Timbo,

I know you know this already but there is a difference between an SLI and an AQFO or whatever they want to call them. I have never seen an AQFO have any authority to give a Captain a jeopardy event. SLI's do it all the time in the training center.

AQFOs were/are nothing more than "seeing eye" guides to a special qual airport or theater. They have/had no LCA responsibilities whatsoever other than to "sign off" the Captain's entry/exit. They were/are there simply to ensure the Capt had an experienced F/O to enter/exit the SAQ airport and/or theater as well as point out procedures, techniques and tips for that entry/exit - basically a real world "400 series" ride.

As far as the LVP program, it seems like it is a better deal for all the Captains on new hire equipment b/c now you don't have to worry about a jeopardy event when the LCA shows up for an F/O's mid-phase eval. LVPs, like AQFOs, are not LCA and therefore not able to "evaluate" the Captain and put him in jeopardy.

As for the "status quo" issue, pretty sure that grievence would be a waste of our dues money seeing as a mid-phase eval is a company concept rather than a contractually recognized event.

Happy Holidays....

It is interesting how this change is being spun here as a "good deal."

Replacing higher paying flight hours with lower paying hours IN THE MIDDLE OF SECTION 6 is a foul.

Why would you give up a concession for a concession we voted down?

I agree, I thought he was asking if we had FO SLI's who could give a sim 'Check', because he used the word Check. Where as an AQFO is not ever giving a line check, but is just providing information on a specific route, we call them seeing eye dogs.

With this new program, what exactly is a 'validation' ride, and as mentioned above, why would we want it done by FO's instead of Captains, especially if it means less Captains required?

Why not just remove the CA from the trip and have the LCA fly with the probie?

I seem to recall "in the old days," there was no mid-phase "check" given on the line, it was administered in the sim. If you went to a different seat sometime in your first year (i.e., 727C--> 727 B), that training eval counted. This relatively new "mid-phase" program seems better for all involved and the use of an AQFO/LVP is better for Captains because it ensures it is a validation of the F/O and not a checkride for all.

What do you say when the company wants to move LVPs into the role of line checks similar to what goes on in the sim...will it be another company concept change?

There's a valid reason LCPs are As and not Bs. Think about it.

True a new hire can apply for the program, but it does not mean they will get the job. There is a vetting process to choose who can be a AQFO. I would say a new hire would not make the cut.