Originally Posted by
CALPilotToo
No, IROs are there as a required crewmember. This kind of statement is exactly why this profession is going downhill. You can't even respect those that are a necessary part of your crew. An IRO spends just as much time in the seat as an FO. Before I bid to CA I first bid high time turns as an FO and if I couldn't hold that I bid IRO. Same 11 hour turn and same pay. That is the part you don't get.
It is about days OFF and nothing more.
Well, since you are still ONLY an FO and if we fly together I'll just let you be a gear thrower. Because if an IRO is just a babysitter. Your nothing but a CAs puppet. Thank goodness I'm not either one of those anymore. Because in your eyes YOU and the IRO simply aren't needed. BTW, did you do the walk-a-round?
Of course they are a required crewmember, who said they were not? IRO's do not get to fly. No flows, no checklists, no takeoffs, no landings, no currency. I know about the pay and days off. That is not part of the discussion. I'm not sure why you are so upset? I'd rather fly as a pilot and not as an IRO. Many others think that way too. Many like to be IRO, and there are career IRO's. Good for them. I'm not saying they are worthless (read my posts). I never said or implied that I don't respect them. They are qualified pilots- typed in the plane. "In my eyes the FO and IRO are not needed". Wow, where did you get that one? A babysitter is a good description, they watch the plane while another crewmember takes a required FAA break. What would you call it? If you, as my CA, will only let me throw the gear- then I will not fly with you. The FAA requires a minimumTWO pilots and so does CAL. One of the reasons I prefer FO to IRO- is what I have been saying. I fly, the IRO does not. I don't know what you're reading into my posts, but please stop.