Some good points there, shadowpurser.
What is a brand new DEP F/O to do when confronted with a #1 who has been round the block a few times and knows the ropes?
Fairly simple.
It is exactly the same as a brand new 2nd. Lt. straight out of Sandhurst who is given a troop with a 45-year old very experienced sergeant who knows which way is up. The inexperienced subaltern who doesn't use his troop sergeant and the experience available there won't last long. Yes, the officer has to make the decisions, but should consult.
Simple answer? CRM.
The airline that doesn't train their most senior cabin crew to offer their advice, observations and experience in a non-confrontational manner is risking flight safety. Similarly, they should train their most junior pilots to listen and use the experience available from "down the back". It is to be hoped that they will remember that training by the time they become grizzled old captains and will still use all facilities available to them.
A new-nice-guy-not-wanting-to-cause-any-trouble captain faced with a twice his age I know-every-rule-in-the-book-and-I'm NO.2 on the seniority list ok? In-charge crew member might find it a difficult day indeed.
No, I disagree. Not a difficult day at all. Offload them. End of problem. If he doesn't want to cause any trouble, that is the way to do it. Anything else will cause a whole heap of it. For example, they'll have in-flight fires and not even bother to tell you.
