite. Who would want to "win" the friendship of or "sway" the influence of a douche bag pilot in the first place? Pretending to be his friend just to make things more bearable makes it even worse. Life is too short to suck up to these guys like some soulless sycophant. If you're doing it to "further your career," ask yourself if you really think such a douche bag is liked by other people out there in the industry?
I'm not saying to play hard ball with this guy and get into an argument or anything that could compromise safety. But if the other guy is being a douche bag and you just let it "slide" thinking you're the "bigger man," then you just let him walk all over you and have nothing to show for it other than your own anger and remorse. Man up, call him out and speak your mind, these guys have to learn that they can't get away with their behavior.
/rant
You can rant all you want, but it's not going to change things. My cockpit demeanor is splendid (at least I think so). And so should yours. Be professional even during less than ideal circumstances. Yes, the captain didn't "per se" do anything extraordinary to acquire the left seat, but neither did you. He at most just has more seniority than you do, but at the same time passed upgrade qualification and you haven't yet. No big. But you have a duty to the captain and your employer whether you like the man or not.
My point is, there is only one captain, and if he is being a jackass then speak up. Be tactful. But most won't, and sit and stew about it on an anonymous message board. But that won't help your cause. By all means, if there is a safety of flight issue, be professional, proactive, and speak up. But if its merely a personality issue, or you think you'd like things different, well thats just groovy -- too bad. If things get really unprofessional, then take it to pro-stans or deal with it like a man. That's your job.