Knowing your seat...
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
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I've used a similar type of confrontation when I want to take up things with my captains that I haven't been happy with and it tends to work. It bluntens the edge of the sharp critique sword so to say...
"Knowing your seat" was the title of this thread and to me that is the crux. I have flown with so many F/O's that either think they are the Captain or maybe they are just trying to show me that they can be, expecting me to be impressed.
What I have always said and maintaned:
"If you want a fastrack to the left hand seat it's easy: Show that you are the best First Officer there is going. That will get noticed and you will be on your way. However, enter the pi$$ing contest with the Captain and you will pi$$ many people off and will probably find yourself glued to the RHS for the rest of your career."
I have witnessed this on more than one occasion with guys that just don't get why others less senior to them get command and they are left in the RHS for years. How obvious can that be?
It really is that easy!
What I have always said and maintaned:
"If you want a fastrack to the left hand seat it's easy: Show that you are the best First Officer there is going. That will get noticed and you will be on your way. However, enter the pi$$ing contest with the Captain and you will pi$$ many people off and will probably find yourself glued to the RHS for the rest of your career."
I have witnessed this on more than one occasion with guys that just don't get why others less senior to them get command and they are left in the RHS for years. How obvious can that be?
It really is that easy!
Last edited by happyjack; 19th Dec 2008 at 15:38.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Doue la Fontaine, France
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Reverting to the original question, I wonder who has the ear of the company? The Captain or the FO.
My last job prior to retirement was as captain on a Sabreliner, just two crew total for a private company. Although I was hired as captain, my FO was designated chief pilot and conducted all negotiations with the management. He had been their first pilot many years ago when they had a helicopter and had endeared himself to management so they continued to regard him as their chief pilot.
An absolute ace in a helicopter (one of the best I've ever seen) he was a disaster in a jet.
Fortunately for us all, he and the company were thoroughly nice peoople and at no time was there even a hint of dissension on the flight deck.
But it could have been a very difficult situation for me otherwise.
My last job prior to retirement was as captain on a Sabreliner, just two crew total for a private company. Although I was hired as captain, my FO was designated chief pilot and conducted all negotiations with the management. He had been their first pilot many years ago when they had a helicopter and had endeared himself to management so they continued to regard him as their chief pilot.
An absolute ace in a helicopter (one of the best I've ever seen) he was a disaster in a jet.
Fortunately for us all, he and the company were thoroughly nice peoople and at no time was there even a hint of dissension on the flight deck.
But it could have been a very difficult situation for me otherwise.
