Pilot and Mechanic Relationships

[helimech]

i agree that the best thing to do is to clean house. I've been the DOM for our company for awhile and before that I was the lead mechanic for 4 years, so it allowed me to sit back and watch how the big wigs wanted things ran. I watched 3 DOM's come through this place in the 5 years that I have been here. Every single one had their own little idea of how to run the place and it usually turned out to bite them in the rear. First off, the director of flight ops HAS to get along with the DOM, they at least have to keep a "good" line of communication between them. For awhile I had some problems with a few pilots, because i changed the way a few things were taking place and nobody likes change especially when they can't sit on their butts anymore (not an attack against pilots, just to long of a story to tell). If the DO gets along with the DOM, then that allows smoother interaction between all of the pilots, no matter how many you have. The doughnuts thing is nice and wing-walking is nice too, but don't ever look down on teh mechanics. Chances are they know more about the aircraft that you will ever and it's their job to do so. You also have to trust them, if you don't, then definately sit down with the DOM and talk about it, explain everything. You guys may have long hours, but what about the mechanics when they are there until 5 am so you can take the boss to the Bahamas. I'm not a pilot basher, I'm a pilot myself, I could go out and compete with a lot of you guys for a nice Captain position, I choose to be a mechanic, because I love what I do. Just try and get along and don't be afraid to suck up your pride every once in awhile, say thanks, I gaurantee that if you get along with you maintenance staff that you will feel more comfortable about doing your job and not having to worry about the safety of the aircraft. Remember, the aircraft always belongs to the mechanic, they just let you borrow it.

 

[G100driver]

helimech, GREAT POST. I have tried it both ways and you speak the truth. Our mechs and pilots play the pilot vs mech game all the time, but at the end of the day it is all about the mission. WE are all a team and WE all have to help each other. WE will all look like idiots if in-fighting prevents US from completing the mission.

 

[fly4kix]

Helimech, I think you said it better than anyone else could have. Great post, strife amongst maint. and flight crews has brought down more than a few good dept's. (no pun intended)

 

[Gatorman]

pilot -vs- mech?

Well, at a company I was working for a while back, the president of the company thought it to be a good idea for all of the maintenance dept and all if the pilots that were available, go to TBC Team building Concepts. It is an indoor go-cart track off of I-35 in Dallas. We have a good time, but then again, the mechs and the pilots got alone anyway. The company also treated us for cookouts and birthday parties.

Where I am at now (a CRS) we might get the whole company together for a 'state of the union address'.

I too have come across a few scarf and stoggie pilots that thought I did not know which way to turn a wrench. Fortunately they might not come back here again......listen to this:

The aircraft has just landed and was pulling up on the ramp with the left thrust reverser out and the engine shut down. I ran out to look over the T/R and did not see and damage. I then went up inside the plane and asked what happened. The PIC told me that the T/R would not stow. I asked him if he used the EMER STOW and he said (here is the kicker) "Now why would I want to do that for?"

Here's your sign