Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians...

[Dude]

Sorry, but I gotta get somethin' off the chest. There are way too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in the 121 biz. The last time I checked, I am the only one that's going to get my ass in a crease if I do something stupid or at least interpereted that way. When I pull up to the gate for a turn, the gate agent thinks he's the chief. If I have maintenance, the mechanic thinks he's the chief. If there's a FAM on board or any degree of fed employee, they obviously are under the dillusion that they're chief. Who am I, just the jack ass that pushes buttons and operates the tiller? NO! I AM THE CHIEF. There is no room for interperetation on this matter. Capts, take control of your environment and BE THE CAPT. FOs, back him up. Everyone else is an Indian. They'll get what they need when the two guys up front determine they need it. The folks up front are the reason grandkids get to their grandparents safely and hopefully on time.

Forgive the rant. I'm going to have a stroke now.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

YES CAPT.

YOU are all that matters, YOU make sure its ready to roll, YOU make sure it gets there safe, YOU make sure it pulls up to the gate on time, YOU are responsible for all those helpless souls in the back. its YOUR butt on the line.

YOU ARE THE CHIEF....???

Get over yourself.

You are PAID to fly that plane safely. This is expected of you. Just do your job and try to get along with everyone else who also makes that operation happen. Its not just you. If the maint guy say you aren't going anywhere...guess what CHIEF...you're NOT...IF that FAA guys says park it...guess what CHIEF...you're parking it...

You sound like a very nervous Captain.

Dont kid yourself, you are not doing anything miraculous here chief, you are flying an airplane - a monkey can practically do it.

 

[rice]

Let the Fur Start Flying!!!

This should be fun to watch

 

[mar]

Wise words from a previous boss.

When I interviewed for my first 135 job the chief pilot told me: "When you get out there, you're gonna have all the responsibility and none of the authority."

I had no idea what he meant.

Almost nine years later that comment still rings in my head.

As far as my authority when I deal with mechanics....? Well, brother, as far as I'm concerned that crate belongs to them and I just get to borrow it for a few hours.

Fly safe.

 

[LJDRVR]

Sounds like maybe a confidence "thing" dude.

Of course you're in charge. Who cares if someone else wants to act like they are?

I can sense your fustration bro, so let's try to examine your dilema here a bit more closely. What about these folks actions and/or demeanor causes you grief? Are they really trying to make decisions for you? Or maybe are they just trying to be proactive in an incompetent and annoying fashion? At the end of the day the only people who truly share authority are you and the dispatcher. When it comes down to who is held ultimately responsible, the answer is of course, yourself. FAM has an attitude to go with the gun? So what. If he oversteps his authority, file a complaint. Mechanic reminding everyone within earshot that the jet is released when he says it's released? Good! You're fortunate to have a guy with the cajones to take responsibility for his work and the airworthiness of the aircraft. You're lucky. I've got knucklheads who won't give me a straight answer because they don't wan't to get in trouble if I say bring me another airplane. For example:

"Is this condition airworthy?

"I'd fly with it." responds the mechanic

"That's not what I asked, would you release this jet from maintenance with this condition?" I reply

"Nothings been written up yet, I'm not releasing it." he waffles, grinning like a dope

You get the picture. Without more info, I'm not sure what your best course of action would be. I do know it's easy to focus on the negative and forget that once the towbar is disconnected, it really is your show. (More or less)

What type of things are occuring?

 

[avbug]

Dude,

(I can't post that without feeling like a 20 year old rubber boned surfer), so long as you're the center of the universe, how about performing all the dispatch functions, for a a change? Get our own weather, get your own manifiest. You go file the weight and balance. Hurry, because you're due behind the gate to check in passengers and baggage. Don't waste too much time there, because you'll need to slip on some coveralls to take responsibility for ensuring that all gripes and squawks are handled and signed for release (you WILL release it, won't you??).

It's apparent you've never been, or flown with a flight engineer. You'd know that the FE owns the airplane, and the captain just borrows it for a while. It's obvious you're not a certificated dispatcher or mechanic, either.

Try walking a mile in the other guys shoes. A mechanic for example. The mechanic has much greather breadth of technical knowledge and training than you, and more overall responsibility, with far more areas of liability. More regulation, more detail, more training, for lower pay, longer hours, worse working conditions, and far less recognition. But you go right ahead and be the boss.

For me, leadership has always been equitable to service. The higher the leadership position, the greater the degree of service you give to those under you. Be willing to do what they do, be willing to bend over backward to help them do their job, and recognize their effort.

Will you be shaving your legs today while you work first class as a flight attendant? How about stripping off that little tacky gold braid to go sit in back and play FAM. It's you against eleven attackers, and you have 120 hostages to contend with to boot. Three, two one, set. You're on. Whatcha gonna do? Who are you going to kill first? Hesitate and die, along with everyone else. What? You didn't move yet? Ah, that's right. It's the captain of the aircraf that's in charge. I forgot.

Move over God. The PIC has just been elected for your position. Sorry. Perhaps in the next life.

What's that they say about the difference between God and a pilot? At least God doesn't think he's a pilot.

 

[flyingwildfires]

yeah, yeah..

This is a good post. Like most of you folks, I have felt both sides.

I'm lucky. I can honestly say I have mechanics I would kill for.

Which is juuuuuuuust how I like it.......