If I knew then...

[nev-air mind]

"If I knew then what I know now..."

Any advice worth sharing for the new regional FO? I certainly believe in learning from others' mistakes!

 

[wahoo250]

get a degree in something else and never stop sending out resumes

 

[Cardinal]

Don't buy the long-sleeve uniform shirt. It'll just take up space in your closet.

 

[Axel]

know your contract
fly then grieve unless you are on contractual bedrock (and off probation)
stand your ground on contract issues
follow SOP even if your CA doesn't
don't date flight attendants (this encompasses every possible gender issue, gender combination or combination of gender issues)
show up in the lobby 5 minutes before van-time
don't do anything that can get the rest of the crew in trouble (on or off duty)
don't let the rest of the crew do anything that can get you in trouble (on or off duty)
learn something new every day (every leg if possible)
expedite if necessary, but never rush

 

[ReverseSensing]

Don't buy the long-sleeve uniform shirt. It'll just take up space in your closet.

And get shirts with a collar about a half inch too big.

 

[SparkthePotato]

Make sure to always smile, reeeeeel big for the passengers, and start to get to like other people kids asking waaaaay to many questions

 

[BoilerUP]

Make sure you eat at least one decent meal per day, be it lunch or dinner.

Spend a few bucks and get a good flight bag and rollaboard.

The contract - know it, love it, live it.

Don't b!tch about being paid like a professional if you don't dress and act like one (ie wear the hat, iron your shirts, shave, don't curse loudly in public, etc.)

Tread lightly with crew scheduling; getting any kind of a repore with one or more could work to your advantage.

AND FINALLY

Help others out if you can with trip drops/trades, especially with family issues. Flying is your JOB, not your LIFE. Have fun!

 

[COOPERVANE]

Stay humble, don't think you are superpilot after only 1000 hours in an RJ

Start thinking like a captain, but let the guy in the left seat BE the captain

Be polite to the FA's

Get EVERYTHING done early (paperwork/walkaround/W&B etc)

Make your captain look good

Drink lots of water. Buy some of that "drink on the go" drink powder. They split perfectly into 2 8oz water bottles

DO NOT get sucked into bitching about your job/upgrade time/pay/commuting, etc.. you knew what you were getting into (you should have anyway)

Learn everything you can while sitting in that right seat. It is too easy to sit there and defer every aspect of the flight to the captain. Learn from the good ones and integrate what you like about them into your personal style when you upgrade. Learn from the bad ones, and avoid becoming what you don't like about them.

 

[flyer172r]

Flying is your JOB, not your LIFE. Have fun!

That can't be emphasized enough.

Be nice to crew schedulers. They have a crappy job, not properly trained at all, and most of them are decent people if you're nice to them. Hate the system, don't hate the people who work there. Just don't let them push you around. Know the contract, live by it and make them live by it, just don't be mean in the process.

Bring some snacks with you. You never know when having a cereal bar stuck in your flight bag can come in handy.

 

[subin30]

probably the best advice i've read on this forum for all FO's like myself. even when you are in the majors.

make the most of it. even at a crappy regional.

Stay humble, don't think you are superpilot after only 1000 hours in an RJ

Start thinking like a captain, but let the guy in the left seat BE the captain

Be polite to the FA's

Get EVERYTHING done early (paperwork/walkaround/W&B etc)

Make your captain look good

DO NOT get sucked into bitching about your job/upgrade time/pay/commuting, etc.. you knew what you were getting into (you should have anyway)

Learn everything you can while sitting in that right seat. It is too easy to sit there and defer every aspect of the flight to the captain. Learn from the good ones and integrate what you like about them into your personal style when you upgrade. Learn from the bad ones, and avoid becoming what you don't like about them.

 

[Blucher]

1) Grab an extra cockpit trash bag and keep it in your overnight bag so you can keep you dirty clothes away from your clean ones (especially important if you work out on the road...also something you should do).

2) Don't be too sensitive and try not to get too worked up about things. Remember, the most common reason a Cpt is being a jerk is because he/she doesn't have confidence in themselves, it's not necessarily that they don't like you/think you can't fly/think you're stupid/etc...

3) Also, as you gain more experience, be patient with new cpt's. Good captains aren't born that way, they need to learn it. Remember things you saw both really good and really bad captains do and try to take from that the good and leave out the bad for when you upgrade (it will happen after you expect it but, sooner than you think).

4) Always act appropriately in public when in uniform. Do not swear, pick your nose, leave your tie loose, scratch yourself, etc... I know this should go without saying, but unfortunately some people do need to be told this.

5) If at some point you feel like you know everything there is to know about aviation, take a vacation...you've officially become dangerous. Every flight is an opportunity to improve, take advantage of it.

6) Settle any/all arguments on the ground.

7) Have fun.

Welcome to 121 operations, please enjoy your stay. Congratulations on getting the job. Where are you working?
-Blucher:beer:

 

[Otto Coarsen]

And get shirts with a collar about a half inch too big.

I have to remember this next time I'm due for new shirts... EVERY TIME, over the past 7 years, I've ordered shirts I seem to forget and not get a larger collar size. Then, EVERY TIME I regret this decision. I keep getting fatter and fatter or something. I cant even button the top button on shirts I ordered last november.

 

[ReverseSensing]

I keep getting fatter and fatter or something.

That may be your problem, but I swear the dry cleaner is shrinking my shirts.

 

[D'Angelo]

Never ever let the union intimidate you. Do whats best for you first. Be not afraid to tell them to pound sand if you disagree with something they say. If you agree with them fine but dont be afraid to voice your own opinion. No matter what the mob mentality tries to do to you. If they try to use violence and intimidation, try to have them prosecuted under the RICO statutes.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

"If I knew then what I know now..."

Any advice worth sharing for the new regional FO? I certainly believe in learning from others' mistakes!

You already made the same mistake if you're in the industry. :erm:

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Bring a camera on all your flights. This way, you can post them on your blog.

...and make sure you have tool written all over you when you pose for them.

 

[FlyBunny]

Stay humble, don't think you are superpilot after only 1000 hours in an RJ

Start thinking like a captain, but let the guy in the left seat BE the captain

Be polite to the FA's

Get EVERYTHING done early (paperwork/walkaround/W&B etc)

Make your captain look good

Drink lots of water. Buy some of that "drink on the go" drink powder. They split perfectly into 2 8oz water bottles

DO NOT get sucked into bitching about your job/upgrade time/pay/commuting, etc.. you knew what you were getting into (you should have anyway)

Learn everything you can while sitting in that right seat. It is too easy to sit there and defer every aspect of the flight to the captain. Learn from the good ones and integrate what you like about them into your personal style when you upgrade. Learn from the bad ones, and avoid becoming what you don't like about them.

So refreshing to see positive feedback!

Bunny

 

[coolyokeluke]

"If I knew then what I know now..."

Any advice worth sharing for the new regional FO? I certainly believe in learning from others' mistakes!

It's very easy to gain weight in this job if you're not careful. The disrupted sleep schedules, sitting around all day, little time to eat/fast food courts, etc. Try to pack a granola bar or apple or something like that in your crew bag. The salads at McD's aren't bad if you need something healthy on the go. Try to exercise (run, treadmill, go out for a walk, etc.) when you have some time at your overnights. It will make you feel better.

 

[jayme]

Never ever let the union intimidate you. Do whats best for you first. Be not afraid to tell them to pound sand if you disagree with something they say. If you agree with them fine but dont be afraid to voice your own opinion. No matter what the mob mentality tries to do to you. If they try to use violence and intimidation, try to have them prosecuted under the RICO statutes.

Good lord, is this guy a tool.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Never ever let the union intimidate you. Do whats best for you first. Be not afraid to tell them to pound sand if you disagree with something they say. If you agree with them fine but dont be afraid to voice your own opinion. No matter what the mob mentality tries to do to you. If they try to use violence and intimidation, try to have them prosecuted under the RICO statutes.

And be sure to shine the CEO's shoes after you wash his car on weekends.

 

[MEL'ed]

Bring a camera on all your flights. This way, you can post them on your blog.

...and make sure you have tool written all over you when you pose for them.

This guy is the real tool. I normally keep a digital camera with me, although I don't post my pics all over the internet. You never know when you'll see something interesting you want to take a picture of, and share with friends and family. There really is a lot to see. You are always on the go traveling, and who doesn't travel with a camera? Just cause you take pictures doesn't make you a tool, regardless of what others say. My best advice is to ignore over half of what you hear. Mainly people complaining about the job and rumors. Don't let their grumpiness bring you down, and don't believe a rumor until you see it. Everything else said earlier is great advice and maybe current employees should read over it again and start doing some of it. Fly safe and enjoy it.

 

[Occam's Razor]

Never ever let the union intimidate you.

Sounds like the voice of experience!

Let everyone else intimidate you, though...right?

Do whats best for you first.

A good rule! Use it with your spouse, your kids, and your friends. Let all those leeches know that all their petty issues take a backseat to those of Numero Uno!

Be not afraid to tell them to pound sand if you disagree with something they say.

If fact, do that with everybody! Chief Pilot look at your "funny"? Tell him to "pound sand!" Your captain tell you "gear up!"...tell that union member dork to "pound sand!".

And when you get called in for doing something stupid, don't call your union. Tell the company lawyers to "pound sand!"

If you agree with them fine but dont be afraid to voice your own opinion. No matter what the mob mentality tries to do to you. If they try to use violence and intimidation, try to have them prosecuted under the RICO statutes.

Or shoot 'em! Twice. Yeah...that's it! That'll teach those union scum the way it works! Screw RICO. If you think they don't like you (although I can't imagine why) stab them with your shiv.

B!tches!

 

[flyer172r]

Take a small bag or backpack (no, this is not meant to re-start the backpack debate). Take a change of clothes and leave it in the backpack full time (unless of course you have to use them). That way, whenever you get called for a day trip or for airport reserve, you can take the backpack, throw it into your rollaboard, zip it up and you're ready to go. It's quick and convenient, and if you get stuck on an unplanned overnight (it happens), you don't have to worry about not having anything to change in to.

 

[Geronimo4497]

"If I knew then what I know now..."

Any advice worth sharing for the new regional FO? I certainly believe in learning from others' mistakes!

Stop reading the Regionals section of FI.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

And be sure to shine the CEO's shoes after you wash his car on weekends.

That's not the only thing I heard he polishes! :0