Burden on Captain

[epic!]

I have a read numerous threads talking about how low time FO's can be a burden on their captain. What exactly is meant by this? I figured if someone can pass the interview, and complete training they are well qualified to operate the aircraft.

 

[~~~^~~~]

• As Captain, you are responsible for what your FO does. He is not usually even responsible for his own mistakes. His mistake is your mistake because although the authority to manipulate the controls has been delegated, the responsibility for the conduct of the flight remains with the Captain. With PRIA a deviation can follow you around the rest of your life, which is like, forever.....
• A few get through training who can’t fly the airplane.
• More get through training that are marginal (good in one area, weak in another). These are more dangerous because you tend to let your guard down, then get surprised.
• A First Officer is a necessary part of the crew. You rely on them to do their job professionally and accurately. If a person has been doing that job for a few years you are comfortable that they can perform the task. If they are new, you don’t have as much certainty.
• Low time pilots don’t understand what is important and what isn’t. For example an airplane will fly with 200lbs too much fuel. It won’t do crap with no fuel.
• Experience = Judgment = Value. There is a reason why the Captain gets paid four times what a new hire makes.
• First Officers often have the right answer and provide truly valuable, necessary assistance to the Captain.

Things can so wrong, so quickly, in the airline environment that it is a burden to have to do your job, plus train someone, or watch them closely. The article I posted on the Air France A330 crash was a good example of a stabilized approach until the last 24 seconds of the flight. Both the First Officer and Captain had probably 10 seconds to make the right decision, which they (collectively) failed to do. I have no idea the experience of the crew, but new hires don’t always have the judgment (usually) to make good calls when the chips are down.

Of course the shoe can be on the other foot, when a seasoned First Officer gets paired with a recently upgrading Captain off other equipment. The same concerns are reversed (but the pay isn’t)..

I will someday again be a new hire First Officer and know that there will be a learning curve involved. When sitting in the right seat I will look to my left knowing I am flying on another pilot's Certificate and understand why that fourth stripe can be heavy. The only difference between this time and the first time I was a new FO, is now I know what I don't know and realize the best reply to a Captain who corrects my flying, or procedures, is a friendly "Thanks."

 

[Rally]

In the sim you are not faced with minute to minute evolving scenerios like the line. Taxing at JFK for instance, or day 5 of a trip and a taxi through JFK,crappy weather, not alot of sleep, then DING "master caution" . I think its just a overall lack of experience, making decisions etc You probably need at least 1000 TT to be a FO in a jet.

 

[labbats]

There's ground school/sim and then there's real life.

At any job it's harder to work with a new hire than someone who can see the big picture. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with that. We were all newhires at one point.

 

[chimichanga]

I figured if someone can pass the interview, and complete training they are well qualified to operate the aircraft.

That's what we'd all like to think, but there are a few that slip through the cracks. When the captain expends so much energy and attention making sure the other guy isn't doing something wrong that he can't adequately do his own job, that's a burden.

 

[epic!]

Thanks for the responses. I am thinking of entering the regional world soon and want to be aware of all the challenges and concerns that myself and others may deal with.

 

[DX Rick]

Do everything the way you were taught, and you should be fine. Be an active member, but know when to shut up.
I would rather ask questions, than just go ahead and doing something. For instance I always ask (since im 5 months off IOE) "Want the wings and cowls" when where required to have them on, instead of just flipping switches. Or when landing, you get the 50ft call out, and you look at him and said "Can I get that gear down for you?" Maybe he doesn't want it, because he wants to shoot another approach.
He knows you're new and is cautious as to what you're doing in the first place.

I think the biggest way you can be a burden on any captain is to start off the day with "Did you read what they said on Flightinfo last night?" He might wanna choke you.

 

[buxflyr]

• As Captain, you are responsible for what your FO does. He is not usually even responsible for his own mistakes. His mistake is your mistake because although the authority to manipulate the controls has been delegated, the responsibility for the conduct of the flight remains with the Captain. With PRIA a deviation can follow you around the rest of your life, which is like, forever.....
• A few get through training who can’t fly the airplane.
• More get through training that are marginal (good in one area, weak in another). These are more dangerous because you tend to let your guard down, then get surprised.
• A First Officer is a necessary part of the crew. You rely on them to do their job professionally and accurately. If a person has been doing that job for a few years you are comfortable that they can perform the task. If they are new, you don’t have as much certainty.
• Low time pilots don’t understand what is important and what isn’t. For example an airplane will fly with 200lbs too much fuel. It won’t do crap with no fuel.
• Experience = Judgment = Value. There is a reason why the Captain gets paid four times what a new hire makes.
• First Officers often have the right answer and provide truly valuable, necessary assistance to the Captain.

Things can so wrong, so quickly, in the airline environment that it is a burden to have to do your job, plus train someone, or watch them closely. The article I posted on the Air France A330 crash was a good example of a stabilized approach until the last 24 seconds of the flight. Both the First Officer and Captain had probably 10 seconds to make the right decision, which they (collectively) failed to do. I have no idea the experience of the crew, but new hires don’t always have the judgment (usually) to make good calls when the chips are down.

Of course the shoe can be on the other foot, when a seasoned First Officer gets paired with a recently upgrading Captain off other equipment. The same concerns are reversed (but the pay isn’t)..

I will someday again be a new hire First Officer and know that there will be a learning curve involved. When sitting in the right seat I will look to my left knowing I am flying on another pilot's Certificate and understand why that fourth stripe can be heavy. The only difference between this time and the first time I was a new FO, is now I know what I don't know and realize the best reply to a Captain who corrects my flying, or procedures, is a friendly "Thanks."

This is an excellent post.

I am a FO and agree with every point except for one. I fly as professionally as I possibly can at all times. The captains points, tips, rules to follow from experience, etc. are invaluable, but I also always remember that I will do my job the way I was trained, the way I know how and the way I am expected to...because I am flying on MY certificate as well.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Most FO's don't want to learn Just sit there and look cool with the Ipod connected. If the Captain tries to point something out, the reaction is like- whatever. It sucks BIG TIME being an RJ captain trying to keep afloat in a massive sea of incompetence. It's EVERYWHERE in the industry, but concentrated at the regional level.

Now put the Ipod back on and get back to business of hair gel and skanky stewardesses.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

If you can't handle your FO then bid back to FO or call the school house and request more training....

Complaining about your FO shows a lack of confidence on your part...not theirs....