Originally Posted by Adlerdriver

I'd be willing to cut some slack if the problem on this line check had been unique to class-2 nav procedures or flying in the NAT tracks (in light of the flawed IOE scheduling you pointed out). However, this was a basic situation anyone could have encountered over the U.S. ATC tells you to cross a point at an altitude. Automation is nice but you need to make sure the jet does what it is supposed to do.

One other pet peeve. I'm continually amazed at the guys in the left seat of the MD-11 who choose to fly around with their hands in their lap with the AP on. We're below 3K' getting vectored to final or actually on final and they're still closer to jacking off than flying the jet. Good grief!! It sure would be nice if they even pretended to be flying the jet instead of along for the ride. Good night all - maybe I'll be in a better mood tomorrow - !hic!