Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

As junior, nobody, FO, I expect to get garbage bags and walk arounds. In Atlanta on the Boeings, I'd guess CA's get 10% of the walk around inspections, unless it is a LCA. They usually do 50%.

But what is annoying is getting back in from the Post Flight, shutting down the APU and securing the jet, grabbing my crap and walking out of the jetway to find a huddle of flight attendants and a Captain all asking if I've called the hotel van. ... I turn on the phone, wait for it to load its version of linux, find a signal and start diffing out my rotation while trying to move fast enough that the rest of the crew doesn't stop and begin complaining (for FA's anything from 1/2 a degree temp change from the jet to jetway, to any percieved slight by a passenger or another FA is reason for a tirade ... I don't like being the recipient of their wrath).

Eventually I get the call in to Cheapocrewtransport, or the front desk of the Sherd-I-don'tgiveacrap'ton to tell them our flight number three times and wait to hear, "they'll be there in a minute" and clarify whether a "minute" is "now," "fifteen minutes" or, "I really have no clue."

It is annoying as hell. ... Am I just doing it wrong?

When I was a Captain I used to call the hotel so as to not cut into our beer break / rest. But here, no, huh, huh. First trip off of IOE, I thought the Captains were trying to hook up, but the target selection quickly disavowed the rational man of that notion. Then I thought it was perhaps the Boss was trying to be polite. I am now beginning to think after a day of hearing my genius level pontifications on scope that talking with a group of folks about feline menopause really is mesmerizing.

Originally Posted by buzzpat

There's only one guy on the 73 in LA that won't do the walk arounds. He doesn't buy drinks or dinner either. Since we have 60 CAs I guess that means he's our .0167%. You'll see his name most often in open time.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

I should ask. I have no problem asking. No fear.

FTB: "Hi, my name is Carl Spackler and I have a question for anyone who would like to answer it..."

Originally Posted by acl65pilot

See Bar, I call the van first, tell the Capt and Purser I have done that, and then do my post flight. If they leave the jet without me that is fine, but generally I am still waiting on the last few passengers. Why sweat the small stuff. I do not expect my Capt's to do my job and then I am never disappointed.

FWIW, only had three capt's in the last five years buy dinner. I was taken by surprise every time it happened, and was honestly thankful for the gesture.

Originally Posted by Jughead

Maybe times have changed, but when I was an F/O, the number of Captains that shared the walk-around could be counted on one hand. Dinner? Uh, no. Not sure I remember that at all. The occasional beer was most appreciated.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

When someone asks me if I've called the van my answer is "nope." Followed by, "give me a second I'll call em'." Nobody has ever told me I'm supposed to call.

Most FAs call for themselves just assuming they're off to a different hotel.

As to Bar's comments......do... cats.... do cats really have menopause? How can you tell the difference from their normal eratic behavior?



Nothin's changed.

Honestly, 8 or so out of 10 times I just want to be left alone on an overnight. Slam clicker? Yep. It's only taken 12 years to make me that way. It's cheaper and easier that way.

Well except for 2 years as a corporate pilot. We had the boss' credit card, we had a blast with that thing.

Originally Posted by Jesse

Call the van? I'm probably in the 5%, but I rarely call except for the layovers I know don't start rolling until you ring them. As for the ATL MD captains, my experience is about 50% share in the walk arounds, but that's 50% more than I expect. I look at it as my responsibility and am not miffed in the least if the captain doesn't do them. The 50% also applies to beer purchases (that could be due to being a reserve guy, if you know what I mean), but when I get sent to cover CVG trips that number jumps to 100%.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot

Wrt to the FA's, I ask them if they are going to the layo. If they are, I ask what hotel. If it is the same, I tell em I will call. I call as soon as we are complete and out of the flight deck (out of view of pax) and tell em 10-15. Why sweat it?

Slam clicking works well. I need the time to do my business stuff and sleep. Dinner is always fun, but in conus I generally just chill.