Things I noticed when I was in IOE:

1. if it seems like the captain is pretty much flying you, that’s ok. It’s IOE. Easy to feel disheartened when the captain is constantly saying “if I were you, I’d ___”. That’s cool, learn all you can and take those tips with a “thank you”. It doesn’t mean you suck, you’re just new. (I had never flown a jet or an autopilot. Believe me I got a lot of ‘tips’)

2. Those easy level-vectors-to-final sim approaches are no more. You are much more ‘on your own’ for approach planning and getting to proper altitudes. Mind the cyan glideslope diamond from the ILS, even if you’re not using it yet. It’s a great cue to how you’re doing vertically. I personally never want to be above it especially if fast.

3. Make sure glideslope intercept happens. There are a million ways to screw it up (believe me I’ve screwed it up a million ways) but noticing it immediately will prevent an ugly catch-up. Pay attention to the FMA and be sure your next mode is armed. Know when it captures and how it will behave once it’s in GS mode. Scroll your MAP altitude once it’s in GS as a habit.

4. You may be used to clicking the PREV button to pull up a preview needle then setting the approach course. This is fine, BUT if you also brought up a preview needle while doing the departure brief (briefing an engine fail course), and you click the PREV button again while preparing for the approach, now you’re in LOC1, and you’ll get yellow needles at a bad time. So make sure you’re in LOC2 on the preview needle. Also if you get yellow needles, it’s not an emergency, correcting it will click the autopilot into ROLL (if you’re flying) so just reset it quickly (as you’ll probably be intercepting). Your captains have seen this and will help too.

5. Slowing or getting down - flaps 1 and boards is very effective. Flaps 2 is awkward because you can’t use boards and sometimes will have trouble slowing to flap 3 speed. It’s IOE, use the gear early or ask for advice. Don’t feel pressured to slow and configure at the last second because your captain does.

6. I came from a Cessna and thought you had to ‘catch the third wire’ with these things. Nope, you can flare all you want*. Make it smoothish at least

7. Mind load factor. If you’re closer to the low speed tapes, a turn will really make those low speed limits climb up the speed tape. Don’t be afraid to throw in Flaps 1 before making a turn, or during a turn. Be agressive if something isn’t doing what you want. Override the AP if you think nesseccary.

8. If you’re going to use boards, move the lever slowly. It grinds my gears flying with CAs that slap the lever out and let the plane lurch down. Someone in the back might be terrified of flying and there’s no reason to not fly as smooth as you can.

9. Descent planning and VNAV is very complex. Relentlessly ask your CAs about it. Learn all you can, they love to teach.

10. In IOE I kept finding these cups in the cup holders and removing them. No one told me the crime I was committing. Leave the cups!