Originally Posted by
Voski
What is your greatest piece of advice for first time Captain upgrades at United?
United has thousands of highly experienced pilots retiring in the years ahead. With new hires likely soon to be on an accelerated track to the left seat, now more than ever, mentorship and transfer of knowledge is critical.
For those that have United Captain experience, what is some advice you’d give to someone now upgrading? Something you wish you’d have been more prepared for or someone would have told you before moving to the left seat?
I’m not confident there won’t be thread drift and infighting about the TA, but maybe there could be some nuggets of solid info here for junior pilots aspiring for the left seat.
just relax. Never rush. The plane isn’t going to leave any faster with you standing in the jet bridge or swimming up stream to get to the flight deck. Set the plane up the same way everytime, verify everything even if you will be late. You moving at a methodical pace will slow down the person next to you who is stressed out because the last CA was always in a rush.
as someone said you get paid by the minute, you don’t like the way something looks stop and fix it. If you don’t think you can get by the DL jet parked in the pad in BOS then stop and wait tell they move. If the thunderstorm looks to close ask to wait somewhere before you depart……no one is judging your GOOD decision.
The biggest thing is that now that you are in the left seat don’t just assume the FO has no clue how to fly an airplane. If they are fast give them a minute to fix it….if they are behind give them a minute to catch up. If they are not fixing it offer a suggestion…..”flaps 15 is available”. Go arounds are free call em if you need them.
Always learn something. Iv been flying Boeing FMCs for 10 years and my FO taught me something I never new on my last trip.
most importantly RELAX and take care of your crew and passengers.