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Old 9th May 2009, 18:41   #37 (permalink)
Bealzebub
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,277
Quote:
Flew with a guy the other day who took my kneeboard off the stowage place and then tried to give it to me to put back! me had his arm shrunk in the intervening 30 seconds! Then he spends the rest of the day putting stuff on my seat everytime I got out of it. Then... well I could go on but I won't.
I am not sure what "stowage place" you mean, but let me ask you to consider this. I am often astonished by the number of people who think the centre pedestal is some sort of coffee table. On to which should be placed any combination of their sunglasses, paperback book, mobile phone, biscuits, calculator, personal digital assistant, newspaper, chocolate bar, and various other assorted sundries. Worst still are those optomistic souls who tempt fate by placing cartons of milk, cups of coffee and other items that have the potential to make my (and their) lives very interesting and difficult in the blink of an eye. Whilst the positioning of the architecture might well lend itself to such utility, it is actually there to house most of the radio equipment, and flight control trim units. All of these things I like to be able to have unobstructed visual access to, as well as protecting from unnecessary risk of spillage.

Likewise with the chart and book stowages, I rather like the idea that they house the charts and books I am expecting to find there, without being adorned with somebody elses belongings. Don't get me wrong, I really don't have any problem with somebody putting something down for a minute of two. However why some feel the need to unpack the contents of their flight bag in areas otherwise dedicated to the regularity and operation of the flight, I really cannot fathom.

Maybe by putting this stuff on your seat, the Captain is hoping you will get the subtle hint that he really doesn't want it where you are putting it, perhaps for the reasons I have described, or because of some compelling event in his own experience.

First officers of the world, this is a flightdeck, not your bedside table! If you want tasks to share, we have them in abundance. Tidying up after you is not going be one however.

As you say a few really should be told. Actually those that don't take the hint often are. So you see, there is often another side to the story, and no doubt your willingness to learn and change perspective will make for a better understanding.
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