Originally Posted by
hemi340
As an up and coming aviator, I am interested to learn from others experiences. If I don’t have to make all the same mistakes as someone else, I will be happy. What are some of the things current captains wish their new first officers knew? What do you wish you had known before your first airline pilot job? What are current pilots lacking when they get to the airlines that should be remedied?
show up prepared. As the FO, during your preflight, added tasks like looking up radio frequencies or ops/maintenance frequencies and reading any company briefing charts about general operations in/out of whatever airport we are at. Typically (not always) the captain knows, so it’s best to be on the same page as they are when it comes time to push and go.
don’t get overwhelmed in the box and be completely heads down. Slow and correct is better than fast and mis-typing and having to start over.
be a team player. You’re not in charge, but you’re sure as hell on the team, so speak up when anything doesn’t sound or look right. Even if you think it’s a dumb question, ask it. The captain very likely may have made a mistake.