Burden on Captain

[BigPappa]

Ok mister FOUR stripes lets jump of that high horse. And now that we are with both feet standing in the world called reality:

1. Both crews are responsible for safe conduct of that flight, and therefore both can be violated (recent example where an FO was flying and busted 10K, FO was violated captain was not!)

2. If you act like you know what you are doing (which means LEAD) the FO will follow and might even look up to you! If you are a looser that whines all the time and are not confident in your own skills then you will be looked upon as a looser with four stripes. BE the CAPTAIN, don't ACT!

Last week overheard a captain calling the dispatcher to see what they needed to do and what checklist to run (L).

If your always complain about your FOs then maybe your problem might be in your CRM skills!

 

[TAWS]

I don't think captains EVER screw up ..................... mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Well, there was that time that the captain overulled me and we ended up filing ASAPs, or that time that I screwed up and we ended up filing ASAPs.

Point being: we all screw up, team players don't point fingers - they stick together and solve problems, regardless of who caused it!

On another note: I feel sorry for the captains at PSA, 9E and other places, as they get all the 300hr wunderkind (sp) - you guys should all get check airman's pay!!

 

[BLing]

Lets talk about the CA who is a burden on the FO! Ive been there and its not fun having to baby sit somebody (usally a chick) that has been around for a while. That shouldnt be any FO's job! Its amazing how some CA's havent figured out there is more to it than being good with the paper work and call outs!

 

[Jmoney]

New People

I know-it is a two-way street.
I think what people are getting at is that low-time guys really aren't ready for this. It is a steep hill to climb to get used to this stuff and it at least helps if you are comfortable working the radio and doing basic stuff. No matter what experience you have, the systems are a handful sometimes, the work environment is very busy, and having the basics down really helps. Most people aren't great at the basics with only a couple hundred hours.
Captains make mistakes too, but at least they usually don't have to worry too much about how to work the radio-that can be distracting.

 

[epic!]

On another note: I feel sorry for the captains at PSA, 9E and other places, as they get all the 300hr wunderkind (sp) - you guys should all get check airman's pay!!

Thats why I am asking. I don't want the captain to think of me as incompetent. I understand that I still have a lot to learn, but I feel that if I can land the job and complete training then my captain shouldn't worry. Or maybe I am just being naive.

 

[flyboyike]

You probably need at least 1000 TT to be a FO in a jet.

Oh good, I was starting to think I don't have what it takes.

 

[indianboy7]

Thats why I am asking. I don't want the captain to think of me as incompetent. I understand that I still have a lot to learn, but I feel that if I can land the job and complete training then my captain shouldn't worry. Or maybe I am just being naive.

Theres learning always going on for both pilots, and most captains understand that. What you as a low time FO has to realize is that you have to ask questions whenever you encounter something you don't know how to handle. If the captain has to mind-read and then correct for your mistakes, it becomes a problem.

I always tell my crew that at no time should there be any question about what each crewmember is going to do. What I've seen in a lot of new FO's is that they don't know when to communicate...anything. It's not because they're incompetent, it's because they just don't have enough experience to know when to speak up.

Just do your job as you were trained. Stay focused every second that airplane is moving (no ipods, dvd players or talking about the ugly F/A until you're both sitting there with absolutely nothing to do). It'll be a long time until you're comfortable, so pay attention and learn as much as you can.

 

[Harmattan96]

Thats why I am asking. I don't want the captain to think of me as incompetent. I understand that I still have a lot to learn, but I feel that if I can land the job and complete training then my captain shouldn't worry. Or maybe I am just being naive.

Epic, you are right now displaying the required skill necessary to continue this journey into aviation. A good aviator is one that is aware of how much he/she does NOT know rather than the opposite. Should completion of interview/training/IOE and other junk prove for you to be competent to operate in the capacity that you will be hired for? NO! Never has and never will, but the mere fact that you inquire about it shows that you are in the right state of mind to learn, on the go, armed with the skills that you currently posses.

 

[vectorvictor]

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.

First off, I'm from New Jersey so were off to a bad start.

In general low time FO's have less experience (both in the airplane and in life) than more senior seasoned guys. The goal of training is to reach the minimum standard of safety. Kind of like the day after you get your private ticket; it's a license to learn. In the meantime the Captain's workload goes up making sure your not being an itiot. It can make for a long day, especially if the FO is an itiot and arrogant at the same time. You'd be surprised how many are quite good at it.

My advice: Be nice and try not to be an itiot.


VV

 

[CA1900]

In the meantime the Captain's workload goes up making sure your not being an itiot. It can make for a long day, especially if the FO is an itiot and arrogant at the same time. You'd be surprised how many are quite good at it.

My advice: Be nice and try not to be an itiot.

Oh, sweet irony... It never fails!