Planespotta

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

Merlyn

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

Doug Masters

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

501D22G

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

RhinoPherret

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.

Left Handed

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

sandlapper223

You can rant all you want, but it's not going to change things. My cockpit demeanor is splendid (at least I think so). And so should yours. Be professional even during less than ideal circumstances. Yes, the captain didn't "per se" do anything extraordinary to acquire the left seat, but neither did you. He at most just has more seniority than you do, but at the same time passed upgrade qualification and you haven't yet. No big. But you have a duty to the captain and your employer whether you like the man or not.

My point is, there is only one captain, and if he is being a jackass then speak up. Be tactful. But most won't, and sit and stew about it on an anonymous message board. But that won't help your cause. By all means, if there is a safety of flight issue, be professional, proactive, and speak up. But if its merely a personality issue, or you think you'd like things different, well thats just groovy -- too bad. If things get really unprofessional, then take it to pro-stans or deal with it like a man. That's your job.

jumpseat2024

One of the best pieces of new-hire advice I got..just because they're sitting in the captains' seat doesn't always mean they're smarter or better than you..they've just been here longer.

Not meant to be demeaning to the captain's authority, but I think we can all agree there's some out there that aren't the brightest crayons.

2StgTurbine

At the two airlines I worked at, both had upgrade pass rates of 98%.

jc23

As my wife dropped me off for a trip near the entrance to work, the TSA agent who approached me (shaking and nervous for some odd reason) and stood inches from my face asking me what time it was....to which I replied, "probably close to the time you have on your wrist watch, have a nice day". I guess I should also nominate myself for the response I gave the TSA agent.