This exchange was very interesting. 1067... are you saying that it is impossible for 2 guys that have never flown across the tracks to be paired up? It COULD easily happen. And they don't have to be regional guys either. There are military guys that have never flown over the ocean either. And while I get your technical point, TOE doesn't count.

And your contention that it isn't rocket science while somewhat true, is misleading. It is an environment that is challenging because of the requirements of 3 different theatres, and there is a very real potential to get violated (or worse) if those procedures are not adhered to. Additionally, our technology has advanced pretty rapidly, and there are captains that have been flying for years that are getting back to trans Atlantic flying that do not even recognize it as the same animal it was when they went on TOE. CPDLC conditional clearances are a real concern, and there is real potential for violation there. Track changes and other such items that arise via CPDLC are not as easy/obvious as you make them out to be. Take a newhire and put him/her in that same position. Got TOE, and then flew domestic 75 trips for a year or two, then they get a CDG trip. Yeah, not rocket surgery to you because you do it all the time, but to them... and they can easily get paired with another newbie for that Christmas trip... and there is legitimate reason for caution and trepidation on the part of that captain that is getting HIS first transAtlantic trip in awhile over Christmas. I have that T shirt.

I think you forgot what it was like your first time going across.....