Pink Lady:
I am now captain of the aircraft on which I fly. I had an extensive background in GA, having spent 10 years in GA, then leaving aviation altogether for 10 years. When I returned, through a series of exceptional circumstances, I promoted rapidly.
1. As a 40-something FO, I
occasionally observed outrageous ineptitude from those who occupied the left seat. This includes the young dude who commanded us through a line of Level 5s 50 miles from base. He is still mad at me for speaking up after we got back in the crewroom.
2. As a 40-something captain, some of my abilities are not what they used to be. In particular, my short-term memory is not what it used to be. Every week I fly with people who are sharper than me on a variety of different points. This can be intimidating at times, but then again, I remember young captains being intimidated by my age and 10+ years aviation background.
Having been in both situations, my advice to you is to let this one pass. Learn to undergird the leadership of your captain and help him/her to relax with you and the special skills that you bring to the cockpit. Win them over with your cooperative attitude, your great skills and the fact that you are a person who is a pleasure to fly with.
Finally: I hope that you get a chance to move to the left seat soon. While, again, I have been in both seats, I can tell you that the mix of personal responsibility for the aircraft, responsibility for the crew and consideration of the welfare of passengers or cargo make the left seat "not as easy as it looks." Sometimes I long for only having to be responsible for my own tongue and my own attitude-which are the greatest responsibilities of an FO
.
'Hope this helps you,
Skywerd