Originally Posted by
927A
I have a followup question,
How much actual flying do the FOs get to do?
If you are talking about straight flight hours, as much as the captain on the run.
If you are asking how much hands on, as an FO on our flights you should be getting somewhere near 50% or more. An FO flying with me, for example, can take every leg if they want. Provided there isn't a company prohibition about it. For example, an FO can only do the take off or landing if the visibility is 1SM or greater.
Now, there have been cases in the past where certain captains didn't allow the FO to handle the controls. If this were to happen, the FO needs to talk with their regional Chief Pilot. Other than the E120, where an FO is required by the certification of the aircraft, we have FOs to enable them to get time to become our next captains. For that reason, we want them to handle the controls, fly approaches, do just about every aspect of the flight so that when they have enough hours to be a captain, they will be safe and professional in that capacity.