Just curious, how much flight plan input does the FO get when he runs to preflight the jet and the captain goes to Starbucks and signs the release?

Who cares if it is signed or not... if one of you isn't happy about it you get it changed or explain your point of view. I understand the significance of signing the release but it isn't an iron clad contract where they are going to force you to do something unsafe because of a signature. You just get it amended like we do every day. The FO has at a minimum 30 minutes sitting there in the cockpit with the captain to voice his concerns about whatever he wants.

Typical 1 hour prior “weather room” briefing:

Bill: “Are you going to Minot?”

Ted: “I am”

Bill: “Hi, I’m Bill”

Ted: “I’m Ted”

Bill: “How long you been here”

Ted: “Coming up on 2 years, just retired from the Navy”

Bill: “I flew vipers at the academy and taught weapons school at Luke. Hang on one second. Hey Steve, what are you doing you old coot?”

Steve: “Biiillll, heading to Hong Kong. Can’t wait to go to Stinky Fingers. Those girls are so into me”

Bill: “How’s Linda and the kids?”

Steve: “Linda left me last year, and the kids are starting college this fall.”

Bill: “No way. How’s the triple been?”

Steve: “It’s great man. I’m bidding 54% and got 19 days off last month.”

Bill: “I’ve been thinking about bidding over.”

Steve: “You should man. We take off, I watch a movie, take a nap, eat, watch a movie, then we’re there.”

Bill: “Well, it’s 20 prior. Hey Ted, why don’t you go get the jet ready, I’m gonna grab a coffee and I’ll be down in 15?”

Ted: “Sure thing. Do you mind grabbing the walk around when you come down? It would really help speed things up.”

Bill and Steve: “hahahahahahaha!”

Bill: “I don’t even know where my vest is.”

Steve: “These new guys.”

It’s shocking how close to reality that is, on any day....in any FPA. 90% of all the conversations are mindless drivel.