Workplace Bullying On Sim Checks
I find it a shame that as everything is becoming more complex, time limited and outsourced simulators are becoming purely a checking device. I thought that the big picture was to learn what will save you and how to be proficient at it.
Boaccomet4, with respect to bullying, I have not been a victim of bullying in while being checked in the sim or on line. That being said, where I work, I still feel there is certain individuals and areas of management from where this issue has been born. CASA does not help. I could elaborate more, but as this forum is not entirely anonymous, I won't. I don't want to fall foul of some of the double standards that exists within the check and failing department.
Boaccomet4, with respect to bullying, I have not been a victim of bullying in while being checked in the sim or on line. That being said, where I work, I still feel there is certain individuals and areas of management from where this issue has been born. CASA does not help. I could elaborate more, but as this forum is not entirely anonymous, I won't. I don't want to fall foul of some of the double standards that exists within the check and failing department.
Last edited by clark y; 22nd Apr 2013 at 00:26.
441, no dispute about sometimes learning from one's candidates or trainees. At the training stage, of course the instructor will probably be using notes and prompts to help get the message across.
What p!sses me off is the CHECKER who comes armed with a notebook of trick questions and proceeds to wrong-foot the pilot who is already under enough stress.
This baaad technique is guaranteed to set candidates up for a poor performance, and when real aeroplanes are involved (as in line checks), it is potentially dangerous to have stressed pilots in the driver's seat.
Prior to checking someone, it is more likely that you will get better results if they are relaxed. With this in mind, other than to ask the obvious, like how to interpret the forecast applicable to that flight or complete the weight and balance, I keep any 'educational' discussions to the post-flight stage.
What p!sses me off is the CHECKER who comes armed with a notebook of trick questions and proceeds to wrong-foot the pilot who is already under enough stress.
This baaad technique is guaranteed to set candidates up for a poor performance, and when real aeroplanes are involved (as in line checks), it is potentially dangerous to have stressed pilots in the driver's seat.
Prior to checking someone, it is more likely that you will get better results if they are relaxed. With this in mind, other than to ask the obvious, like how to interpret the forecast applicable to that flight or complete the weight and balance, I keep any 'educational' discussions to the post-flight stage.
Last edited by Mach E Avelli; 22nd Apr 2013 at 00:35.
The following story had legendary status when I went through training in 1967. Everyone at the time thought it was just that, a story. Not until a couple of years ago did I find it was indeed factual.
After take-off, he would reach down and undo the control stick in the front cockpit, hold it up and show it to the trainee, then throw it overboard….
Anyway, legend has it that this trick became known to the trainees. One day, one of the trainees rostered for a trip with this instructor hid a spare control stick down the leg of his flying suit. After take-off, the instructor reached down and did the usual trick and threw the control stick overboard after showing it to the trainee. At that point, the trainee reached down and grabbed the spare control stick, showed it to the instructor, then threw it overboard…
Legend has it that the instructor then bailed out, and was subsequently court-marshalled.
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Never experienced it in my career... Having said that, I have heard all the stories...the question that needs to be put to these so called " axe men" is.... Are they aware of the karma circle? I'm sure many aren't because of their own ingratiating style.. Or the way the corridor creep would be a better term..but karma does have a way of catching up with people in the end...
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It is interesting how most “bullies” huff and puff their way to the top.
One notorious militaristic belligerent bi polar Napoléon covers his lack of knowledge, standards and ability through the use of bullying and classic CRM terms such as;
· Read my lips
· Listen sunshine
· That SOP is bulls..t
· You do realise who I am
· I am feeling generous so you get a ‘2’
There is a noticeable link between the bully instructor/ check captain and the lack of basic training they received. The theory of learning and teaching, and as mentioned in earlier posts, spending many hours actually demonstrating techniques are the foundation blocks of good teachers and assessors.
People use bullying as a defence mechanism to hide their deficiencies. They usually create an air of fear around them and use raised voices, verbal threats or even purposely failing candidates to promote this fear.
The more devious also work behind the scenes to spread rumours or undermine the credibility of those they wish to bully or usurp. In public they will appear friendly and reasonable toward the individuals they are bullying while twisting the knife from behind. And they derive immense pleasure from doing so!
To deal with bullies during SIM and Line Checks, work hard at creating an air of professionalism, knowledge and self-assurance. Bullies rarely tackle confident individuals face to face but if they do, do not react. Note what happened or what was said and advise the bully you will clarify with the T and C Manager.
If someone in the workplace is considered a bully, start discussing it with your peers. The weight of peer group pressure will greatly reduce the effectiveness of the bully, even if the individual is the boss.
Best advice; stay clear of bullies they are the grubs of society.
One notorious militaristic belligerent bi polar Napoléon covers his lack of knowledge, standards and ability through the use of bullying and classic CRM terms such as;
· Read my lips
· Listen sunshine
· That SOP is bulls..t
· You do realise who I am
· I am feeling generous so you get a ‘2’
There is a noticeable link between the bully instructor/ check captain and the lack of basic training they received. The theory of learning and teaching, and as mentioned in earlier posts, spending many hours actually demonstrating techniques are the foundation blocks of good teachers and assessors.
People use bullying as a defence mechanism to hide their deficiencies. They usually create an air of fear around them and use raised voices, verbal threats or even purposely failing candidates to promote this fear.
The more devious also work behind the scenes to spread rumours or undermine the credibility of those they wish to bully or usurp. In public they will appear friendly and reasonable toward the individuals they are bullying while twisting the knife from behind. And they derive immense pleasure from doing so!
To deal with bullies during SIM and Line Checks, work hard at creating an air of professionalism, knowledge and self-assurance. Bullies rarely tackle confident individuals face to face but if they do, do not react. Note what happened or what was said and advise the bully you will clarify with the T and C Manager.
If someone in the workplace is considered a bully, start discussing it with your peers. The weight of peer group pressure will greatly reduce the effectiveness of the bully, even if the individual is the boss.
Best advice; stay clear of bullies they are the grubs of society.
