Originally Posted by
BMEP100
Have you tried having an adult discussion with the captain, in neutral setting? There is good chance he hasn't heard directly from his first officers in this manner. Most people try to avoid any direct confrontation, and just move on and use the avoid-with strategy. You are not helping anyone by doing that.
Many years ago I flew with one such captain on the DC-9. He was a big, body builder and came across as being intimidating before he even opened his mouth.
A few minutes into our talk, he broke down and told me no one ever talked to him like that. He really did not even realize why the flight attendants did not like him either. He did improve and actually put himself in counselling. ( which unfortunately he had to tell me all about whenever I flew with or saw him).
When I "told" him we needed to have a discussion, he first took it as a challenge to his authority. I explained that if we didn't, I would take myself off the trip. That worked.
Remember too that us captains have no way to bid around first officers. There is one that I told to put me on his "avoid" list. Haven't flown with him since- although flying with his wife was quite pleasant.
The purpose of Pro-Stans is to mediate these problems by having a conversation with both parties and eventually bringing them together in a conversation with Pro-stans being a neutral party and thus the conversation is solution driven. Pro-Stans should be analyzing these "do-not-fly-with Captains. Determining who these Captains are who continually show up these lists and make a preemptive "strike" by making a call and asking the Captain why they are so popular on the do-not-fly list. A phone call may give notice that the Captain needs to self-evaluate their behavior with regard to their crew environment. Then, when an FO says that "we need to have a conversation"; the Captain will know that he needs to change. I always say a leopard never changes his spots but you never know.
I would be mortified to know if I was on some FO's do-not-fly list but chances are good that I have surely angered somebody along the way and have made the list. I'm hoping it is a very short list