CRM is about getting the right balance - not about letting the F/O do whatever he likes so you dont hurt his feelings! For No More Night Flights' hypothetical example, a hypothetical CRM assessment might be:
F/O: Poor on cooperation (not considering others, conflict solving); poor on leadership & management skills (planning and coordination, maintaining standards); poor on situational awareness; poor on decision making (risk assessment & option selection
Captain: OK on cooperation and SA, but poor on leadershp & management (ineffective use of authority & assertiveness) and poor on decision-making.
CRM is not just massaging your colleagues' egos, its about demonstrating the appropriate behaviour for the situation. Letting the FO fly dangerously is not appropriate, and would result in a failed CRM assessment for the captain.
A cowboy F/O has to be put in his place, otherwise one day, god forbid, he will be a cowboy captain!
Last edited by Non-PC Plod; 23rd Aug 2008 at 07:11.
Reason: more thoughts