Spirit requires us to verbalize every single FMA (for Boeing guys, the changes in auto-thrust, vertical, and horizontal guidance that appear on the top of the PFD of the Airbus). There are a lot of FMA changes (every time the power goes to idle, changes from speed hold to mach hold, 2-3 call outs every time you level off, etc.)

While it is helpful as a brand new Airbus guy to understand what the plane is doing, after the first 2 months, it becomes nauseating.

Am I the TOTD for doing it, or is the group of guys who are 'too cool' to make required call outs the TOTD?

I guess we both are.

 

Verbal confirmation for FMC/MCP operation is SOP. FP aks for, let's say Engine Anti Ice One... MP confirms Anti Ice On... also SOP for my current and previous carrier.

 

While I do agree with your view, vebalizing has now worked it's way into SOP... PITA, yes, but now they want you to verbalize all changes to the Flight mode annunciator, at least where I work.

Now...what about the Tool Capt, who has to touch every single switch while the F/O reads the before start ckecklist? He's not moving the switch mind you, everything is done, but his hand is up on the overhead touching every switch, as the F/O reads the list...oh, and really I love it when he slams his hand down on the throttles (thrust levers) and shouts: "Idle"!

Brilliant! You sure showed them who's boss! I'm waiting for the day the knobs just snap off!

I jumpseat to/from work, so I get to see this once in a while, luckily not too often, but still...give it a rest man! Can you not just use your eyeballs to see that the switches are in the correct possitions?

 

I <3 zebra pens.

 

Equally as much of a TOTD is the CA who doesn't even look at the items they are verifying on the checklist!

If FMA callouts are required, then you've got to do them. Calling all of them is very junior high, but if that's required, well that's what you've got to do.

At DL we used to have to call every mode change on an autoland. I'm sure glad we got away from that!

 

The Captain that is always one step ahead of the checklist items and touching the the next switch on the list before it is read distracts me. I am actually trying to visually verify switch position without touching them all and the fact that you are constantly one step ahead of the list as it is read is extremely distracting to me trying to do my portion of the job.

 

I once flew with a Captain Germophobe!

We had a long layover in CVG, downtown, got in about 5pm on a Sunday. There's a sports pub a block from our hotel, I say, "Hey, want to go get some grub and watch a football game?"

He says, "Nah...I've got some stuff to do so I'll be in my room..." Now, this was way before laptops and cellphones, so I'm wondering what's he got to do? But I went and ate, watched a game, got a good night's sleep.

The next morning we're in the cockpit preflighting, he reaches into his bag and pulls out a bottle of Lysol or Mr. Clean or somehing...and a rag! Then he procedes to wipe down the yoke, the thrust levers, and every knob, switch, lever and handle. Everything he might touch in the cockpit got a good scrubbing, to include the overhead switches, oh, and of course his oxygen mask. And if you've dealt with the 757 O2 mask, you know what a PITA it is to stow when done, but that didn't slow him down.

I'm getting the ATIS, watching the show, but I don't mention I think he's nutz. Later in cruise I asked, "So, did you see any of that game last night?"

He said, "No, I went next door to Wallgreens and bought the disinfectant, then I cleaned my bathtub..."

No joke.

 

Some of this seems a bit over the top, but have you ever touched a greasy or crusty yoke and or thrust levers. I'm no germophobe, but I do the occasional wipe down as well.

 

^Call it what you want...just sayin.

 

Saw a hot chick pilot hanging out in the Customs exit at IAH....she was in FULL UNIFORM and I noticed the B787 and B737 stickers all over her flight bag....then noticed she was with ASA.

She was going to Starbucks so I guess there are no others but only in the Intl arrival area?

Not really a tool....just had to laugh at a young chick that had all big boeing stickers all over her bag!