Originally Posted by
Jetjok
That's very interesting. If I weren't already retired I'd most certainly apply for one of those captain positions. I mean, why bother with doing the right seat thing, when you can just go directly to the left seat. At the three airlines I had the pleasure of flying for throughout my career, I always sat in the back until I could sit in the right seat, where I observed how to operate the airplane. Then, when I moved to the left seat, I used what I had learned by watching the captains operate, as well as what I was taught in upgrade training, to operate the jet the way the company wanted me to.
I can say that the vast majority of Captains I flew with needed very little, if any, advice from me as to how to operate the aircraft, but I'm sure you're a much superior pilot, and as such have a ton of wonderful knowledge to impart. Ever think of joining the training department and giving up this flying stuff?
No I haven't. Nor will I. The bottom line is this: I'm not implying that I am a superior pilot in any way, but I am stating in no uncertain terms that as this being my fourth airline, the average SW pilot flies the roughest, the most inefficient, and the least standardized (callouts especially....or lack thereof) of my personal experience. There, does that ruffle your feathers?
They have a reputation for operating the airplane like cowboys. Fortunately it's not as bad as what it once was from what I'm told, but it's still there. Truth hurts I guess.