WK
I agree that wide body flying is not such a big step up from narrow body as some make out. Getting used to height, momentum, fuel jettison, taxi and a few others comes very quickly.
However, flying the actual aircraft is often not the problem. Pilots fail upgrades on flight deck management, time management and decision making. For somebody coming from a short haul operation in Europe with plenty of options for their 737, to suddenly find themselves over the pole at night with a serious medical problem and no communication, the difference is massive. This is where experience can not be replaced. Most major airlines work short haul up. In other words, when you fly with the likes of BA, Lufthansa, Qantas, Delta etc, the guys flying the big metal have more experience than those flying short haul. Gained from years of flying with 'old hands' and years of familiarity with Company procedures, this is invaluble when the lights suddenly go out and you're miles from nowhere.
With so many newbies joining Emirates with only short haul under their belt, our Ryanair DEC may find himself very much alone. The weight of responsibility should never be underestimated, especially when it involves the lives of up to 400 people. And what of the new guys he operates with, how much experience will he actually be able to pass on in his first year or two? Start getting a few more DEC's with similar backgrounds and it doesn't take long for the dilution of knowledge to filter into the operation.
In my opinion, for a Company that prides itself on higher than industry standards, this is a retrograde step. Not only is it a slap in the face for some of our experienced and very capable F/O's, it's just another hole in the Swiss cheese that really shouldn't be there.
Harry
Last edited by harry the cod; 17th Jul 2012 at 09:34.
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