Well having just trawled through the last four pages I find it hard to believe that I am actually in the same airline as some of our "angry" contributors.
The majority of what I have read is NOT true and appears to be disinformation spouted by some "individuals" who have prejudiced views.
SOP's / NP's are written down, everything is written down and funnily enough you DO have to put some work in yourself. You cannot expect to be treated (and paid) like an adult if you want to be a child. It was the same for the Charter Airline I flew for in the UK before joining CX.
As for some trainers / checkers being "anal" about standards, why is it that the majority can comply but you "few" cannot. We have to allow you to be different!! Sorry not going to happen, if you cannot be bothered to operate under this airlines "rules" go and fly for another.
R/T & Ground communication standardisation is not just for us, but it is for the people we communicate with and for whom English is NOT their FIRST language. I am also sure many of you have been told that if a controller or someone else uses a different phrase then it is better to use that in replying to PREVENT confusion. As for good CRM by saying "good morning" etc, no problem with that if the frequency is not too busy and we do not get into what we had for breakfast etc etc. Guess what guys we are not the only ones using the frequency!
A good example of non-standard R/T. Cleared to take off runway 31L at JFK, last month in a max weight A340-600, only to hear two calls within 10 seconds of each other of "XXXXX lining up 31L" and "XXXXX rolling onto 31L". Both from two jets making first contact with JFK tower having been handed over from approach. Very disconcerting for a heavy jet about to set take off thrust - **** have we missed something!
