What makes a good pilot?
 

Standard interview question ,we have all been asked it, just wanted to see what other pilots thought.

If you can thrive on two hours of sleep a night, keep up a decent conversation, wait until the top of climb to nod off, cover your captain's a$$, eat the fish, take the ugly one, and find your wallet when it's your turn to pick up the bar tab, I'd say you'll do fine!

Oh yeah, and you have to know how to fly good too....:D

I've was never asked this. Instead I was asked -- what makes a good Captain, FO, or leader.

Airlines aren't hiring "pilots". Monkeys can fly airplanes. Mathew Broderick proved that. :) Airlines need leaders who can lead a crew and a bunch of grumpy passengers through some stressful and difficult situations.

My answer was … a good Captain must have a great ATTITUDE (leads into treating others fairly, customer service, good CRM, and able to handle difficult situations), KNOWS THE JOB (leads by example, can fly the jet, knows the regulations, not a “do as I say, not as I do” person, and finally, BACKS HIS/HER CREWMEMBERS UP (respects and trusts the instincts/advice of other crewmembers, uses the team concept in decision making, but makes it clear who the final decision authority is).

I'll let you know if I get hired.

-Fatty

Aside from everything else.........someone who is easy to fly with whether it be an FO or a Captain. When you are at an airline, everyone can theoretically do the job and most people do. The FO's that stand out in my mind as negatives are the ones who are just not "cool". Take that how you will but what I mean by that are FO's that back you up, have a social life, are not Airplane nerds (guys or gals who's life revolves around flying) and are easy to talk to when flying. I despise FO's or Captains that are anal (There is a time and place for that but when it is clear and a million, we are configured, stabilized and cleared to land.....RELAX) I could write a book on this but to me it really doesn't have to do with flying skills but rather with social skills.

Having a good work ethic is important! A good Captain is an individual who can bring out the best in those he or she works with. Being passionate about your career is a plus. A good pilot maintains a professional approach to work at all times and doesn't allow personal issues or moods to affect his or her conduct.

Ok, so I am not flying for hire right now but I think I can definitely answer this.

A good FO, Capt, or pilot is one who has the passion inside for aviation as most of us do. With that fire inside to just fly, everything else will fall into place.

and i definitely agree with all you guys here. all of these answers, even subicpilot, has to make a good pilot......