I need some help here. I work for a small company with a pilot group of about 20. I am relatively new and have begun to recognize a serious problem with how a Captain and I are communicating. Prior to flying with this captain several First Officers approached me and warned me that this captain was very verbally abusive and hot headed. I am a laid back easy going guy who is non confrontational. I have recently been paired with this captain on three rotations and have begun to see how bizarre his behavior really is. It seems that when a situation becomes stressful he verbally lashes out at everyone in his path, he has also lost his temper and thrown his EFB (electronic flight-bag computer) at me while I was sitting inside the crew van, where it smashed into the door and began yelling profanities. I was trying to talk to another pilot at my company about how I could approach this captain and talk to him about his behavior and was told that he has physically hit other copilots (slapped hands, pushed etc..). I am trying to avoid going to management and would like to give him the chance to correct the problem. Any suggestions or others with simular experiences, your help is greatly appreciated.

 

From what I have read I don't think management would do anything about this guy. I'm sure they have to know about him, and the fact that he is still there tells me they don't want to deal with it.

It appears this guy has yet to outgrow the "terrible twos" stage of his life and hasn't quite learned that temper tantrums aren't the best way to get a point across. The best thing you can do is to continue to keep your cool, refrain from yelling back and lead by example. Management may not talk to this guy for yelling and screaming, but they may fire you the minute you decide to yell back.

Now, if he throws a punch, throws something at you, and yells profanities you may want to think about filing a police report with assault charges - especially if there is a witness. Guys like this are dumb enough to do something in front of multiple witnesses. Anyways, if it were me and he was going to hit me, I would let him. Then, I would file a police report and try to press charges - any that I could. Again, management may not do anything but the law just might.

 

This Captain is an accident waiting to happen. He is not going to change. You owe it to your passengers to have a long talk with your chief pilot. At worst, you will get fired, and then have a great story for your next interview that will reflect very well on your judgement.

Joe

 

Agree 100%.

I'm no psychologist, but I would be willing to bet that his temper is symptomatic of some other issue in his life. If that is the case, flying an airplane is probably the last thing that guy needs to be doing.

 

I' m no expert but his behavior could lead him to serious certificate action by faa if they find him mentally unstable. I've seen it first hand and that wasn't nearly as bad as you describe him, So maybe you should have a seroius chat with him and hopefully he will catch on.

 

I'm usually a proponent of addressing the problem at the lowest possible level, especially between pilots. However...

I agree this guy has issues that make him a hazard to others in aviation (and on the ground).

In addition to unstable behavior this guy has crossed the line to physical violence. The incident you describe constitutes assault and probably battery. If he had done that to me he would have been grounded for medical reasons for quit some time...and placed under citizen's arrest, turned over to LE, and probably sued just for the fun of it.

If for some reason you feel obligated to do the right thing by this clown, try to get other pilots to back you up, and go see the CP. I doubt this will help though, the guy will get a talking to, and while he may be smart enough to refrain from getting physical in the future, he will probably just turn up the aggression in other ways. And of course he will be out to get you...not gonna be fun.

I would probably go the cops and report the assault. Whatever happens with that, you at least have a legit criminal investigation to refer to when you go visit the FAA. If you can get other pilots to back you up, take them to the FSDO too.

I agree you might get fired, but I would guess if you can get other pilots to back you up your odds are good...the company will probably go with the prevailing winds.

 

Thanks gentleman,
your input has helped me organize my thoughts and strengthend my resolve to maintain my professionalism and deal with this situation appropriately. I will talk to the other pilots who have first hand knowledge of this captains behavior and ask them to back me when I take it to the Chief Pilot. Of course the fallout will most likely end up with my dismissal, but that is secondary to doing what is in the best interest of safety. At least I did my part to expose a lunitic, hopefully before he hurts someone or worse.

Thanks again.

 

Even if they do fire you, would you want to work for a company that condones the actions of this guy?

 

At your next layover grab a phone book and dial a call girl service (or 3) directing them to his room and then a few minutes later call the police and tell them of prostitution activity in your hotel.... Problem solved!

 

That is awsome!

As advertised previously on this thread by those of you much smarter than I. Stupid is as stupid does, Captain temper-tantrum wins. First Officer shuts mouth, looking for new job. I can only imagine what he has in store for me next.