He actually doesn't sound like a an ex-FA DEI employee-preference hire who was a "special" case for the training dept. I doubt he wrecked many jets.

And you’re right. As an FO I don’t know what I don’t know in aviation but doesn’t mean CA should assume I don’t know anything. Just how having a type and 400 hours doesn’t make me a know it all, having thousands of hours doesn’t make CA a god like creature. We all try our best to learn everyday but I don’t agree with holding hands for the entire duration of the flight. If I need a hand I will gladly ask or if you see something say something. Don’t anticipate I am just sitting there day dreaming and checked out. I am sure some FOs are but not all are. But you can’t assume that as a CA because I would argue that would be arrogance. I mean clearly it’s been a thing otherwise more than one FO wouldn’t mention it on here.



Mentoring a new FO is a good thing and every CA should try and mentor new guys when they need it. But I would disagree that dictating every move your FO makes has a positive effect on them learning anything. Basically you’re just flying the ship through them. I would argue that will shut them down instead of develop critical thinking and learning. I know at times it could be tough to have faith in a new guy but maybe ask the FO what he/she thinks, it comes with being a CA and having thousands of hours. If the new guys don’t experience and you never let them make any mistake (By jumping the gun as a CA) they will never learn.



It’s not about comparing, assuming and or dictating. It’s about working together positively and I did see some CA lacking when it comes to that.



I have also came across a lot of CA with thousands of hours get comfortable doing it one way but there are multiple ways of doing things. Something as silly as getting vectored around at 10,000, ATC says descent and maintain 8000. I go VS -1000 considering our distance and here comes a voice “Use open decent” from the CA with thousands of hours. Do you have a reason why? No we use open descent. Ok well with all due respect, in that case would you like to fly us? I’ll gladly talk the radios. Same thing with using Decel point vs activating the approach (in via cases). And many other small examples that could be done safely more than just the CA way.



Oh another good example. Airplane says “More Drag” and here comes a voice “Let’s use some speed brakes okay !?!”. Well let’s talk about it: There is a decel point between us and the waypoint so airplane thinks it’s gonna slow down but the waypoint speed limit is 250. So I’ll select speed once we pass decel point thus activating the approach and not needing speed brakes as we have made the waypoint altitude restriction. Then once we pass the waypoint I’ll manage speed thus slowing us to the green dot. What do you think CAP? And there comes a look that’s not how we do it. Reminder: we are still talking about only 10% of the guys.



Maybe because of my lack of experience that keeps me from blindly believing prog page deviation and actually do the math and maybe because of that lack, I am not set in doing things one way but I do expect a CA to be open to doing things more than just one way (ofcourse considering it is safe to do so given the circumstances).

This just shows your inexperience with this industry. Nobody will won’t know if they’ve made the right move until you retire. You could be top 10% and leave Spirit, an economic downturn happens, Spirit right sizes, and you get furloughed from Brown. If you would have stayed, now all of a sudden you still think you made the right decision to leave?

Point is, you can’t plan for more than 5 years in this industry, too many variables. If you had any seniority at NK, your quality of life at the new airline will takes years to get back to what it was at NK.

So don’t sit here and criticize people that have great seniority who haven’t left. The cards will play out in a way you never though imaginable - good ways and bad ways.

Same here, and I've been a Captain at NK for almost 8 years now. The "kids" have been great, it's people closer to my age (I am almost 50) who are on their 3rd or 4th career (not 3rd or 4th airline) who have occasionally (very occasionally) presented issues. Someone who at age 40+ decides to suddenly go and play pilot can be...interesting. Again, even that has been very rare.

I am a American Platinum Pro FF. Americans service can be poor but Spirit is on a whole different level of poor.
I woukd also point out that those buying the cheap seats on the majors often don't sit in them. I buy the lowest fare available and get a immediate upgrade to any seat I want in coach. I can then normally upgrade to first for 90.00 about two weeks prior to the flight or get a free upgrade closer in.

Congratulations

You must fly NK pretty frequently as well if you’re using anecdotal evidence to compare levels of customer service.

yeah man, it’s awesome that you’re a platinum FF, and apparently a delta stock holder too? And risked your reputation coming into the NK board to tell us how bad our customer service is? Hey seriously we really appreciate you gracing us with your presence. 🙄

A great post, sailing! both informative and it has generated a seas worth of salt

This is exactly how fractional guys flex with all their points. Basically the only flex they got.