Originally Posted by SmoothOnTop

When I was young, confident, complacent and "it can't happen to me" pilot, I wasn't a perfect steward for a sterile flight deck (sightseeing comments, to my crew members, were my vices).

Reading a cvr transcript back then changed my ways.

About 5000 aircraft (all operations) are airborne over the U.S. at noon on a typical day, 1 crew not observing sterile flight deck procedures below 10,000 msl is one too many!

How many professional crews engage in this behavior?

If you have a crew member that likes to yap in sterile, except for conversations regarding flight, stay quiet.
She/he might get the hint. Then lead by example, when you complete the climb checks after passing 10 or 18k, talk up the non-critical stuff. Descending back through 18 or 10k, shut the non flight stuff off.

Please use this recent cvr transcript as a trigger to reflect on your own behaviors...

Originally Posted by Rascal

Last time I checked "professionals" were paid more than minimum wage... So much demanded from people that live with mummy and daddy because they can't afford rent. Maybe better pay can attract more candidates and then you can be more selective in choosing "professional" pilot to work at your airline.

Originally Posted by Rascal

Do you expect the same service from McDonald's as you would from a good steakhouse? All I am saying, is that with better pay you attract more professionals or at least you can pick your pilots out of larger pool and you are more likely to get more qualified candidates. Everyone expect pilots to be held up to the highest standard when it comes to experience, professionalism etc. ,except when it comes to pay. People defend outrageous CEO salaries because it keeps the best from leaving the company, yet this rule somehow does not work for pilots....

Originally Posted by ImEbee

Service is not the issue when we are talking about sterile cockpit procedures. When I go to McDonald's I still expect my fries not to be burned. We are talking about keeping your mouth shut when you are supposed to and pay has nothing to do with your ability to do that.

Is this the excuse you are prepared to use?

Originally Posted by Rascal

Maybe better pay can attract more candidates and then you can be more selective in choosing "professional" pilot to work at your airline.

Originally Posted by Rascal

Your fries are more likely to burned at McDonald than at a steakhouse... I am not prepared to use this as an excuse because I care about my family and I am not selfish enough to put them through years of "professional" wages.