Originally Posted by
captjns
Slinkydinkpilot... you are part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
No operation’s SOC, be it CFR 135, 121, 125, should send then crews on a trip without preparation for any trip... domestic or otherwise. Signed confirmation by the airlines’ ground handling and OCC departments should be provided to crews. Accountability, yes accountability is required when a trip starts going TU. Document, photograph, and video.
I know... it’s a rhetorical questions, but I ask anyway... Who owns OCC??? C/P up the ladder to the D/O. Let them earn their paychecks and resolve issues amongst the office personnel who which are responsible for sending crews on trips with proper working tools in their trip envelopes to make it work.
On occasions, crews must have their bag of tricks to sort out unforeseen issues that arise. This comes from training... from experienced crews who are, of course, objective.
Most contracted flying there’s ground handling information in our avdocs for NHL, HAP, ICE and Casino flying. The exception is adhoc which is published by ground services via email. So 90% of the info is there.
If it’s adhoc sometimes they forget to email you the stuff. Usually a quick email solves that. The biggest challenge is ensuring corporate security has sent in APIS and manifests correctly. Most of the time I’ve had no issues with it. Once in a while you might be waiting on a stamped gendec, especially when leaving the US.
For a 121 airline and i tell new guys is we are a lot like a 135 on steroids, as PIC you carry a lot of the power to operate and ensure everything is taken care of. Once in a while I have something that needs to be addressed, usually the only places I have issues is MIA, everyone there just moves or does things at the speed of smell. Basically don’t leave till you have what you need. That’s all there is to it.
We have departmental issues because we’ve exploded in size and the infrastructure has not kept up with what goes on on the line. That goes for OCC, crew scheduling, training etc. You find yourself being creative and solving problems yourself. Definitely not like a regional and mainline where you show up and you just fly and everything is done for you. Definitely not there yet and probably will never be there. Change happens way too fast around here.