The rub is we are not talking about instruction which all of us agree some of our finest flexes are fo's who give instruction. We are talking about check rides where these new PCA's will be administering them to captains as well as first officers. The policy was done away with before because it caused hate and discontent. Now that there is an excess it just escalates the problem. It may be contractual but so is 4a2b which I don't think anyone is too crazy about these days. This good ole boy "throw bones" to guys is bs. Advertise the job for a captain the way the LCA system is intended and get someone who has the line experience and the clout to hold it. I am "standing in front of the mirror with my chest puffed out and my hat with scrambled eggs" on right now.

 

With our stellar MD-11 safety record, I'm more than a little surprised that the company is willing to press ANYTHING as regards MD-11 training. How do you think this looks to a Fed studying the MD operation?

PIPE

 

How dare you bark at me like some junkyard dog, I AM THE CAPTAIN OF A FEDEX JET!!

 

Exactly, now that is funny!

 

Part of the problem is some are confusing PCA and LCA. PCA is a flex, paid as a flex, scheduled as a flex. PCA does not check in the airplane. PCA isn't even the top certification for flexes.

FedEx has a big problem getting captains to apply for the flex jobs. There are postings open almost year round.

 

I know it is not the great deal it used to be. The pot should be sweetened so that the most experienced guys are attracted to these jobs. You get what you pay for is very true unfortunately. With our dismal safety record something needs to be done to at least show that we are making every effort to have the best training available. The 300 hour requirement in type for these jobs is a joke. You are barely off of high mins as a captain. Sitting over in the training building for 15 years and bumping someone to go to Orlando and back twice a month does not exactly keep you in touch with reality either. These guys need to be required to fly the line from time to time. The system is obviously broke otherwise captains would be flocking to apply for these jobs. Putting bandaids on the sucking chest wound by making fo's PCA's with captain authority is not the answer.