Originally Posted by ottergirl
We used to have Fleet Directors who did that job but it was decided that it wasn't an effective way of managing our crew.
Different departments pull in different directions. Flight Ops has had pilot managers since before the dawns of time. These are pilots who take on a management role, for example as technical managers, training managers or people managers. Obviously, there are also Training Captains and First Officers.
In theory, the Fleet Director is broadly equivalent to the Flight Manager. He or she still flies a limited roster (pilot managers fly one or two trips a month) but carries additional management duties which fill the majority of his or her time.
With regard to the Flight Managers, I have to concede there are inevitable issues but the fact that these guys fly the line reasonably regularly and are familiar with the day to day operational issues is invaluable.