I've been at Delta 17 years. I've flown with a few a-holes. If the captain isn't safe, the answer shouldn't be to put him / her on your no fly list so someone else has to fly with him / her. The answer is to address it through the CP or professional standards.

If the captain is just an a-hole*, I think of it as first officer responsibility to deal with it or upgrade.

*full disclosure - I'm an a-hole.

You're correct about one point: you shouldn't use your NFL in lieu of addressing an unsafe guy through proper channels. On the other hand, if you don't like someone's personality, I think you (as an FO) have the right to bypass a higher desirability trip, to avoid him, and I think that's fine.

As previously discussed, the NFL highlights BOTH trouble Captains AND First Officers.

I have no problem with the system as it stands now. I don't agree with Captains being able to avoid FO's, however. Maybe it's because I've never been in that situation at Delta, but I think it's the Captain's job to manage the crew. If the FO is a douche, fix him, or send him back to the shop for a tune-up.

After all, you're advocating for a very pro-active attitude by FO's faced with a problem. Why not the Captain?

Probably the best CRM lesson I've ever learned was ... just say "thank you" and fix it. "Thank you" or "Thanks" communicates a clear understanding and requires no debrief.

I do not know SWA's procedures. At Delta either pilot could have called the go around if it was unstable (enough to justify pulling the power at 100 feet flaps 40 to get down). Not that I've had to use it, but it's there ... .

Yep....that's reasonable.

Think 767-300 with the GE's ... not exactly the same, but the throttles close as the wheels touch if you do it right. (YMMV and mine usually does :o )

I think the Hermanator should be fired. The only person in my whole career that I wanted to punch in the nose. What a tool!!!!!

I used the same technique... with flaps 40, it comes out of the sky wherever you pull the power. As demonstrated so eloquently by WN.

That's how I do it. Works great. Chop too early, not good.

I'm at the 13+ point. I've never flown with anybody I would consider unsafe. A few guys that were new to the jet and needed a little help but certainly nothing major.

A-holes? MB one or two. My personal philosophy at my age is that "life's too short to have to fly with A-holes." If I get a trip with one, I drop it. If I see a slip in open time with one, I pass. If I see cool guys, I pick it up. 99% of the time, and that's really an amazing stat, it's a great professional experience.

I'm really impressed with the guys and girls Delta has hired. It's really an amazing cross section of talents, abilities and personalities. The NFL is a nice feature to enhance CRM. CAs, IMHO, should have the same access.

I agree with your sentiment about Delta people. In 17 years, probably only 5 rotations I would consider not wanting to do again due to personality conflict. Also, I've never flown with a Delta pilot I would hesitate to put my family onboard with (in regards to safety).

I've always been proud that I work with people that are willing to spend 8-16 hours together in a cockpit and then be willing to go out for dinner and drinks for another 3 or 4 (sometimes more).

Nice thing about working for Delta: I may have never met the next captain I'm going to fly with, but I pretty much know how it's going to go. And I'm looking forward to it.