Originally Posted by FlyJSH

Howdy all,

I fly for a regional but wanted the insight of those with a few more gray hairs. I need advice with a touchy problem: I am flying with a CA who will NOT shut up. He talks continuously (non-flight related) from engine start to shut down. It is to the point I am missing radio calls and getting distracted during critical phases of flight. Ironically, during checklists, the one time I DO want him to speak up, he rifles through them so fast I have don't know when to reply or what I am replying to.

In my 40s, I am no spring chicken and have ten years 135 time; he is in his 30s at his first non CFI job. I have politely and privately asked him to go easy on the chatter when I am flying hoping he would curb the chatter. It worked for the next couple legs, but his old ways soon returned.

On one leg, we were empty and the FA came up to the jump seat to watch. My CA started listening to his iPod. He decided the FA needed to hear a couple songs, so he placed one of the ear buds against his mic. At the time, I was talking to center trying to keep us out of the worst weather and still make some time. Center gave us a choice of long and smooth or short and choppy. Had I been CA, I would have answered immediately, but as I was not PIC, I asked my CA for his preference. After not hearing the reply after two attempts, I yelled "Turn that G.. D... thing OFF!" A few minutes later, he asked me if the iPod really bothered me that much, "Yeah, when I can't hear a D... thing you are saying, it does."

So, I have another long trip with him. I do NOT want this to get hostile nor do I want it to affect my work. So what do you all suggest?

Thanks for the help,
j