This isn't "new", it's always been in the CAL FOM. Look under "reporting for duty". It's been there since I was hired.

On the 757/767/777, I always met the crew ahead of time. Actually, a few times on the 777, the CA would call scheduling on me asking where I was. Yea, It was still three hours to departure time. I'm still at home! Show time is show time, don't give an extra minute- unpaid minute/no duty credit! I don't need more than 5-10 minutes to do a plotting chart anyway.

On the 737 it may happen, it may not. I've had dead head legs to IAD to start pairings without the FO. Often I have 10 minutes from arrival to departure, so meeting someone from another base covering IAD 737 flying is a little different. No way to meet until departure time. not ideal, but since the 737 isn't allowed to have a base in certain hubs, that's the way it goes.

Normally, the CA's I have flown with (737) do NOT meet in the FPA. You were lucky if they showed up to the plane 15 prior. I normally printed out my own paperwork and got the plane ready. As a CA, I go to the nearest FPA to my gate and get my paperwork. No, I don't need a seat or table; the stand up areas are just fine. I don't need to sit before a long flight. If I meet the FO there, great. If not, I'll head to the plane. I have noticed the FO's are less engaged in the paperwork on the 737 than the other aircraft. That is mostly due to the type of flying: long ETOPS vs domestic/North America.

It's not a big deal either way. We all know our jobs.

 

I think the LCAL heavy crews would love to have a place to sit down and lay their papers out to work on. As a narrow body pilot I just don't see a need for it, when I was in the right seat or the left.

They won't be reinstalling roomier FPAs in LCAL areas, that's for sure. Money doesn't flow that way with this management.

 

I don't think there would be a problem one way or the other to mandate it for heavy, augmented crews...but for 2 man domestic??? See no need...'Regular guy' said most is spent joking about landings or bunk time anyway...so what's the point?? I can establish a rapport in the cockpit in 5 minutes anyway.

The problem is (on the 73 anyway ) it just adds wasted time to the checkin process with crews waiting around for each other as opposed to passing KCM, getting bags, checking in, getting food etc, checking revision currency, checking v files...add to that an additional 10-15 for FPA meetups?

If this is about a respect thing, most CA's (I know I do) share everything about the flight upfront, fuel, weather etc...and the conservative opinion of the crew is considered. I've only had rare instance with the opposing situation...and in those cases an FPA meeting would have made no difference.

 

Pilots universally hate change! We are hidebound, and want to continue doing the things that we are comfortable with. This is NOT limited to CAL guys, it applies to just about everyone who is a part of the seniority list.

I'm chuckling because our management L-CAL has been telling us that you guys L-UAL have had the most change to deal with, and that we should be happy that our changes are so minor. I'd bet that management has been telling you the opposite.

I will say this though. The sooner that an individual accepts and embraces the change the longer he/she will live. This is a steam roller, and the steam roller always wins.

 

Nah, it's pretty obvious we are doing it the CAL way. The joke around here is: why are they changing that? Because that's the way CAL does it....the only thing that is the same is our call sign. Heck, they are even changing the auto RA callouts. It is what it is.

 

We have many changes here also; some of which make sense on some level, and some of which make me scratch my head. Sounds like you are embracing though, which is what I am trying to do.

The auto RA callouts have changed for us also. I believe that it has to do with both sides having custom GPWS callouts, and the cost of changing either side to the other was cost prohibitive. So, they went with the Bendix standard.

 

What LCAL says they want in the FOM and what they really want is evidenced by the lack of all of the above in LCAL workspaces

Good comment APC.

What I find is the initial briefing always spells out how the trip will go. Jerks on both sides of the cockpit make for a long day.

Now did someone say you trade or get new FOs or CAPs commonly during a trip? If so wow. Bad environment and conducive to no CRM.

 

I'd bet that management has been telling you the opposite.

True!

Especially the 756 crews. Wholesale trashing of 20 years of experience in the cockpit. All from your CAL "Standards" guy.

 

I really wouldn't call it "embracing," it's more that I don't give a rat's arse. I mean, really, if these changes are causing you (the collective "you") stress you really need to get a life. I fly my trips, then go home and enjoy my family, friends, and hobbies. Nobody cares wether I call SAMC or TOMC for maintenance or what I think of the SLI.

 

Regularguy,

In a round about sort of way...thats what I was getting to. I never fly with the same guy consistently on my trips. I'm usually meeting the guy at departure time. I got a new Captain every time I passed thru a hub last time around. I think thats why guys don't give it much of a thought going to look for their partner at show time. At least that has been my experience on the 737.