Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
I understand that some pilots have few experiences in aviation before reaching the multi-crew environment and as such probably have a different opinion of the position. As a young person who's first real flying job is as an FO I am sure that they are able to feel some kind of respect for the position since they don't know anything else.
At best a First Officer is a voice activated autopilot that is there to gain experience through silent observation. No one wants the FO's opinion. The FO does not sign any legal documents in relation to the flight. The FO does not give Captain evaluations and are rarely held liable when something goes wrong. They are hardly even there and can be found mostly as a silent and nearly invisible shadow to the captain.
SkyHigh
I think my captain valued my opinion two weeks ago when I stopped him from turning down the wrong taxiway in LGA. I guess I should have just stayed silent and observed how to get written up since that's all I really do but I thought I would be a rebel and give the captain a little advice from the human autopilot. Back to being silent....