AA Interviews
01-01-2026 | 09:43 AM
#131
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 323
Likes: 211
I’ve seen more gear down flaps 15 at 6000’ from new hires than senior captains when I was an FO.
But I blame the training department more than them. They get programmed to do that in the sim world in a controlled environment where they are in a position where glidepath at roughly 1 dot to drop the gear and go flaps 15 makes sense. Or discouraged to use or not shown flaps 10 is usually more than enough to hold 170-180 knots while descending down on the path when flaps 5 can’t hold it so they drop the gear and flaps 15 it instead at 5000’.
But I blame the training department more than them. They get programmed to do that in the sim world in a controlled environment where they are in a position where glidepath at roughly 1 dot to drop the gear and go flaps 15 makes sense. Or discouraged to use or not shown flaps 10 is usually more than enough to hold 170-180 knots while descending down on the path when flaps 5 can’t hold it so they drop the gear and flaps 15 it instead at 5000’.
01-01-2026 | 11:48 AM
#132
Not a fed just going home
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 122
Likes: 61
I know guys that have been flying jets for over a decade but based on company circumstances never got to the left seat. Should we keep him out because he worked at companies without movement?
I understand the concern for inexperienced people getting on though. Maybe we find a middle ground. Tougher training, stricter standards for new hires, fly a trip with a ckp before end of probation and shown the door if not up to it?
There's no perfect answer but arbitrarily placing a PIC requirement, college degree, or anything else is imperfect. At least this extends your "interview" to a full year of actually working and we can part ways if you're an idiot, duschebag, or post your paystub on social media.
I understand the concern for inexperienced people getting on though. Maybe we find a middle ground. Tougher training, stricter standards for new hires, fly a trip with a ckp before end of probation and shown the door if not up to it?
There's no perfect answer but arbitrarily placing a PIC requirement, college degree, or anything else is imperfect. At least this extends your "interview" to a full year of actually working and we can part ways if you're an idiot, duschebag, or post your paystub on social media.
01-01-2026 | 06:03 PM
#133
Codeshare the pain away
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 311
Likes: 159
From: one DUI away from running the airline
This is a tired old argument. Just like the military vs not.
I’ve seen guys with 0 TPIC and 1501 total time fly an awesome jet, and I’ve seen guys with 10,000 hours 121 PIC do dumb sh!t. I’ve seen guys as a brand new PIC do dumb sh!t and I’ve seen brand new CA/FO save their partner from the mercy of FOQA and ASAP.
There isn’t really a quantifiable requirement you can put on paper that is 100% whether or not someone will be a good pilot or not. What does make or break them though is whether they are trainable, have a good attitude, and you don’t want to stab or report them after a 4 day trip.
I’ve seen guys with 0 TPIC and 1501 total time fly an awesome jet, and I’ve seen guys with 10,000 hours 121 PIC do dumb sh!t. I’ve seen guys as a brand new PIC do dumb sh!t and I’ve seen brand new CA/FO save their partner from the mercy of FOQA and ASAP.
There isn’t really a quantifiable requirement you can put on paper that is 100% whether or not someone will be a good pilot or not. What does make or break them though is whether they are trainable, have a good attitude, and you don’t want to stab or report them after a 4 day trip.
01-01-2026 | 09:02 PM
#134
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 542
Likes: 72
01-02-2026 | 04:46 AM
#136
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 370
Likes: 62
Very true. The 787 Check Pilot cadre has many former management/union officials. Many have never flown the airplane and are made check pilots. Cross your fingers they let you know what you need to know. A while back we had some that had never used HF radios. It is a boys club.
so many are about to retire. It will get worse. What they need to do is implement the new contract provision where the student is trained by the line pilot. Odds are that Pilot will have tons more experience than the pilot that does simulator training and OE. This will also decrease the number of blocked for OE trips. For myself I would consider that job. I have no desire to teach in the simulator. I also refuse to kiss a$$ to get the job.
so many are about to retire. It will get worse. What they need to do is implement the new contract provision where the student is trained by the line pilot. Odds are that Pilot will have tons more experience than the pilot that does simulator training and OE. This will also decrease the number of blocked for OE trips. For myself I would consider that job. I have no desire to teach in the simulator. I also refuse to kiss a$$ to get the job.
01-02-2026 | 08:16 AM
#138
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,839
Likes: 279
Very true. The 787 Check Pilot cadre has many former management/union officials. Many have never flown the airplane and are made check pilots. Cross your fingers they let you know what you need to know. A while back we had some that had never used HF radios. It is a boys club.
so many are about to retire. It will get worse. What they need to do is implement the new contract provision where the student is trained by the line pilot. Odds are that Pilot will have tons more experience than the pilot that does simulator training and OE. This will also decrease the number of blocked for OE trips. For myself I would consider that job. I have no desire to teach in the simulator. I also refuse to kiss a$$ to get the job.
so many are about to retire. It will get worse. What they need to do is implement the new contract provision where the student is trained by the line pilot. Odds are that Pilot will have tons more experience than the pilot that does simulator training and OE. This will also decrease the number of blocked for OE trips. For myself I would consider that job. I have no desire to teach in the simulator. I also refuse to kiss a$$ to get the job.
01-02-2026 | 10:16 AM
#139
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 323
Likes: 211
Is it true that a specific post-merger hire, who previously held a position of influence and has since left position, is now a 777 Check Airman?
It's disgusting a cka who probably couldn't hold a certain trip as an fo is now doing captain IOE on said trip. Absolutely disgusting that apa just sits back and allows it because it also helps their good old boy system.
What's even worse is that there are fewer CKA positions because of the new contract and the FO instructors. Consequently, those with actual expertise are relegated to the less desirable work (sim training), while these new CKAs get the best perks of a job that is in decline.
What's even worse is that there are fewer CKA positions because of the new contract and the FO instructors. Consequently, those with actual expertise are relegated to the less desirable work (sim training), while these new CKAs get the best perks of a job that is in decline.
01-02-2026 | 10:28 AM
#140
On Reserve
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 127
Likes: 10
From: B737 CA
I’ve seen more gear down flaps 15 at 6000’ from new hires than senior captains when I was an FO.
But I blame the training department more than them. They get programmed to do that in the sim world in a controlled environment where they are in a position where glidepath at roughly 1 dot to drop the gear and go flaps 15 makes sense. Or discouraged to use or not shown flaps 10 is usually more than enough to hold 170-180 knots while descending down on the path when flaps 5 can’t hold it so they drop the gear and flaps 15 it instead at 5000’.
But I blame the training department more than them. They get programmed to do that in the sim world in a controlled environment where they are in a position where glidepath at roughly 1 dot to drop the gear and go flaps 15 makes sense. Or discouraged to use or not shown flaps 10 is usually more than enough to hold 170-180 knots while descending down on the path when flaps 5 can’t hold it so they drop the gear and flaps 15 it instead at 5000’.
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