What makes a good FR8 Pilot?

[Tonala2k]

I see this question on a lot of gouges and it worries me. Obviously if I want to be I should know what it takes, but I am still so unfamiliar with the industry that I can't think of anything beyond cliché. So to the FR8 pilots, what really makes a pilot stand out as an exceptional FR8 pilot. Not just so I can answer an interview question, but so I know what I'm getting myself into.

Thank you.

 

[Motive Flow]

Probably the same thing that makes a good pilot no matter where you work:

Good judgement.

 

[Wankel7]

Your ability to change your plan to meet the situation. But I guess that is universial.


Wankel

 

[CaravanMan]

Mmmm...that, and a pair of testicles.

 

[SPBRIAN]

The ability to sleep any time of the day and run your life on somebody else's schedule.

 

[mrvmo]

Must Like Asian Chicks!

 

[81Horse]

What makes a good FR8 Pilot?

A strong back and a weak mind.

 

[RedBelly]

1. You have been awake for 36 hours. You have been on duty for 20.
2. You are flying your 6th or 7th leg and have flown 12 hours so far.
3. The weather is horrible... 1/4 mile vis in snow & blowing snow.. the RVR is just good enough for the approach.
4. It is 3 am, so the plowing crews aren't really interested in keeping the runways clear. Nobobody has landed for hours, so no braking reports.
5. You have a 20 knot crosswind, with moderate turb. on the approach.
6. You are flying a 35+ year old jet... the autopilot or flight directors can't fly a decent approach, so you are flying raw data.
7. To top it all off, you are having a really bad day.

The definitive answer is: You land, the airplane is still useable, you go to the Red Roof/Super 8, etc. In 10 hours, you get to do it all over again.

 

[inline]

Ability to sleep anytime, anywhwere.

 

[Rip Vanwinkle]

You get the boxes where they're supposed to go without crashing. The chief pilot doesn't know your name.

Everything else is gravy.