My last message
I agree some formal and routine training should take place and any GOOD airline will carry out this training......however back to my comments regarding two flights arriving on seperate days in zero conditions and short runway.
Both aircraft were American reg and both aircraft were under the control of FAA approved despatch....I observed both aircraft landing and I am sure you could imagine that terrible gutt feeling you get when such attempts were made.
I guess we are back to the previous comments made by others that the dispatchers are ultimately responsible if an aircraft goes in or overshoots the runway?
If the dispatcher is in total control of a flight, how could such an attempt be made when the field is zero vis on two seperate occasions and what measures do FAA take in monitoring a flight on the other side of the pond.
And why is such a person still in a job if "they are ultimately responsible".
It is my belief that we can only assume the norm that it is the Captain who decides upon arrival if to make an approach or divert.
I could also raise the question of CB's over the field or on the flight path...would the dispatcher make a decision when he his on the other side of the pond to divert, hold or make an approach? again I think we come back to the Captain although I always asked my crews to hold clear of CB's having studied at great lengths the influence of a Micro Burst. This was long before these were ever talked about (until after many aircraft had crashed).
I really dont know if I can say anymore on this thread...I just want to put a ballance into things to prove that even with training no one is perfect and I would still argue that the Captain is in charge at the end of the day and his final word. Obviously we can make all the recommendations to him but he will decide.....should you make a correct decision and he the wrong one then it is left to the Chief Pilot to carry out a de brief with him after you have given your input. One final point we never stop learning and there will always be the odd cowboy somewhere in the background on all sides.
Hope you all respect my comments it is purely my own thoughts
Peter