Mentorship for New Captains
 

What is your greatest piece of advice for first time Captain upgrades at United?

United has thousands of highly experienced pilots retiring in the years ahead. With new hires likely soon to be on an accelerated track to the left seat, now more than ever, mentorship and transfer of knowledge is critical.

For those that have United Captain experience, what is some advice you’d give to someone now upgrading? Something you wish you’d have been more prepared for or someone would have told you before moving to the left seat?

I’m not confident there won’t be thread drift and infighting about the TA, but maybe there could be some nuggets of solid info here for junior pilots aspiring for the left seat.

With great power comes great responsibility…all kidding aside, remember to use your resources and take into consideration the recommendations of those you fly with rather than just making a command decision.

We like to think we are the smartest person in the room but the truth is, we rarely are.

We get paid by the minute. Go slowly, steadily, do not rush.

Congratulations!

-Know your **** from shinola
-lord loves a working man
-dont trust whitey
-its out there, see a doctor get rid of it.
-737 crews: don’t leave your crew meal trays on the second jumpseat during landing in Orange County.

Sage advice anywhere really!

You don't need to wear your shoulder straps the entire flight.

Use the 350 hours in the right seat to learn as much as you can. Don’t plan anything on your FDO. Actually, don’t plan anything on your first day off. 20-L-2 compared to our peers is atrocious and a good reason to bid WB FO when your seat lock is up.

Don’t upgrade for the money.

One thing I’ve learned in this business is that money should rarely drive any of your decisions.

True.

Anyways are they forcing upgrades on people now ?
I thought this contract was about qol. That is the exact opposite.

They can’t start training till august 2024. TA if passed won’t be signed till October 2023