NYT: Alaska Flying Above Industry Troubles
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/bu...echnology&_r=0

If FOs are not allowed to land in Kodiak, how will they ever get the experience? And how did the Captains first learn to land there?

I know I should ask my, uh, in-house expert, but he's on vacation. :)

That description answers the question in itself, given the fact that the skipper has been given the keys to the jet, along with the responsibility. New guys should not be insulted in the least, if the company has "Captains Only Airport". Its pretty tough to allow a newly released FO loose in those conditions until his or her captain feels comfortable enough flying with any individual in such hostile conditions. Experience can be gained with comfort in less than ideal conditions at larger airports with longer and wider runways.

Totally agree. Runways like KJAC in the winter have had their share of runway excursions. ILS to mins-5kt tailwind, heavy snow, braking action poor. :)

Typical media.

The PIC landing requirement is only for 18/36 and 29. Landed 25 many times...

And it doesn't take 6-7 years to Arctic qual...not sure where he got that one.

Vagabond, as you know, I do not work for Alaska Airlines. I didn't even stay at a Holiday inn express last night. :)

Many Airlines have Specific "Captain's only landing" airports, or they have criteria when the Captain "must" make the landing. (High crosswinds, runway contamination, Low visibility etc). It is not that FO's are not qualified to do it, they are but the Captain, in most cases, has more experience and is the one who signs the Flight release and therefore is ultimately responsible for the saftey of flight.

The FO's gain experience acting as the PM (Pilot Monitoring) during these approaches and landings. They see how it is suppose to be done (or not in a few cases). :(

Again, I cannot speak with any authority for Alaska Air procedures, but To answer your question, I would guess that any new Captain at Alaska Air has a Check Airman ride with him or her when doing their first landing at these High Risk Airports or they practice the approach/landing in a Simulator.

Vags,

You get qualified on Capt. IOE with an IP in the right seat. Its not that big a deal.

True statement for most pilots in the US as they may spend almost half a generation, and even more with some carriers, in the right seat before getting their command.

Beyond the borders of the US, it's a different story. Time to command may be as little as 3 to 4 years with 3 to 4 thousand hours in the logbook. Most join foreign carriers as cadets with about 250 hours TT. Most of the flying with most non US carriers is with full automatics with very little manual flying.

On the other hand, I encourage all my FOs to hand fly without FDs A/Ts, and delay AP engagement until underway above 10,000' with disconnect below 15,000'. The automatics are always available, but most decline to use them.

I don't place weather, wind or visability limits on my FOs. I'll take control if the situation starts to go pear shape. After all, how else will FOS gain the experience?

Is it just me, or do the "captain only" operations work against what we learn in CRM class: 70ish% of bad stuff happens when CA is flying and the crew has not yet jelled as a team?

Bad stuff happens when Captain Bligh builds the one way wall of communication, regardless of totoal crew experience.

media not accurate = surprise?
 

As stated earlier - ADQ has Capt only landing / Takeoff on rwy 18, 36 & 29. ADK also has this Capt landing limitation on rwy 05. I don't like these rules, but I don't get to make the rules.
Also, it takes 2 maybe 3 days of OE to get Arctic qual - certainly not years... The media sure did their homework on this peice.
Automation only goes so far when working the Arctic or any short, dark, slippery place. I've seen some new hires select auto breaks 1, land and never disarm the breaks - which means that their feet were on the floor to 60 knots. That will not win you bonus points on a 6,000 foot slippery runway.