What does a captain expect from an F/O?
Well I tell you what - its not this little exchange that happened when I was paired with an ex-F/E remustered as first officer and I was a contract captain to a foreign operator, the F/O being a Teutonic.
Self LH seat: "Before Start Checklist, thanks Jens"
F/O with big bushy beard drags out checklist and reads stuff.
We got to the part (it was a 737) which says Fuel. and the captain says 8000 kgs - pumps on.
Except when the F/O read out "Fuel" and I answered as above, he said in a loud voice "NEGATIVE." He then repeated the word "Fuel" - and I carefully checked the contents and repeated my earlier correct response. Again a scowl from the bearded one and again he spat out "NEGATIVE"
At that stage I had had enough of this crap and said "Put the checklist down and now what's your problem?"
The reply was that although 8000 kgs was indeed the sum of the total fuel in the two mains, the flight plan indicated that it was based upon 8300 kgs and the bearded one stated that SOP required that the flight plan fuel must agree with the actual fuel aboard and that because the CVR was listening to us, we should lie a little and say "8300 kgs".
Unfortunately it set the scene for the next few hours together which was the bearded ex F/E picking me up on practically everything I touched or said. It was not a relaxing trip.
So, what do I want from a first officer?
Simple. A smile - a touch of good humour - commonsense, and someone I can rely on when the chips are down.