How do remember the flight number WRT ATC after so many legs/days? Since the Mooney sold, I have to look at the placard on the panel and stumble through my callsign.

 

Just a word of advice from someone who's been at Delta longer than you. I suggest you follow the FOM guidance and not your own opinion, even if you think it's being a thin skinned Mary if this happens to you. The union will not support you if you willfully disregard the FOM.

 

Holy Sh*t, that's a good one!

 

I fly (flew) the Embraer 145, on the panel is an analog clock with a digital screen for entering the four digit flight number. After 5 or 6 legs I need to look at that clock every radio call. That being said, the difficult part is on days off when I go home and fly my Mooney...its next to impossible to make a radio call without first accidently saying my airline call sign.

 

My FO got his bag physically searched by a TSA goon at EWR before a 6AM flight. When the goon wouldn't put my FO's things back in his bag, they got in a little argument that ended with my FO requesting a supervisor. When the 2 striper came over, the goon said "Personally, I think he's been drinking." I called my flt. manager, who said call the police.
The police came over, but would not test my FO because they only test people suspected of being intoxicated. They had no reason to test my FO as they saw no signs he had been drinking. Then the Federal Security Director for EWR showed up with very thick TSA policy books. The TSA policy at the time (no clue what it is now) said an accused pilot must either be 1)arrested or 2) cleared of wrongdoing. They police would not arrest or clear my FO, as they could not clear him of anything they hadn't accused him of and they saw no reason to arrest him. Anyway, this all took several hours and got much more involved than I have covered here, but we finally flew our trip. My FO never did get tested, as no one would test him. I suppose he could have gone to a hospital, but it was pretty obvious he was fine.
When we loaded up, I recognized several of our passengers as having heard the accusation. I consulted with the gate agent (a good one) and decided to make a PA. I made the PA standing in the cabin, so they could see me, and explained the situation. I told them that myself, the police, the Federal Security Director, our chief pilot, and the gate agent all agreed my FO was fine and that we would be departing. Everyone seemed OK so off we went.
Those of you that say you would get tested - that might be easier said than done!

 

There schould be serious penalties for those who falsely accuse a crew member of intoxication and the biggie would be to put any passenger who does so on the NO FLY list for a period of no less than 2 years plus the costs associated with the flt.being delayed .
Is it a bit extreme ?

 

I'm pretty sure that ignoring some idiots comments while waiting at a gate for my jumpseat home wouldn't constitute a violation of the Delta FOM. Nonetheless, I will look it up just to be sure.

 

We all know this to not be true. The union has gotten pilots fired for legitimate reasons their jobs back countless times. Which is my #1 reason for disliking unions.

 

Jumpseating home, sure, you're on your own. Confronted while on the clock, follow the FOM.

Delta1067 and I work for Delta. DALPA has publicly stated they will not support ANY willful disregard of any company policy. Inadvertent failure to follow they will support you. However, ignorance of company policy is not considered inadvertent at Delta. YMMV where you work.

 

CRJPlt, I'm sure that if the companies had followed their own procedures and policies correctly, the union would not have been able to get the terminated pilots jobs back. Unions are a necessary evil, I neither like nor dislike them.
Cheers,
fbh
P.S. I'm a 23 year ALPA member in good standing.