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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sink r8 (Post 1308617)

They sweat a while, but some of them take it real well, for a while. They take on the role of the subservient FO, which is just winding the douche-bag Captain spring inside. Beware of the FO that's sweating profusely with a weird nasty grin isntead of a smile.

I think doucheness is a personality trait, and so deeply engrained that a brief sentence as a FO won't cure the itch, just make them more agressive. Just look at some of the super-senior guys you might fly with. The real young guys that were quick upgrades can be either apreciative of their good fortune, or total entitled pricks that feel no pain but their own. Either way, their fast advancement becomes a personality mutliplier.

This is where the length of the mainline FO position becomes critical. You can only fight your own nature so long. I assume this is why we at Delta like to not upgrade right now. By the time you finally get there, you're a super nice guy (or you just snapped, or you dropped from a coronary event in your tenth year). At upgrade, I assume you're so worn out you don't even have the energy to be an [deleted] anymore.

Throw in a little furlough for character development... Say, I must be one hell of a nice guy!:)

Good post. I think the longer time as FO, especially on furlough, the less chance of ending up being a D'bag CA. That's why the previously mentioned guys, Jethead and Les Abend, fall in that category because they were lucky enough to be picked up at AA in their mid 20s and upgraded to Captain in 5 years, and have been since 31 yrs of age. Not enough time to develop some humbleness and know what it's like to be in the right seat for more than a half decade. Current AA pilots have 20 year upgrades.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNL76 (Post 1308680)

Oh, silly boy----everyone knows girls don't fart! :)

But they're often next to a dog that does.

Airline Captains, toolbox or not, are in that seat because their seniority can hold it. Nothing else! Some guys just need to check their egos at the door.

(Notwithstanding a few rogue captains out there):
Airline FO's, like captains, need to embrace their place in the world, and when the left seat becomes available, bid it. Until then, ***** and moan all you want, but its better to find out what your left seat pilots' weakness is (i.e. boating, surfing, fishing, skiing, etc) and exploit it. You'll get a smoother trip if you suck it up just a bit during the first flight and make some headway with some thoughtful inquiries about who your flying with during cruise. You never know, you might be free-lancing the airplane and hoisting up cold ones at the bar later (his tab) before you know it. It's a better strategy than playing the hard line "you can't push me around" attitude that will make for a long trip. Read the book "how to win friends and influence people".

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandlapper223 (Post 1308987)

suck it up just a bit during the first flight and make some headway with some thoughtful inquiries about who your flying with during cruise.........It's a better strategy than playing the hard line "you can't push me around" attitude that will make for a long trip. Read the book "how to win friends and influence people".

OK, I'll bite. Who would want to "win" the friendship of or "sway" the influence of a douche bag pilot in the first place? Pretending to be his friend just to make things more bearable makes it even worse. Life is too short to suck up to these guys like some soulless sycophant. If you're doing it to "further your career," ask yourself if you really think such a douche bag is liked by other people out there in the industry?

I'm not saying to play hard ball with this guy and get into an argument or anything that could compromise safety. But if the other guy is being a douche bag and you just let it "slide" thinking you're the "bigger man," then you just let him walk all over you and have nothing to show for it other than your own anger and remorse. Man up, call him out and speak your mind, these guys have to learn that they can't get away with their behavior.

/rant :cool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chow (Post 1299192)

I've been deadheading a lot in the last few days. My TOTD goes every pax that asked me "aren't you supposed to be up front"?

LMTFA

I get that too. I usually tell them we are testing a new autopilot. If they need me they will press the call button

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlyn (Post 1309164)

I get that too. I usually tell them we are testing a new autopilot. If they need me they will press the call button

I just them I've downloaded the airline pilot app on the iphone. I can fly the plane from back here now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Masters (Post 1309176)

I just them I've downloaded the airline pilot app on the iphone. I can fly the plane from back here now.

What? When did that come out. Do you know if it is available for Android too?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlyn (Post 1309164)

I get that too. I usually tell them we are testing a new autopilot. If they need me they will press the call button

I learned to use sign language just enough to answer this smart arse question by signing back with; “I cannot hear” while mouthing it also.
Try this and watch the response.

I wish I could have video'd some of the looks and responses I have received.

I am sure I will be called on the carpet for this someday.

Who was the tool that decided to let APC use random green hyperlinks about every 20 words? They don't even go with the words that describe them. Now it takes forever to read a post because I'm so curious as to what it will say next:p