Here's my list
- One who doesn't start a trip by saying:
"Well, I'm pretty laid back and I do everything standard. You see me doing something wrong, speak up. Ill do the same for you. All I ask is that you don't get me killed or violated."
That speech really bugs me for some reason. I usually turn and give the same speech back. I have had a CKA almost get me violated. It happens. People make mistakes. Learn from it. Move on....
- One that doesn't hand me the paperwork on EVERY turn and go and talk to the flight attendants. For the whole trip.
- One that doesn't nit pick every thing I do cause its not the way he does it, or that's not the way they did it on the 145. If you find something wrong with it, by all means. But there is more than one way to skin a cat.
- Dont make every flight seem like we are at Mission control and are ready to blast off to the moon. Its a fight to Boston. Lets get there safely, hopefully on time, and have some fun while we are at it. All the added stress will kill you.
Ha, this list may seem like a rant, but seriously I am really laid back and my favorite saying is "Its all good, man". People just add so much stress into this job and I have never understood why. Its not rocket science (cause we have jet engines HA!) and the job is only as hard as you make it.
BTW alittle back story as to why I hate the "first flight" speech.
When I was at Mesa, we had to bid to fly all month with CAs. I got a CA that was notoriously an ass. That was his first speech to me, except it went on..(and Im not kidding):
" Blah blah blah dont get me killed or violated. If you screw up, I will let you know about it. Remember, everything you see in this cockpit is mine. Instruments on your side? Mine, I sign for this bird. As long as you do what I say, Ill let you keep flying legs. And remember, there is only room for one ego in this cockpit, and its mine. Now give me an originating checklist."
And thats seriously it, to the letter.
And he wasnt joking.
That month was not fun.