Sir James

How many times do I have to hear about the captain's decision to abort below V1, the reject duties, and other blather that really adds nothing to the safe operation of the aircraft? I already know the required duties-- it's in the airline's manuals, and I already was reminded by the last crewmember I flew with--, so unless it's something different the extra verbage is clouding up valuable communication. Stick to what's important, I'm thinking!

I was in the jumpseat, and listened to a pilot give the other pilot a one minute takeoff brief. About 20 seconds through, the PNF looked at his flight kit, then grabbed his coffee, and was thoroughly bored with the bla bla bla. Don't blame him, how many times have you done the same?

I think any brief longer than 20 seconds on a normal day (no ice, MEL items, and so on) is a waste of breath and time, and doesn't add anything to safety.

Am I off my rocker?

Flatspin7

First flight with any new CA I expect and 99% of the time get a full breif regarding rejected take offs, and the standard CRM stuff. That is good operating procedure... The next leg I will ask if its ok to call the general stuff "previosly briefed" everybody is cool with that. Then the brief is fairly quick, but then throw in a challenging airport or wx.

That is pretty standard at my company

Diesel 10

The captains I fly with that are the most competent usually have the best takeoff briefings in my experience. The most anal capts go on and on. So I totally know where you're coming from, James.

calcapt

How about this: Below 100 kts call what you see but we'll likely go. Above 100 kts we'll abort if it won't fly or it won't run. At or above V1 we're flying. If you are flying (to the FO), keep flying. I'll do comms and checklists. Bring us back to a long runway and we'll call it a day. Departure is per the SID with any engine out considerations. Any questions?

Old Coastie

Some airlines have "standard procedures" which avoids the repetitive briefs you mention. The only items briefed are those unique to the departure: runway used, departure procedure, emergecy return, unusual terrain, etc. Of course weather factors (icing, etc) are also briefed.

TankerDriver

1 minute, huh? You should sit through a mission brief in the -135. I've sat through 20-30 minute briefings, discussing every possible IFE there was.

shackone

Agreed. The two companies we train for have a standard T.O. briefing...initial heading, altitude, and fix...plus any special considerations UNIQUE to that takeoff.

We're still having a hard time breaking guys of the habit of reciting War And Peace prior to the takeoff.

dhc8fo

A first leg, new crew, brief and then this for us.

Priority 3

The best briefing is one that actually adds value. Most briefings at my co. include a lot of needless filler.

HotMamaPilot

Good one shack. lol. Not to mention in addition to being :scared of heights, dislexic etc, most pilots have a short attention span(since they only care about what THEY have to say). It's a waist of breathe.