Bad Captain?
Hypothetical situation:
Low houred FO on a medium jet with about 500 hours on type flies with Captain of about 4000 hours. The FO is from an integrated fATPL background and is in his first job. The Captain from a single engine, done-it-the-hard-way background and has only ever flown for this one particular low-cost carrier (I'm not saying either is better!).
The Captain's attitude is that he knows better than the people who write company SOPs and regularly disregards them when PF. The FO has a good knowledge of company SOPs and adheres to them unless there is a very good reason not to. Not only does the Captain disregard SOPs but he expects the FO to do the same and brings up point of debate constantly while the FO is PF during the "sterile cockpit" phases of flight and the cruise. Eg - "why did you wait to set standard til then?", "why are you entering descent wind forecasts in the FMC?", "why are you getting out of your seat to open the FD door? use the switch" etc etc. The answer to his questions are invariably "that's the SOP".
The Captain also has an abrasive personality and likes to do things his own way. He likes to argue the point that he is right, but never concedes that the SOP way might be the correct way. He constantly crosses lines of responsibility (Eg by making AFDS inputs when he is PNF) and has almost no interest in the FO's contribution to the operation. When the FO tries to debate any kind of SOP point in the cruise or on the ground, the Captain's response is bordering on aggressive. The Captain is also constantly rushing to make up time, even when there is no delay. The FO feels constantly pushed and flustered and has never flown with anyone else of such a character. He also feels like his initiative is stifled and despite trying to remain professional and rise above it, after some hours of this he does not feel over inclined to help the Captain out. This is the 2nd time they have flown together and the first day was no different.
My question is this - what would you do if you were the FO in question? Attempts to discuss the points have failed. Would you speak to management? Or just ask rostering not to roster you to fly with him again?
Ok so its not really hypothetical, but nevertheless, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts....
Last edited by D O Guerrero; 24th June 2009 at 14:07.