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Old 13th May 2021 | 13:08
  #7 (permalink)  
deja vu
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 478
Likes: 87
From: Aust
Yeah, I also worked for the old Air Nauru as a F/O. Great destinations, great aircraft and lots of fun at times but only for short time.

There were several Captains that loved to go back to the cabin and chat to the flight attendants and punters ( or chat up) ? There was one in particular who did this on every sector and always brought back an audience to watch him turn into a tyrant and bark orders whilst acting as a tour guide. So much for a sterile cockpit. His P/As were more like a short novel or a history lesson.

I was rostered to fly with him to Guam one last time, a 4 hour sector with a departure around 2AM from Nauru. As always about 2 hours into the flight, back he went which was fine with me as I didn't have to listen for awhile. On the downside it was a company requirement to wear the quick donning oxygen mask when alone and above FL250, pretty uncomfortable for extended periods and talking with Oakland ( San Francisco) radio on HF without SELCAL. Additionally locking the cockpit door was not permitted in these circumstances. It was as black as, with occasional lightning flashes and constant weather requiring many diversions. Busy but happy. The senior attendant came up several times to let me know the Capitano was deep in conversation with all and sundry, holding court as usual. God I was tired.

I advised the cabin 30 minutes to go and commenced descent on profile, about 10 minutes later, at FL150 I cycled the seat belt sign and very soon the door burst open and here he was with 2 Sumo sized Pacific Islanders. Those familiar with the 737-200 may appreciate what is required to get 130kg dudes onto the 2 jump seats provided. Unlikely we would ever get out of the cockpit in a hurry. El Capitano switched on the dome lights at about the same time as the unmistakable whiff of hard booze these guys had downed hit me. At about 6000' and being vectored downwind for AGANA 's main runway Captain Bligh took control, switched off the dome light and continued to act as tour guide for the benefit of his admirers. The running commentary didn't stop until he planted it about 2500 feet in from the threshold. It was 4AM local time.

Hard to believe someone so unaware of basic airmanship, sterile cockpit procedures and CRM and yet bangs on about safety. We had some words after disembarking and he didn't understand what my problem was.

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