Yup. Up and downs, up and downs, wash rinse and repeat. Best way to learn the plane. Sitting at cruise discussing crap is a waste of time for new hires. But instructors like those east out and backs. Counterproductive when you consider the purpose of the training flight is for the newhire, not the instructor wanting to be home for dinner.

I hate to say it but I’m one of those “RJ Captains” but I’m not in the right seat trying to 3 bar captain anyone. Speaking of IOE, I was lucky I guess. We flew a 20+ 4 day and day three I looked over at my LCA and I’m like look I know you have to cover all this but I’ve heard it all before.. I’d rather talk about how confusing this Airbus is! He laughed and was like ok I’ll hit all the highlights and then he just started in on all the quirks with this airbus. Started letting me get challenged by the plane on arrivals and approaches. Watched me squirm when they left me high and gave me the dreaded capture from above. Good times! After that trip I did two long jungle turns and that’s when we really hashed out the IOE check marks. All that being said I’m humbled to be in the right seat again and after a year on property finally think I’ve figured out how to talk to ground again. Also, another add in, I do believe it’s a huge disadvantage to new hires not having a full hard fought trip under their belt before sign off.. wish they got paid more because I’m broke after the first year hit! You new hires fly safe and keep your head up high. You’ll be bombarded with the typical, “are your staying or going?” Just make the best decision for yourself and your family in that regard. Prior to the merger announcement the worse part for me was the poverty level wage. I can only hope for the best moving forward.

We will all be doing day turns soon enough!