Originally Posted by
notEnuf
I gotta disagree. I think he's saying if it is within the limits Delta sets forth personal operating style is OK. Maybe a technique is just that, technique. Captains have all been FO's too. My guess is they were adaptable and not set in a rigid mode of operation. I admire another pilot who is willing and confident enough in his/her own abilities to operate in a safe manner other than their preferred comfort zone and allows others the same latitude.
Frankly, it shows skill and mastery of their craft and the operational parameters. Almost everyone here commanded an aircraft for some length of time and did it successfully enough to warrant achieving the pinnacle career position. Many of those same folks were LCAs or sim instructors which required skills to teach and evaluate. In the LCA example, they needed to know the whole job from both seats and be comfortable and confident enough to change seats mid trip and also instruct any range of students abilities and responsibilities. The few FOs that may not have prior PIC time obviously impressed a hiring board of their skills and abilities, which given the disadvantage of not already being captain seems even more impressive.
We are all highly skilled and we are all equally human, capable of human error. The fact that I have a tremendous resource sitting beside me gives me great pride, confidence and humility.
That isn't what he said. Maybe he should clarify his comments. I agree with what you said above. We ARE all highly skilled at what we do and are all capable of human error. Part of my briefing with any crew members is "if you see me doing something you don't understand or that I'm doing wrong, please speak up. I'd rather talk to you both (3 pilot crew) and iron things out than anyone else!"
My point is we all adapt to the situations we find ourselves in on each flight and that includes with whom we are flying.
I agree with the comment that being a Captain is the result of seniority and bidding the position. But it IS the position of authority on a flight and any FO that cannot adapt and deal with the Captain they are flying with should bid Captain as soon as s/he can. That way you always get to fly with your favorite ***hole in charge!
If the Captain is that hard to deal with then maybe s/he should be reported to professional standards.
When I was an FO many moons ago I got displaced off the 767 and went back to the MD88. I was in training with 3 other FO's that were senior to me and MD'd too. One time in class they were talking about this Captain and beyotching about him. They really did not like flying with him. Funny thing, I'd flown with him too and didn't have the same impression they did why? Because I ADAPTED to the personality of the guy I was flying with. Maybe it's just me and my personality but I've never flown with a pilot at Delta in either seat that I wouldn't fly with again. Everyone has their quirks. As an FO I always felt it was my job to make the Captains job easier any way I could.
Denny