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-   -   Can a regional run without long-term pilots (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/120108-can-regional-run-without-long-term-pilots.html)

majorpilot 02-22-2019 04:33 AM


Originally Posted by DiveAndDrive (Post 2768338)
I actually never indicated that a good PT score was an indication of a good leader.



I know and experienced that.



I was simply paraphrasing the article for those who didn’t read it. My point was just to not accept the bare minimum effort. How many times have you heard people saying anything greater than a 70% on a written is “x% working too hard”? I know it’s a joke, but still. Would you want a 70% pilot on your next deadhead? He can only keep the needle 70% centered on an approach down to minimums? He only has 70% of his memory items and limitations down?



As one of my military instructors said, “attention to detail, kicks de-tail”. I still say that to this day, and get quite a few crazy looks when I do. My examples above are pedantic. But humor me. What margin of error becomes acceptable? For me, it’s honestly just an internal struggle of constsntly trying to improve, and never accepting less than what I believe is my best. I’m not perfect. I mess up. I don’t sweat 0.02 or 0.03 X track. I’m not going to fish tail myself all over the sky just trying to get 0.00. But I STRIVE to be as CLOSE to perfect as possible. For me, I just enjoy the challenge. I enjoy maintaining my skills and trying to improve upon them. And my personal opinion is that that’s what separates amateurs from true professionals. Our companies and passengers expect professionals. And I have to agree with the statement that people with that mentality, either consciously or subliminally, portray themselves as such, and interviewers at the next level can pick up on that. But I could still be young, naive, and bright eyed and bushy tailed, so [emoji1744]*[emoji3603]


+1

Filler

rickair7777 02-22-2019 02:17 PM


Originally Posted by majorpilot (Post 2768461)
Then again, there are other fields for such individuals to advance. We’ve all worked for or seen the boss fixated on “always wearing a sharp suit” or the like. I wear a uniform and it always looks sharp; but I’ve found that leaders for whom that’s their main focus almost always lack needed critical basic leadership skills that are much more important than looks.

Yes, basic fitness (not SOF fitness) and military bearing should be a given for anyone who plans on going much further than E3. By no means is that the end all, be all. I got promoted by being smart, working hard, and having the luck to develop some critical skills and experiences early in the game before anyone knew they were going to be critical.

I did have a friend from way back who was always into fitness (as was I). He gained some media publicity for training for an iron-man while serving as the CO of ship on deployment. He would have the ship stop dead in the water so he (and only he) could swim laps around a destroyer for training. I found that to be odd and perhaps not appropriate, and I would have been uncomfortable with media coverage in any event. He ultimately came under indictment in the fat leonard business, so there might be a type of personality that manifests that way. But almost everyone I know who got command was fit, usually former athletes, probably reflects motivation and stamina (especially as you get older, gotta lead from the front).

TheWeatherman 02-22-2019 02:41 PM


Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 2768739)
Yes, basic fitness (not SOF fitness) and military bearing should be a given for anyone who plans on going much further than E3. By no means is that the end all, be all. I got promoted by being smart, working hard, and having the luck to develop some critical skills and experiences early in the game before anyone knew they were going to be critical.

I did have a friend from way back who was always into fitness (as was I). He gained some media publicity for training for an iron-man while serving as the CO of ship on deployment. He would have the ship stop dead in the water so he (and only he) could swim laps around a destroyer for training. I found that to be odd and perhaps not appropriate, and I would have been uncomfortable with media coverage in any event. He ultimately came under indictment in the fat leonard business, so there might be a type of personality that manifests that way. But almost everyone I know who got command was fit, usually former athletes, probably reflects motivation and stamina (especially as you get older, gotta lead from the front).

Like this O-6? I bet he got 100s on the PT test. He sure did have that drive you were talking about, the drive to find 14 year old boys. The Air Force selection board really hit it out of the ballpark with this one.

http://i68.tinypic.com/dgrw9u.jpg

Rahlifer 02-23-2019 06:38 AM

How did a thread about regional lifers turn into a discussion about the volleyball scene from top gun?

FollowMe 02-23-2019 06:58 AM


Originally Posted by Rahlifer (Post 2768965)
How did a thread about regional lifers turn into a discussion about the volleyball scene from top gun?

https://memegenerator.net/img/instan...drift-ever.jpg

ZeroTT 02-23-2019 07:22 AM

So here’s an example. Regional with 1900 pilots. Seniority #100 hired 2014. Is that sustainable?

word302 02-23-2019 08:50 AM


Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 2768972)
So here’s an example. Regional with 1900 pilots. Seniority #100 hired 2014. Is that sustainable?

You're asking the wrong questions. The real issue is can they keep up with attrition. Sure it's tough to keep instructors and LCAs from leaving, but that will never stop. If they can keep up with attrition and have a solid plan for instructor turnover, the juniority of the pilot group doesn't matter.

Slow2Final 02-23-2019 11:13 AM


Originally Posted by word302 (Post 2769016)
You're asking the wrong questions. The real issue is can they keep up with attrition. Sure it's tough to keep instructors and LCAs from leaving, but that will never stop. If they can keep up with attrition and have a solid plan for instructor turnover, the juniority of the pilot group doesn't matter.

I took that post as regarding the general experience level of a pilot group that is so incredibly junior.

Flyboyxc91 02-23-2019 11:49 AM


Originally Posted by Approach1260 (Post 2767907)
Well at least at PSA the absolute most Senior FO you'll fly with as a Captain will be right about 2 years. That's about the maximum time you can avoid the forced Senior Upgrade.

So the times of having an experienced FO in the right seat to catch a new Captains mistakes are well and truly over.

I've been on property for 3 years and that puts me in the top third of the company which is nuts when you think about it. I make sure to tell all my FO's to absolutely speak up and we'll help keep each other out of trouble. I know other new Captains though who like to lord their four bars over the new guys, and they convince these FO's to just sit there and shut up.


I understand you were probably trying to just say two years is about the longest you’ll sit in the right seat before transitions to the left.. however, being able to catch mistakes and be a good crew member in an operational and professional capacity is another matter NOT relating to just having to have 2 years before it’s acknowledged. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to tell the captain “we now need a T/O Alternate” , “we can’t descend like that in Canada, watch the altitude at XXX fix”, “Hey don’t you think we need to ask dispatch for a new alternate because I know you acknowledged it but it’s below the derived minimums”, “That runway is closed on the NOTAM when we get there”... I’m just saying I hate this type of statement because I’ve been very helpful some days and the captains appreciate it a lot when that’s the case I’ve found. I’m a one year FO at the airline, but my background also is in science and engineering so it’s the details that do matter and I believe in stayin engaged to the situations that are at hand... it’s not just “Captain *******” when dealing with a release or decision making, some FOs will say that but I think there are more than a few that strive for a more professional stance.


Happy Flying.

word302 02-23-2019 11:50 AM


Originally Posted by Slow2Final (Post 2769097)
I took that post as regarding the general experience level of a pilot group that is so incredibly junior.

It's really nothing new. Smaller pilot groups have always been junior.

4V14T0R 02-23-2019 12:40 PM


Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 2768972)
So here’s an example. Regional with 1900 pilots. Seniority #100 hired 2014. Is that sustainable?



I think it has the potential not to be. Look at the FAA mandated positions for a 121 carrier. Some of those are pretty restrictive and if someone leaves from one of those from a carrier with a junior pilot group, this could cause some issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ZeroTT 02-23-2019 01:53 PM

To what degree are sim/lca/dpe position salaries constrained by the CBA. Can those be outsourced at competitive salaries?

flydiamond 02-23-2019 04:07 PM


Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 2769252)
To what degree are sim/lca/dpe position salaries constrained by the CBA. Can those be outsourced at competitive salaries?

Most if not all JCBAs will set a limit for what if any sim instruction can be outsource (scope, badically) as well as any pay differential, increased guarantee, etc. At my shop, all checking events must be performed by a seniority list pilot and most sim instruction is also done by seniority list instructors. LCA will never, ever be outsourced.

word302 02-23-2019 04:51 PM


Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 2769252)
To what degree are sim/lca/dpe position salaries constrained by the CBA. Can those be outsourced at competitive salaries?

There is no amount of money that will keep someone from leaving that's going to leave.

Gone Flying 02-24-2019 03:55 PM


Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 2769252)
To what degree are sim/lca/dpe position salaries constrained by the CBA. Can those be outsourced at competitive salaries?

while a different approach i heard the FAA was considering allowing LCA's to stay past 65 to just do line checks. let under 65 guys do ioe. also could allow sim guys to be over 65

dera 02-24-2019 04:13 PM


Originally Posted by Gone Flying (Post 2769804)
while a different approach i heard the FAA was considering allowing LCA's to stay past 65 to just do line checks. let under 65 guys do ioe. also could allow sim guys to be over 65

Sim guys can already be 65+

rickair7777 02-25-2019 06:36 AM


Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 2769252)
To what degree are sim/lca/dpe position salaries constrained by the CBA. Can those be outsourced at competitive salaries?

Depends on the airline. Some, probably most of the better majors, have limits on outsourcing mainly to ensure quality, relevant training by people who know the system at that airline (vice some guy with a bunch of slowtation time reading from (and mostly ignoring) a script (which he doesn't agree with despite no 121 line experience).

PhantomHawk 02-25-2019 07:12 AM

This whole thread is completely backwards. Take a look at XJT. Jam packed with lifers, and the problems it causes arent going away no matter what. You can’t have a log jam that prevents movement and expect to attract new talent. THAT is the model that’s unsustainable. As for the thread drift aspect.....I spent most of my life being pretty overweight, yet pretty bright and motivated. I never got the results in life that I felt I deserved and worked for. Then I focused heavily on running and lifting and completely changed my whole appproach to life. Outlook improved, personal relationships improved, the way people treat you improves, all because of how you perceive yourself and how you conduct yourself due to a new level of discipline. It transcends everything. So yes....it’s not universal, but to say that it doesn’t equate, isn’t correct.

rickair7777 02-25-2019 11:17 AM


Originally Posted by PhantomHawk (Post 2770061)
As for the thread drift aspect.....I spent most of my life being pretty overweight, yet pretty bright and motivated. I never got the results in life that I felt I deserved and worked for. Then I focused heavily on running and lifting and completely changed my whole appproach to life. Outlook improved, personal relationships improved, the way people treat you improves, all because of how you perceive yourself and how you conduct yourself due to a new level of discipline. It transcends everything. So yes....it’s not universal, but to say that it doesn’t equate, isn’t correct.

Same here, but fortunately for me figured it out in junior high school. But I can speak to the benefits with a before and after perspective as well.

Ihateusernames 02-25-2019 11:54 AM


Originally Posted by bradthepilot (Post 2766985)
One of the most surprising things to me, transitioning from engineering to the airlines, is that pilots only need to be "adequate". There is no reward or recognition for holding a heading +/- one degree instead of the +/- ten degrees, for example.



The pilots who push, nonetheless, for +/- one degree are the ones I want to fly with. In my brief and junior experience, those are also the ones that attract attention from major airlines, LCA or not (mostly not).



YMMV, of course.



If minimum wasn’t good enough, it wouldn’t be a score.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FollowMe 02-25-2019 02:39 PM


Originally Posted by Ihateusernames (Post 2770262)
If minimum wasn’t good enough, it wouldn’t be a score.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...kIChjvepfaWNQl

Flyboy68 03-01-2019 05:09 AM


Originally Posted by jcountry (Post 2767035)
I worry about “lifers” more than FNGs.

I flew with a couple who were terrifying

The two worst captains I flew with were an older lifer and the Chief Pilot who did my FO IOE.

First leg of my IOE (DFW to DRO) he says he'll fly it because it's a high altitude airport. He proceeds to land about half way down the runway and bounces it 3 times, had to use max reverse and braking. Scared the **** out of me. He then misinterpreted radio calls twice and insisted he was right, forcing me to confirm with ATC. He was wrong both times.

He then had the nerve to tell me that he "Didn't think I was getting it." Thank God I finished my IOE with another senior LCA who was competent and gave me great marks.

Flyboy68 03-01-2019 05:39 AM


Originally Posted by Approach1260 (Post 2767907)
I make sure to tell all my FO's to absolutely speak up and we'll help keep each other out of trouble. I know other new Captains though who like to lord their four bars over the new guys, and they convince these FO's to just sit there and shut up.

Good for you. That's what crew communication and CRM are supposed to be. You've got a great attitude about this also and it may save you from an accident or incident one day.

Gone are the days of the ogre captains who thought the FO was just there to work the flaps, gear and radio and to shut up about any and all decisions. I actually had one of these A-holes tell me " Don't make any radio calls unless I tell you to," after I told ATC that I had the traffic ahead in sight that we were following for the visual.

MaxQ 03-01-2019 09:31 AM


Originally Posted by Flyboy68 (Post 2772711)
Good for you. That's what crew communication and CRM are supposed to be. You've got a great attitude about this also and it may save you from an accident or incident one day.

Gone are the days of the ogre captains who thought the FO was just there to work the flaps, gear and radio and to shut up about any and all decisions. I actually had one of these A-holes tell me " Don't make any radio calls unless I tell you to," after I told ATC that I had the traffic ahead in sight that we were following for the visual.

While I don't know the tone or the general atmosphere leading up to the example you give, it probably is a good idea to check with the pilot flying before calling traffic in sight in which you know will be followed by a "cleared visual approach..."
I try to give the guys/gals I am flying with the chance to verify they are ok with being cleared for a visual by asking " do you want me to call him in sight"....not the biggest item in CRM but it is something to reflect on.

for what it's worth

Flyboy68 03-02-2019 08:28 PM


Originally Posted by MaxQ (Post 2772856)
While I don't know the tone or the general atmosphere leading up to the example you give, it probably is a good idea to check with the pilot flying before calling traffic in sight in which you know will be followed by a "cleared visual approach..."
I try to give the guys/gals I am flying with the chance to verify they are ok with being cleared for a visual by asking " do you want me to call him in sight"....not the biggest item in CRM but it is something to reflect on.

for what it's worth

Yeah, I hear you, but it was standard procedure for us. The controller says, "You're following a Southwest 737 four miles ahead at 11:00 and 4,000 feet. Call traffic in sight."

30 seconds later, I said to the captain, "I've got the Southwest in sight right there on final", pointed at it and made the radio call.

For him to tell me to ask him before making a radio call is bull****. It was a clear day and no reason for not shooting the visual.

If he was ticked about me calling traffic in sight, he should have said something to me after I pointed out the traffic to him instead of "Okay".

FLYMIA 03-03-2019 08:57 AM

I always confirm with my FO's, if they are flying, before I confirm field in sight or traffic in sight. If you were my FO I would kindly ask you to confirm with me first, I too would like to see that traffic even if you already have them visually. It's respectful for one, your keeping the guy flying in positive SA.

bradthepilot 03-03-2019 11:01 AM


Originally Posted by Flyboy68 (Post 2773637)
For him to tell me to ask him before making a radio call is bull****. It was a clear day and no reason for not shooting the visual.

If he was ticked about me calling traffic in sight, he should have said something to me after I pointed out the traffic to him instead of "Okay".

Did you ask him about it once you were at the gate, or just keep it to yourself to throw out on the Internet at some later point?

I've flown with CAs that said things that seemed off, or not logical, or whatever but I've always asked them about it once we were at the gate. In each and every case, they had a bit of information I did not and a reason for doing/asking whatever it was they did. I learned something in each instance.


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