Originally Posted by
Approach1260
Well at least at PSA the absolute most Senior FO you'll fly with as a Captain will be right about 2 years. That's about the maximum time you can avoid the forced Senior Upgrade.
So the times of having an experienced FO in the right seat to catch a new Captains mistakes are well and truly over.
I've been on property for 3 years and that puts me in the top third of the company which is nuts when you think about it. I make sure to tell all my FO's to absolutely speak up and we'll help keep each other out of trouble. I know other new Captains though who like to lord their four bars over the new guys, and they convince these FO's to just sit there and shut up.
I understand you were probably trying to just say two years is about the longest you’ll sit in the right seat before transitions to the left.. however, being able to catch mistakes and be a good crew member in an operational and professional capacity is another matter NOT relating to just having to have 2 years before it’s acknowledged. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to tell the captain “we now need a T/O Alternate” , “we can’t descend like that in Canada, watch the altitude at XXX fix”, “Hey don’t you think we need to ask dispatch for a new alternate because I know you acknowledged it but it’s below the derived minimums”, “That runway is closed on the NOTAM when we get there”... I’m just saying I hate this type of statement because I’ve been very helpful some days and the captains appreciate it a lot when that’s the case I’ve found. I’m a one year FO at the airline, but my background also is in science and engineering so it’s the details that do matter and I believe in stayin engaged to the situations that are at hand... it’s not just “Captain *******” when dealing with a release or decision making, some FOs will say that but I think there are more than a few that strive for a more professional stance.
Happy Flying.