Grandad Flyer,
Did many jumpseat rides while working in crewing/ops, a great insight into the 'other side'.
However, very rarely did the flightdeck get any insight into the ops side of things. In fact at one point the company made trainee f/os spend at least one week in ops. This was a very useful exercise and was very successful, but it very shortlived.

I have visited our Ops and Crewing departments, both at a base far from mine, and when they weren't busy asked various questions. It was useful, but I have to admit that I felt that they didn't really want flight deck there.
I would love to have a week rostered to spend "behind the scenes" from Ops, Crewing, Handling Agents, Check-in staff, etc.
I wonder if our management would like that though? I personally think it would be very useful. I have spent a day at LATCC and that was a very useful insight.
Do any companies offer this opportunity?

Squeezy Jet have just been through a small period where we've had too many FOs. I made the suggestion that they should spend some of their standby time in the Ops room. Our Ops MGR was up for it, the FOs were up for it. BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED!!!

It think the Chief Flying Desk was a little worried that we had better ideas than him!

I have nothing but the greatest respect for Ops and Crewing Boys and Gals. They tend to get all the crap from Handling agents, crews, their boss,etc., and generally still produce the goods.

At Go, all newly promoted Captains spend a day in OPs/Crewing, and a day on the ramp with the Go Team Supervisors, as part of their Command Course. It gives them an insight into the workload when things are going seriously pear-shaped, and reduces the level of nuisance RT/Phone calls.

Cheers

H

We normally get a jump-seat ride as often as possible. It's really usefull to see it from the flightdeck side, ie the pre-brief, startup etc etc.
On the comment about flightdeck visits to Ops - I disagree with Oooh Matron in the fact that quite a few of the Capt's / FOs have spent time in Ops - and we've found them to be the most helpfull now they realise what goes on here. A complete 360 from what some of them were like beforehand !
Any form of cross-famil has to be a good thing IMHO.
And Grandad - flightdeck crews are welcome anytime here - I for one appreciate them taking an interest, quite apart from the fact we can get more direct feedback about reroutes etc etc.


[This message has been edited by ghost-rider (edited 15 September 1999).]

Intersting to hear Hamrah's comments re Go. The idea of flightdeck spending a day in Ops / Crewing is excellent. Has there been a noticeable increase in co-operation ? Do the crews want to go and spend a day there ?

Ghost rider

we started doing it as part of Command courses, so the participants were usually enthusiastic. The feedback from those who have participated is so positive that many othe crew members now take the opportunity to spend time with their Ops/Crewing/Ramp colleagues.

It has produced very positive benefits for all sides, and, as a practice is to be recommended.