Okay. I'm still not seeing the problem and don't understand this comment (below):

Don't wait until the FAs arm the slides and the pits to be closed. Brief the departure well before that so you're ready when the FAs and rampers are done. When you get to that item on the checklist, you say "complete" and move on with the push.

Or do you have to actually brief the departure as you read the item on the checklist? :confused:

Without getting into a checklist ****ing contest. There are 2 checklists at my airline. One is involved and take some time and should be done well ahead of push. The other has three items making sure you are safe to release the parking brakes and go. They are separate for good reason.

Starting engines is on captain’s command and requires no checklist.

Tool of the day:

The FA who spends all day talking about how customers just need to suck it up and deal with the fact that we're 30+ minutes late but then throws a hissy-fit when the hotel van is 5 minutes late.

Also me for complaining about a guy blinding us with his strobes taking the runway and subsequently forgetting to turn ours off after crossing a runway.

I remember parking at the gate, noticing the “pop-pop” of some Airbus strobes, and silently chastising the tool next to us that left them on all the way to the gate. I also remember eventually realizing the tool next to us didn’t leave his strobes on. The tool was , well, evident at that point.

Best totd post:D

TOTD: Captains who do your FO duties to "help you out". No man.. you're not helping me out, you're confusing me and messing with my flow.

(I am not talking about doing an FO duty that you missed, I'm talking about them jumping in trying to do both sides of everything)

Yeah, in the end it doesn’t really save me much time or effort as I got to check anyway, but I always appreciate the offer and the spirit in which it is made. Wouldn’t say it is toolish at all.

I nominate the Skywest crew who wanted ATC to give them another transponder code after being given 6667 today, since it must make Jesus angry or something.

The controller who subsequently gave them 6660 (after explaining that was the only other unassigned one he could get) gets nominated for the "anti tool of the day".

Please tell me you’re joking......

Those guys seem to only do it about 1/2 the time too.