The origin of "Checked to Line?"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The origin of "Checked to Line?"
Even with modern airlines It is common to hear of pilots being "checked to line." In Ernest Gann's evocative book Flying Circus, he states that Didier Daurat, the original Operations Manager of the Latecore Company was known as "Patron" of the line. Then we have a rank called "Line Training" captain.
I presume the term is an abbreviation for airline? Any further thoughts on it's origin? Are ship's captains also "checked to line?"
I presume the term is an abbreviation for airline? Any further thoughts on it's origin? Are ship's captains also "checked to line?"
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,096
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have always assumed that 'Line' refers to the roster, e.g. "What sort of a line have you got this month?" referring to bog standard route flying, so maybe 'route' should replace 'line'? A Line/Route Training Captain checks the pilot flying to his line/the route standard and, if OK, lets him continue, 'on (his) line'. Just my 2cents.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: USofA
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe a number of Normal checklists use this phrase when the PM is reading the check list and wants to hold before going any further down the list there are hold points if you will, that allow the crew to stop and then later move on. An example might be on a Before Takeoff check list where the crew stops short of turning the xpnder to TA/RA, and the lights and or strobes on. The PM might say "down to the" or "holding at the line" thus signyfing that there are item remaining on the checklist that need to be done before announcing the Before takeoff checklist is complete.
If all this is wrong......sorry.
If all this is wrong......sorry.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Wet Coast
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Marks the transition from being on probation, flying under supervision of senior captains, to being in the general pilot pool. "Cleared to fly on the line", nothing to do with any paticular route.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,096
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to clarify, in my previous post use of the the word 'route ' was not specific to any particular route, it refers to all company routes/lines.
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the days of Imperial Airways etc pilots didn't operate "routes" as such but a "line", a single long thin route with many refuelling and night-stops stretching out to South Africa or diverging off to India and the Far East. They were said to be working "on the line".
The expression continued into BOAC and on into the early days of BA, when the expression "routes" was eventually recognised as being a better description.
"Airline" comes from Shipping Line which conveys the same meaning of a single route, which most shipping lines operated in the past.
The expression continued into BOAC and on into the early days of BA, when the expression "routes" was eventually recognised as being a better description.
"Airline" comes from Shipping Line which conveys the same meaning of a single route, which most shipping lines operated in the past.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suspect it's indeed a nautical term, but "ship of the line" and "shipping line" have what I assume are two entirely different meanings for the word "line." The Victory was a ship that was capable of joining the line of battle, while shipping "line" is quite different. I think.
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Different, but connected.
When one of Britain's earliest steamship companies, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co, was formed in the 1830s it was first proposed to call it the "Royal Mail Line of Steamships" to give the sense of a regular sailing of ships along the same track carrying mails (which subsidised the whole operation) to the Caribbean and eventually on to South America.
Unlike a line of battleships it couldn't be seen but it was a "line" of ships all the same.
When one of Britain's earliest steamship companies, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co, was formed in the 1830s it was first proposed to call it the "Royal Mail Line of Steamships" to give the sense of a regular sailing of ships along the same track carrying mails (which subsidised the whole operation) to the Caribbean and eventually on to South America.
Unlike a line of battleships it couldn't be seen but it was a "line" of ships all the same.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: It wasn't me, I wasn't there, wrong country ;-)
Age: 79
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All of the nautical applications are correct, and live to this day. Clipper ships (of the nautical or aeronautical variety) still rule I wonder why so many aeronauts are still nautical types in their non aeronaut roles
The line referred to in Ship of the Line refers to the line of battle employed by sailing warships .Only ships of a certain size would be allowed into the line, usually of 74 guns or greater.