Crew member as a 3rd wheel...

[XSWANN@240]

Horrible advice. In the meantime, while the Capt and the FA are acting unprofessional in full view of paying passengers, the FO is just supposed to bury his head in the sand, and ignore the situation. Real professional....great CRM.

Many times I have brought it to their attention telling them "This is not the place nor time. We have a job to do." But I grow tired of doing this.

Also, this issue is compounded because the Captain is the Chief Pilot. So, I have no choice to keep biting my tongue and continue looking for other employment.

So, thanks to all who responded with some serious advice and funny ones too!

thanks again...

 

[BizAvFA]

Are you above or below the Mason-Dixon line?

These situations do take care of themselves and everyone loves a trainwreck!

 

[Freight Dog]

XSWANN,

Being a 'slam-clicker' is not the right approach; instead, set the example for professionalism. Invite the captain to a meeting (over dinner, in the hotel room, doesn't matter) regarding concerns of yours. At the meeting, cover the basic points:

If they are arguing like husband and wife in front of passengers,

1. They are acting unprofessionally, embarrassing themselves, you, and the company in the process

2. A passenger at some point will eventually complain, leading to negative consequences professionally

3. Their open behavior will ultimately lead to being found out by their respective spouses, leading to negative consequences personally

4. As captain, and ESPECIALLY as chief pilot, he sets the standards for all pilots. He is supposed to be leading by example, meaning a GOOD example.
(Frankly, he should apologize to you for putting you in this position, but the most you can hope for is a change in behavior.)

I would leave it to him as captain and chief pilot to take care of talking to the flight attendant.

 

[400A]

XSWANN,

Being a 'slam-clicker' is not the right approach; instead, set the example for professionalism. Invite the captain to a meeting (over dinner, in the hotel room, doesn't matter) regarding concerns of yours. At the meeting, cover the basic points:

If they are arguing like husband and wife in front of passengers,

1. They are acting unprofessionally, embarrassing themselves, you, and the company in the process

2. A passenger at some point will eventually complain, leading to negative consequences professionally

3. Their open behavior will ultimately lead to being found out by their respective spouses, leading to negative consequences personally

4. As captain, and ESPECIALLY as chief pilot, he sets the standards for all pilots. He is supposed to be leading by example, meaning a GOOD example.
(Frankly, he should apologize to you for putting you in this position, but the most you can hope for is a change in behavior.)

I would leave it to him as captain and chief pilot to take care of talking to the flight attendant.

Very well said!!

 

[Archie Bunker]

Outstanding response Freight Dog!

 

[Guitar rocker]

It is when the Captain asks you to take the stick!

Yah, then it sure would be. That would be a terrible scenario. I think that that if that happened, I might get on 121.5 and declare an emergency!

 

[400A]

Yah, then it sure would be. That would be a terrible scenario. I think that that if that happened, I might get on 121.5 and declare an emergency!

That is not the stick he was talking about.

 

[Guitar rocker]

That is not the stick he was talking about.

Well, if it was, then it's worth the 121.5 call. But, if not, then it's time to take out the digital camera with video.

 

[FlyFlyFly]

Time to go to Foggy Bottom

Freight Dog hit it on the head. The captain knows full well that he is acting unprofessionally. Whether he will admit it or not is irrelevant. The key to your conversation is to SEPERATE THE PERSON FROM THE BEHAVIOR. To minimize the possibility of the Chief becomeing unreasonable, you need to find a way to discuss the behavior itself as if it existed on its own, and avoid you or her statements.

Diplomacy is a new skill to me, but this step is important and a skill that will serve you well as you move through your career. If you have a mentor, you may want to sit down and rehearse the talk. This could go a long way toward helping you stay on task in the talk. Written notes and a briefing to the Chief on exactly what you want to discuss would be helpful so you can steer the conversation back on line if it strays.

You also need to begin with the end in mind. Where do you want to wind up? What do you want to have happen? How would you like things to be afterward? You may even go so far as to state these. I would not recommend that "you need to quit hosing the FA" as one of them. That you need to just accept and deal with, and like most have said, wait for the inevitable trainwreck.

So that when your boss's boss asks if you knew about it and why you didn't come to him, you need to have your actions documented. Again, written docs are best, emails, notes, dates and times of incidents and your efforts to address unprofessional behavior need to be on paper away from the office. This way, if you have to go to the mat, you are prepared and more credible than a hemming and hawing Chief.

Lastly, set an impeccable standard for your own behavior and do not wander from it.