Is it possible EK are using "line" pilots as "instructors"???
The shortage of both experienced pilots and experienced instructors seems to be the current dilemma within our industry as a whole. Usually, a system that uses "experienced" line pilots has more flaws to it than benefits. High time line Captain? Instant instructor! Sorry, nothing could be further from the truth.
Ego is the biggest impediment to effective instruction and knowledge is power. Power can be abused, especially where large egos are involved, which at times, is human nature. It's nice to have alot more knowledge than most around you, especially if you can rub it in someone's face.
Nice. But, pretty damned cocky.
Any "line" pilot that brings those traits into their "line" pilot instructor methods, IMHO, should be removed from that duty and responsibility IMMEDIATELY.
Certainly, the old ways of doing business in the airlines, which was to make each sim session more of a test and a battle of wits than the learning sessions they should be, seems to be what's implied by the comments above.
If there is no effective "train the trainer" program for these "line" pilots to complete, then the comments above might also be expected. Simply stated, not everyone can teach. Any student can quickly identify who among previous instructors could and couldn't teach. To say those who can, fly and those who can't, teach is the stupidest comment any professional pilot worth his salt could ever make.
A number of airlines today have a proper group of Instructors who are trained to teach and who are familiar with effective instructional methods and techniques separate and apart from its' group of Check Airmen who are trained to Check. These two groups are never intermixed. So that, when a student runs into "trouble" following training, both he/she and his/her instructor would have some questions to answer. Not just the student.
You train to the standard. (Not a "line" pilots'
idea of standard} Recommend the student when the standard is met. Hand them off to the checkers and go from there.
But then, EK training department knows all that? Don't they.
Willie
