When I got my fourth stripe it wasn't, as you refer to it, as a "crash course". The examination process consisted of a one day written exam, one day oral, four hour sim check, and the easy part... bounces in the jet. Back in the day, you had to know details as the manufacturers of the CSD, Generators, Nav systems. One had to explain the ratio of the lockout of the outboard ailerons whilst the flaps were extending and retracting on the old 727 during the walk around. OCS training? no. Know your aircraft? You bet!

Can we get on with tool of the day instead of tool measuring?

Thankfully those days are over and knowing what kind of blots hold the engine on the pylon is useless info. Training is more practical in this day in age and not ego driven by a few eggheads in the training department.

OCS wasn't that hard either Einstein. You really need to learn when to stop digging.

You're young (obviously). There is no such thing as "useless info" when it concerns your aircraft. There might not be anything you can necessarily do about a particular malfunction, but by having the level of systems knowledge that Captjns talks about, you can KNOW how your craft has been affected by the loss of a system or component. What you are alluding to is one of the things that are eroding the importance of our profession. Pilots are becoming button pushing monkeys. When all you have to do is read a checklist, and push the right button or throw the right switch, and live with the consequences of those actions; an intelligent thinking being at the controls is really not necessary. Couple that with dispatch making your divert decisions for you and what are we left with? Maybe you are comfortable with that. Frankly, I'm not. Over the North Atlantic in the middle of the night, as a passenger I would want to believe that there is a competent individual at the controls, not just someone that had a "crash course" in flying. Perhaps it is coming to that, and you as a "professional" feel that minimal knowledge about your aircraft is sufficient. If that is the case and that feeling is more rampant out there, it does not bode well for the future of this industry as a well paying one. Anybody that can read will do. As a matter of fact, they could put 1 "captain" onboard, and sell the FO seat to anybody that can read and is willing to sit up front for the entire flight...

Oh, and what's a "blot"?

I flew the 727 and DC-8. Now I'm a button pushing monkey. Took me six months to figure out why I was pushing some of the buttons. I know very little of how the systems work.

[QUOTE=tsquare;1589868]You're young (obviously). There is no such thing as "useless info" when it concerns your aircraft. There might not be anything you can necessarily do about a particular malfunction, but by having the level of systems knowledge that Captjns talks about, you can KNOW how your craft has been affected by the loss of a system or component. What you are alluding to is one of the things that are eroding the importance of our profession. Pilots are becoming button pushing monkeys. When all you have to do is read a checklist, and push the right button or throw the right switch, and live with the consequences of those actions; an intelligent thinking being at the controls is really not necessary. Couple that with dispatch making your divert decisions for you and what are we left with? Maybe you are comfortable with that. Frankly, I'm not. Over the North Atlantic in the middle of the night, as a passenger I would want to believe that there is a competent individual at the controls, not just someone that had a "crash course" in flying. Perhaps it is coming to that, and you as a "professional" feel that minimal knowledge about your aircraft is sufficient. If that is the case and that feeling is more rampant out there, it does not bode well for the future of this industry as a well paying one. Anybody that can read will do. As a matter of fact, they could put 1 "captain" onboard, and sell the FO seat to anybody that can read and is willing to sit up front for the entire flight...

How long is the escape rope on the crj200? Why are there v1 cuts on 13000 foot runways? What is the best way to use the symbol generator display? What is the tire pressure? How long are N1 blades? Ill try and think of some more stupid pointless questions while you answer these.

I'm guessing his technologically advanced Spell Checker wasn't working, and it was supposed to be "bolt".:rolleyes:

It really sucks when the technology you've become addicted to takes a day off and you can't see obvious mistakes, or do anything, but push buttons...:eek:

Knowing how high the nose wheel strut sits off the ground and how much tire pressure is required does nothing but waste everyone's time in training. There is much more critical information and training that should be done. Thankfully the philosophy in training these days is much more reality based where if you can't fix it via the QRH or switch then it's best left to the MX guys.

Yes I am young (probably the same age as some of your kids) and that should have nothing to do with anything. It looks like I've struck a nerve with some people who wish it was still the 1960's glory days of aviation when captains were worshiped by everyone they came into contact with, when cockpit crews had 4 people, when passengers wore suits and the pilots all had "panel time" and an a&p course or two. Here is another shocker, in about 30 years the tom cruise top gun guys with square jaws, a Harley and to cute blondes on each arm will be replaced with an enlisted or contract guy weighing about 300 lbs in a air conditioned trailer commanding a drone. Times change, I'd still like a milk man to bring me ice cream and milk but these days I need to go to trader joes for that.

I agree. Minimum standards is good enough. I don't get paid enough to need to know all that stuff about my airplane. I just like to push buttons to make my plane go. If it breaks, it's not my concern.
Actually, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this thread is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.