Your turn: The best captain I ever flew with...
 

I'm asking the fine aviators here what traits/sayings/techniques/charm/humor have you heard or seen that can enlighten and improve the rest of us?

It doesn't have to be a captain, even though I titled it that.

Ready for an incoming education... there's bound to be some good stuff out there.

I'll start- on the takeoff briefing:
"After 80 knots, I'll only reject for a Bell, Bang, or a Swerve."

Some of the things that I've picked up along the way from people that I admire:

Take the time to learn the names of the people that affect your ability to succeed and say hello to them by name when you see them. (IE Rampers, agents, etc). By doing so, you're most likely to get assistance before other folks who haven't done so.

Do the best that you can at your own job and encourage others to do the same.

Don't get bent out of shape about the things you can't control (like staffing, lost bags, full gates).

Don't take out your frustration on the ramp staff- odds are they are 3 people short, working in ****ty conditions for marginal pay. Yelling at them sure isn't going to get things done any faster.

Life is too short to spend it screaming at operations over the radio.

Take a moment each workday to smile at a customer and thank them for flying.

Give cockpit tours. When you do, take a photo with your own camera and offer to email it to your passengers.

Always carry an updated resume and business card. You never know when something better might come along.

If it stops being fun, figure out why. If you can't, it's time to consider something new.

Invest in yourself and your family before all else.

Establish a good relationship with the CP and schedulers whenever possible. Doing so can make life easier down the road.

Be flexible.

There's a whole bunch more, but I don't want to bore you! :)

Treat your aircraft like you owned it yourself.

I was once told to drink cheap beer while on the road.. the cost savings over a career could be huge.. if you drink that is ;)

True, unless you are in PHL. In which case they probably deserve it. I recently heard a story that after a manager yelled at a group of rampers for not doing their job, they decided to torch his car in the employee lot.. great group of guys they have in Philly; the city of brotherly love (extra emphasis on brothA-ly)

(Turbine multi aircraft) "Count to 5 before doing anything with red lights i.e. don't rush..." (Those of you flying SE still, use this time to find the field you're going to land in :D)

I guess this is the real reason everyone hates PHL so much.

As a new guy I am grateful for captains who realize that they are teachers, whether they are getting the override or not. I appreciate them letting me figure out the jet on my own(within the bounds of safety, of course), rather than forcing me to do it their way.

As a Captain, when making PA's, talking on the radio, speaking with the F/A's or rampers, don't say "I..." It may ultimately be your ship, but we are a crew and I am a valuable part of it.

I always make sure I say "we" at any chance I get.

The best one I ever flew with was me as Captain! I knew when I bid that trip for the whole month I never had to fly with an A%%hole again! HA!

Seriously, the Skippers that let you fly the jet and make your own decisions not telling you when to put flaps out or how to "fly." Man, that gets on my nerves. Yes, if it's safety or your uncomfortable by all means speak up.