The problem is, when Carl turns around and asks, "what are you doing, writing a book?" You can say yes. Which may indeed be true. :D

Ha sorry. I should've left it.

This is just me but I don't trust anybody, so when somebody sits in my (Captains) jumpseat I treat them like they're a Fed. Not a Ferd, a Fed.

A Ferd is a totally different thing.

Yes, a Ferd is not a Fed, and no Fed could be a Ferd. :D

I agree. But the people writing books about Carl in the JS aside, as that is something completely different, but in my view flying by the book does two things:

1) it makes everything easier for the guy next to you,

2) when you're sitting at the mahogony table I don't want this said about me, as it was in a recent crash:

The flight crewmembers' nonpertinent conversation during the taxi, which was not in compliance with Federal regulations and company policy, likely contributed to...

The flight crew's noncompliance with standard operating procedures, including the... abbreviated taxi briefing and both pilots' nonpertinent conversation, most likely created an atmosphere in the cockpit that enabled the crew's errors.

And I sure as heck don't want the nonpertinent conversation posted for the world to see, especially my family and especially my daughter.

Now, on the flip side, its vital the book remain practical, concise and clear. And when its not that is again another issue especially with NWA folks.

Nicely played. :D

Just trying to inject a little humor into this whole spy discussion.

It would deeply sadden me if there is any truth to the allegations made about jumpseaters secretly reporting "dirt" on fellow pilots. I don't know about NWA's history but I've been around the widget for going on 20 years now and to my knowledge that sort of thing has never been part of the culture here at Delta. Quite the opposite. We've certainly had differences about labor relations, union politics and contract stuff, but when it comes to flying the jets - pilots from the top down have always had each others' back around here.

I think Flt Ops put those ride-along guys on the new routes in an effort to be helpful and enhance safety. Nothing sinister. They were looking at legitimate operational issues and not running back to HQ tattling on guys for petty crap like not wearing their hats, forgetting the mask when the other guy hits the lav or working a crossword puzzle in mid-ocean.

The flight attendants write each other up for petty bull****, the pilots --- never.

I want to preserve that culture. I don't want to work in a place where there's the level of mistrust and suspicion that I'm hearing today. I hope the reps and the management pilots will answer all the questions and put this spy business to rest. Pronto.

Check;
Amen. We need to keep that culture of having each others' backs.

I'll join I think everyone on this one, preserve that culture. I would think/hope after reading the FLTOPS Trim Tab and Weekly Update that this was a part of that program.

And let me play devils advocate here. I'd write a ton too if I was given an instructional job and part of the process was evaluating somebody that knew what they were doing. If training gave me a job to observe on behalf of all of the ATL 88 pilots a crew flying a 90 in and out of SNA or RNO, I'd be writing a ton- and a lot of that may be during critical phases of flight where it would rightly feel to the pilots like I'm writing dirt.

The issue is, do you tell them? I think I'd say this: "hey Carl, Ferd, I just want you to know I'm going to be writing a lot back here. Some of its going to just be me doodling. Some of its going to be about this theatre. Some about this airplane. Some about this airplane in this theatre. If you want to read my notes or add something, feel free. But whatever you do, run this cockpit like you always do because I need to see what works for you. Maybe you do something we never thought of and need to look into copying. I don't know but if you don't do what you always do you're not doing anybody any favors- and ignore my doodling or my drooling."

FtB;
That is the brief that you get every time they do these quality control rides. Every time.

That would be cool. Maybe you have.

Carl