So you're assertion is that Delta would disregard all that they learned during their very thorough vetting process based on word of mouth and hearsay from a web forum? You're right, they spent two days interacting with me and observing my interaction with others in a closed environment and you've read a half dozen posts regarding an incident (that I admitted I was in the wrong about, no less) on a web forum. I'm sure you got the more accurate picture.

 

Due to ffb's mea culpa on here, I conditionally un-nominate him for TOTD as long as he apologizes to his FO.

Also, his job offer is conditionally safe on the same terms.

 

Hoping like hell that I run into him next week!

 

Sorry FFB, apologies etc are nice. But to take that attitude at anytime during a flight is just plain unacceptable. Perhaps the next time that f/o thinks something isn't right, he just might keep his mouth shut, thinking he will once again be berated by his know it all captain. Perhaps a remedial CRM Initial course is the way to go for you. There is never a place for any arrogance in a modern aircraft in this day and age. If you had to fly several more legs with him, you probably lost him as an asset for the remainder of the rotation. You need to seek him out and apologize for not just not knowing basic jet engine winter ops, but also for your behavior as a captain.

As a very old timer here, I continually am amazed at the knowledge my f/o's might have of some obscure procedure or new company bulletin. And most of the time my response is, YGTBSM, wow I didn't know that.

But the fact you actually made the time to call him out as a TOTD on APC says a lot. Time for some serious CRM reflection.

 

ffb owned it. Obvioulsy intitally a pooor CRM decision. Really, what does it cost to turn on the AI on the ground and throw your FO a bone pending some research? Nothing. He allowed a personal bias to interfere. Rare is the pilot who hasn't, at some point, succumbed to that pitfall.

I commend him for his mea culpa. There are plenty of folks out there who won't own up.

 

In defense of FFB, a lot of that was the culture of that particular company that was imposed upon him when he was an FO...especially if he was at a long standing base located somewhere in between Louisiana and New Mexico. The CRM culture at that base was less than non-existent.

 

I'm starting to wonder if y'all read my initial post in its entirety. My initial reaction WAS "Ok, then let's turn it on." Admittedly, I didn't delve into details further in the initial post (though I did in subsequent posts) but next, when parked at the gate I said "we have a few minutes, lets find that in the book. I haven't been doing it that way." It was not to be found. After more thorough investigation, I found and admitted (many timea over) my error.

Now, without getting into further details that may embarrass anyone besides myself, this FO is a 'known quantity' at my airline (and others) with a history of doing things 'his way'. I know some of you have flown with guys like that. It can wear on you after a multi-day trip.

Final thought: I was wrong on the facts. Whats more, as the captain I handled the situation poorly and there is no excuse for that. I understand, admit and hope to learn from those errors. I hope this can be my final post on this subject.

 

Until yesterday, I though Britt McHenry was a nice girl. You spent two days smoozing Delta and Britt spent a few minutes during each of her reports portraying a nice attitude. When you see someone in real life they are often very different, whether it's at a towing company or inside a cockpit.

 

He only owned it after he was called out. And only because he's in fear of losing Delta.

 

Maybe your "Delta buds" could spend more time self policing the people on there that ALREADY work for DAL, slipped through the cracks, and NOW paint their company in a negative light with their frequent inflammatory postings.

And if a message board moderator had that kind of control over Delta's hiring, well, that would be seriously fornicated.