Your Definition and Personal Interpretation
 

For an article submission, I have a topic that I would like to cover. My question is, "What does it mean to be a Pilot in Command (PIC); both in the literal definition and how it applies to you and what it means to you. If you could/want to include your name, current work position, and any statistics of your current logged flight time.

Your Definition and Personal Interpretation
 

Perhaps, if you'd like such insight, you might want to peruse these pages more before asking quite so boldly. PM me once you've the capability here.

It means the guys sitting to my left has been at the airline longer than me. He has been named pilot in command due to his date of hire; not necessarily his skill, track record, or leadership ability.

Signed,
Almost every airline FO

Can I assume your future FO's will think the same as you?

That's WHY the guy is PIC, but not what PIC is. But yes, most FOs (rightfully) think that because it's true. Until upgrades are based on anything other than seniority, it will continue to be true.

It means He/She is the one that the big turd lands on when the ****storm hits


Cheers

K

Yep
 

Probably yep, because it's true. It doesn't mean I have any less respect for them or any less acknowledgement of their authority over me though. They ARE the boss; however, it isn't necessarily because they are any more experienced, proficient, talented, gifted or better looking than I or any other FO. It is because they have the seniority and desire to hold that position and can pass their type ride. Their capabilities and proficiency span the spectrum as do the FOs they fly with. That goes with the territory of a seniority based system. Still....I got no problem with it at all.

Coming from crew aircraft in the AF, I rarely saw that issue...if it was a problem the individual typically never made it to the left seat. Airline wise, normally those individuals are weeded out in training or having unsatisfactory performance during checkrides.

Excellent post!

The PIC is the ringleader of the circus. And it is definitely a circus.