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Captains that say "I'm laid back"

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I don't care what CAs proclaim themselves, nor do I care if I get a pre-trip briefing, because I don't think you can judge a guy by either of these. I also don't care if a guy is truly "by-the-book" or actually "laid-back." Both types can be enjoyable to fly with.

But don't be a hypocrite. Don't nit-pick my minor honest mistakes or inconsequential procedural flaws if you're making half your shizzle up as you go. It's tough to take you seriously or even like you very much if the standards apply to me on everything and you on nothing.
 
ReverseSensing said:
I don't care what CAs proclaim themselves, nor do I care if I get a pre-trip briefing, because I don't think you can judge a guy by either of these. I also don't care if a guy is truly "by-the-book" or actually "laid-back." Both types can be enjoyable to fly with.

But don't be a hypocrite. Don't nit-pick my minor honest mistakes or inconsequential procedural flaws if you're making half your shizzle up as you go. It's tough to take you seriously or even like you very much if the standards apply to me on everything and you on nothing.
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Amen!:beer:
 
How do you guys deal with bad captains? The ones that yell at you for doing things that are right etc. We have alot of these guys down south.
 
Varig said:
How do you guys deal with bad captains? The ones that yell at you for doing things that are right etc. We have alot of these guys down south.
Click to expand...

Is this worth being walked all over by some d0uche that has no life outside of the flightdeck? Just stand up for yourself and keep it professional.
 
What I've found, in the huge pool of CA's I've flown with at different companies, is that there is a subset minority of CA's who are basically insecure "nervous nellies" who micro-manage their FO's flying out of fear, and become ultra-territorial (never touch the OBS on my side, that's my switch.) They also have a big laundry list of little pet peeves (which are not in the FOM or AFM) that they advertise, either right away or usually, the first time their FO commits the dreaded faux pas. This in spite of their insistence on being "standard."

Granted, with some wet behind the ears (in experience, not necc. age) FO's this fear can be understandable, especially to a newly upgraded and/or inexperienced Captain, but if they let themselves become a nervous nellie, the FO gets distracted and demoralized, shuts down (CRM effectively ends), and tunnel visions into trying to avoid the nervous nellie peeves of the CA. They thereby create a vicious cycle - every FO they fly with is chopped at the knees and they end up creating a weak-CRM, error-prone hazard, and more ASAPs, Captain's reports and deviations/violations that perpetuate their insecurity.

By contrast, exceptional CA's are those who seem ultra laid back and completely professional at the same time (there is no conflict), never micro-managing things unless it's a true safety of flight issue. The FO then is a full, confident part of the team and the potential for error drops way off.

You can usually tell if a CA is a nervous nellie type as soon as you taxi a few feet.
 
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I fly by the book.. it's only a foot away in my flight case, I will try to be polite and only pass gas on my side of the cockpit.. we leave ten minutes early and arrive on time, except for the freedom leg. Any questions?
 
skyaddict,

Good post. I'll have to agree with you in all of those regards. Some CA's have the "god" complex as well. They are probably the nervous types but put the spin of bravado on it to cover up their discomfort.

I've found the best way to deal with all sorts is to be a good follower first. Let the captain dictate how he/she wants their flight deck run and roll with it. After all, this is just a job.

Best of all, all of these sorts of guys are lessons on how YOU don't want to conduct yourself. Keep these lessons close and don't forget where you came from. Trust your flight crew members but verify what they are doing.
 
the only time I want to hear "I'm laid back" is when a girl from the night before is describing the position she I had her to her best friends.

you know what i'm talking about and she saw my O-face!
 
ReverseSensing said:
I don't care what CAs proclaim themselves, nor do I care if I get a pre-trip briefing, because I don't think you can judge a guy by either of these. I also don't care if a guy is truly "by-the-book" or actually "laid-back." Both types can be enjoyable to fly with.

But don't be a hypocrite. Don't nit-pick my minor honest mistakes or inconsequential procedural flaws if you're making half your shizzle up as you go. It's tough to take you seriously or even like you very much if the standards apply to me on everything and you on nothing.
Click to expand...

You my good friend are very wise. That's so true, some guys give their FO's sh**** over the smallest stuff. But when they do stupid (big) stuff, then they always have an excuse prepared.
 
FL717 said:
If you fart... game on!
Click to expand...

Priceless.

Ok. In all seriousness, the crew briefing is the opportunity for the PIC to set the tone for the trip. It allows the PIC to set expectations for the SIC. Like it or not, not everyone is standard. Each Captain will have his or her own pet peeves.

I realize that i'm more anal than many of our pilots, so why not set the expectations of the person i'm flying with?

"I'd like us to try and follow the company SOP as much as possible, however do not hesitate to deviate from it if you feel we need to in the interest of safety. When it is your leg, you are in charge. Fly the airplane as if your Mom was in back. I do have a pet-peeve, I'd like to see takeoffs and landings on the centerline. I'm going to make mistakes, maybe big ones. You're not going to hurt my feelings if you bring them to my attention. I'll buy you a beer for every NASA/ASAP you keep us from having to write. I'm married so I no longer have any pride. Let me know when i'm screwing up.

The weather is.... Our alternate is.... Our route is...
The ____ is on the MEL... Airplane looked good on the walkaround? Sounds great. Any questions?"

Nope. Not laid back. At least not as much as I would like to have been when I was a copilot. But I hope that I share enough information to let the other pilot know what to expect.

I'm certainly open to suggestions if you folks have some good ideas though.

PS - Oh! and +2 on the poster who said consistency was king. Doesn't matter how your Captain acts, as long as he/she acts the same way for the whole trip and every time you fly with them. The SIC can adapt to any personality provided it is consistent.
 
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I'll be the first to admit to saying "laid back" in a briefing. All that really matters is how "laid back" you are when the stuff hits the fan. (calm, cool, collective) i.e. don't rush to make a bad descision.
And don't be afraid to change your mind (for the better) your the Captain, it's your right!
 
skyaddict said:
What I've found, in the huge pool of CA's I've flown with at different companies, is that there is a subset minority of CA's who are basically insecure "nervous nellies" who micro-manage their FO's flying out of fear, and become ultra-territorial (never touch the OBS on my side, that's my switch.) They also have a big laundry list of little pet peeves (which are not in the FOM or AFM) that they advertise, either right away or usually, the first time their FO commits the dreaded faux pas. This in spite of their insistence on being "standard."

Granted, with some wet behind the ears (in experience, not necc. age) FO's this fear can be understandable, especially to a newly upgraded and/or inexperienced Captain, but if they let themselves become a nervous nellie, the FO gets distracted and demoralized, shuts down (CRM effectively ends), and tunnel visions into trying to avoid the nervous nellie peeves of the CA. They thereby create a vicious cycle - every FO they fly with is chopped at the knees and they end up creating a weak-CRM, error-prone hazard, and more ASAPs, Captain's reports and deviations/violations that perpetuate their insecurity.

By contrast, exceptional CA's are those who seem ultra laid back and completely professional at the same time (there is no conflict), never micro-managing things unless it's a true safety of flight issue. The FO then is a full, confident part of the team and the potential for error drops way off.

You can usually tell if a CA is a nervous nellie type as soon as you taxi a few feet.
Click to expand...

Very good post. I totally agree with it. Down here we have lots of captains like that and also with the I am GOD attitude. I've gotten yelled at at 3am more than once for turning on the strobes when entering the runway and GOD said, you can't go on touching stuff on your own bla bla bla, even though it is written down in our SOP. Things like this happen all of the time here. I guess it's a culture problem. No CRM or very little. Flying like this day in and day out makes everyone stressed out and when the $hit hits the fan, GOD will be flying alone. People are way more professional in the States.
 
Bottom line:

Captain says "I'm pretty laid back", he usually isn't.

Captain says "I'm pretty laid back, but I like to keep things standard", you're screwed.
 
Here's my briefing for "Mr. Laidback"...

"Good Afternoon, how are we doing today....Great...Just do me one favor today....sit on your hands and don't talk and we should'nt have any problems...Alright then...see you in the plane"
 

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