instanthappy
Well-Known Member
Looking for ideas on good questions to ask to keep the conversation flowing (crew permitting). Hit me with your suggestions!
Questions to ask in Flight Deck observation
- Thread starter instanthappy
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Stanimal
Well-Known Member
Politics, company contracts, possible mergers.... But really, I liked to ask about their complaints and suggestions on how I or DX can improve on whatever they see needs improvement. Sometimes they will tell you something that you never even thought of. I also like to give them secret codes to let them know they are about get a call from crew scheduling and get some news they might not like. "hey your acars isnt working anymore or when you land"
flynryan692
Well-Known Member
I once had a Captain that was uninterested in talking to me at all. He turned to his shoulder to me and the FO talking about flying and when asked anything it was short, one word answers and no engagement. Just staired out the side of the window. The FO later was asking him if he had went on some fishing trip, so I asked him about fishing and had a little conversation about fishing. Now he was suddenly interested in talking to me and not turning his shoulder. Get those important shop questions out there if you have them, but just remember it doesn't have to be all business, forming a relationship goes a long way. That Captain remembered me and was always friendly with me when he called.
Screaming_Emu
Well-Known Member
“So…you live near the airport?”
Just had a dispatcher ride along with us from ANC-MIA. Was awesome to have him.
Just had a dispatcher ride along with us from ANC-MIA. Was awesome to have him.
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F9DXER
Well-Known Member
I rode up front with a new CA, she asked what was one of our biggest pet peeves about pilots. I stated, a lot of times it seems no one reads the release until after they are in the air. Which is funny, since the first remark I put on the release is "Call Dispatch.'
I gave some other tips, when using ARINC, be mindful of where your flight is, in relation to frequencies used. Try not to call if you will need to change the frequency in 10 min. Also gave her an example where I flight had asked me to call them. The flight was in northern IL/southern WI, headed west. If you look at the ARINC map, that is where 3 frequencies meet. Well the first two were in use and the flight was out of range for the third for another 15 min. Crew was getting mad that I wasn't calling them. Sent them an acars about what was going on and they could either wait a bit or start typing.
Yes there are some CA that are having a bad day for whatever reason and those rides are the worst. That's why you put games on your phone.
Overall, the good ones totally out weigh the ones having a rough time. There is always something to talk about. Like it previously stated, keep the communication line open.
I gave some other tips, when using ARINC, be mindful of where your flight is, in relation to frequencies used. Try not to call if you will need to change the frequency in 10 min. Also gave her an example where I flight had asked me to call them. The flight was in northern IL/southern WI, headed west. If you look at the ARINC map, that is where 3 frequencies meet. Well the first two were in use and the flight was out of range for the third for another 15 min. Crew was getting mad that I wasn't calling them. Sent them an acars about what was going on and they could either wait a bit or start typing.
Yes there are some CA that are having a bad day for whatever reason and those rides are the worst. That's why you put games on your phone.
Overall, the good ones totally out weigh the ones having a rough time. There is always something to talk about. Like it previously stated, keep the communication line open.
coloradopowpow
Well-Known Member
My peeve is pulling up the altitude profile or seeing them on approach and seeing that they changed flight levels by a considerable amount without telling dispatch, against our policy. Like, I get it, it's annoying to tell us but also that communication is so important and cutting us out is frustrating. Or just trying to troubleshoot MX without actually calling us first, causing huge delays (has happened more than you'd think). Or just not responding to anything.
Some pilots have told me they have no idea we can ping their fuel lol. I really wish they were required to observe us 5hrs/yr. It would help SO much.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
It’s a nice idea in theory, would never work in actuality due to the number of pilots vs. the number of dispatchers. Of course, any interested pilot is always welcome to visit and sit with us though! But as far as it being a once-a-year requirement thing…I’d be shocked if that ever happened.
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
Should be captains at the least
Make them sit on the floor around a rolling CRT tv stand like we did in junior high PE class and watch a 5 hour dispatch documentary at least…
