Sharpshooter (and others), I assume you have read some of 411A's previous posts.
Do you really think that you will be able to change his views?
I am a firm believer in the benefits of both CRM and crew co-ordination. I also believe that someone with 411A's extensive experience, who has survived to tell a few tales, must be doing something right. Sure, we can all mock his apparently reactionary statements; but if we read between the lines, ignore some of the bluster and try to glean the real meaning of what he is saying, we might all learn something (just as he might learn something from a properly constructed and delivered CRM course. Then he might not think it is a 'total and complete waste of time').
All successful multi-crew operations must have a commander, who is ultimately in charge, and to whom the other crew members owe a duty of respect and default co-operation. That's assuming of course that the commander is properly qualified, trained and assessed by the appropriate authorities, and operates in accordance with the laid down procedures and manuals. The same applies to the sub-ordinate (note the word!) crew members, each of whom has a duty to support the commander in the safe execution of the flight (a paraphrase of some Ops Manuals).
Let's not get too hung up on words like 'belong' or 'assign'. It seems to me that some of us assume that 411A is a bit of a 'dinosaur' in the flightdeck when it comes to CRM, but until and unless we have direct experience, we don't know. I've flown with captains who said things similar to some of 411A's utterances. Some of them were arrogant fools and some were skilful pilots who actually displayed good team skills and engendered a high level of crew loyalty, despite their avowed negative views on CRM. Maybe they were 'unconscious competents', i.e. those who have a natural skill of which they are unaware.
I've also flown with captains and co-pilots who displayed very good 'soft skills', who were 'emotionally intelligent' and who couldn't track an ADF needle even if their life depended on it. Which would you rather have next to you when the 'chips are down' on a dark and dirty night?
While I am sure that the CRM training I have received has improved both my teamworking and that of my colleagues, it hasn't done a lot to sharpen my flying skills. It's true that CRM issues are a major factor in a lot of accidents, but then so is loss of control. If 411A puts more weight on 'old fashioned' flying skills, as opposed to 'new fangled' NOTECHS, then I for one think his is a voice worth listening to.
As with most things, especially in aviation, it comes down to intelligent compromise.
Eckhard (Sorry for thread creep, just a bit fed up with the 411A bashers out there!)
Last edited by eckhard; 24th November 2009 at 21:32.