What's with the term "command?"
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"A commander is responsible for mission success, and safety of crew, passengers, and aircraft.
A captain can be a head waiter in a restaurant."
Funny, then, how in all airline stories I've read always refer to "Captain So and so" rather than "Commander So and so..." Commander sounds like some kind of Star Trek fantasy.
Did not know it was strictly a UK thing.
Yes, I'm bored. Time to shake things up a bit. What better way than to make fun of Yank/British terms?
A captain can be a head waiter in a restaurant."
Funny, then, how in all airline stories I've read always refer to "Captain So and so" rather than "Commander So and so..." Commander sounds like some kind of Star Trek fantasy.
Did not know it was strictly a UK thing.
Yes, I'm bored. Time to shake things up a bit. What better way than to make fun of Yank/British terms?
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Command also used in the military - because of the obvious reason that a captain can still be only a co-pilot. And seeing that commercial aviation came after and flowed out of military aviation, only makes sense that the term would be used, now doesn't it..?
Trivia anyway, does it really matter???
Trivia anyway, does it really matter???
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Captain Smith and Captain Jones fly together today.
Who is in command...? On the flight plan, it says PIC = Smith...
Captain Smith is then the commander.
Or maybe that is the way they decided - "You fly out, I fly back...?"
Many different way airlines do. Seniority is another way.
xxx
When I worked in the USA, they called me "Captain X..."
In Belgium, or France, I was introduced as "Commandant X..."
In South America, I was at times "Comandante" - or "Capitán"...
xxx
Happy contrails
Who is in command...? On the flight plan, it says PIC = Smith...
Captain Smith is then the commander.
Or maybe that is the way they decided - "You fly out, I fly back...?"
Many different way airlines do. Seniority is another way.
xxx
When I worked in the USA, they called me "Captain X..."
In Belgium, or France, I was introduced as "Commandant X..."
In South America, I was at times "Comandante" - or "Capitán"...
xxx
Happy contrails
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I think it's time we incorporated 'Admiral' somewhere in aviation. Add a 'Grand.....' in front of that like the First World War Admirals and we're getting somewhere. You can go a bit OTT with '....of the Fleet' afterwards. Once people get used to that, there is another step.......the big one.....'Sea Lord'. How about 'Air Lord.....'? I can quite see 'Air Lord, Grand Admiral of the Fleet Commander-Captain Rainboe VC (the VC stands for 'Very Cross').
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Disgusted of Tunbridge
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Exaggeration? Speak for yourself!
The Russians go for chestfuls of medals, and magnificent large military hats, like super large giant pizzas on top of an ordinary hat. No room for those in a 737 flight deck (unfortunately).
The Russians go for chestfuls of medals, and magnificent large military hats, like super large giant pizzas on top of an ordinary hat. No room for those in a 737 flight deck (unfortunately).
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aa73 wrote "Funny, then, how in all airline stories I've read always refer to "Captain So and so" rather than "Commander So and so..." Commander sounds like some kind of Star Trek fantasy."
Totally ridiculous - we all know its Captain Kirk
Commander Kirk...whatever next!
Totally ridiculous - we all know its Captain Kirk
Commander Kirk...whatever next!
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As an FA speaking, what I really need is a better title for an FO. If I forget the captain's name, it's easy... "Aye aye, Cap'n." But when you forget the FO's name.... "no worries, mate" just sounds a little informal to me...
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In the Navy a Commander is one rank below Captain. Three bars rather than four.
Yesssss, I want to be a Commander. The Captains never get the girls, only the lower ranks!!!
Regards,
Old Smokey
Yesssss, I want to be a Commander. The Captains never get the girls, only the lower ranks!!!
Regards,
Old Smokey
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Got my "command" sounds better than got my "captaincy" (?) don't you think?
Then we have...Pilot in Command
Second in Command.
On my airplane, we have a Third in Command, aka Flight Engineer.
Occasionally referred to as 'the plumber' but this is generally ignored.
Then we have the 'Command course' or 'Command upgrade course'.
Now, just what is the Commander?
He heads up the show, and certainly the best way to accomplish this task is to delegate as much responsibility as possible.
Example.
The Second in Command checks the weather, plog, notams, payload etc, and then decides on the fuel required.
He always adds a bit more simply because he knows that the Commander would do likewise.
He then loads the FMS and checks this against the plog.
Meanwhile, the Third in Command (aka, Flight Engineer) checks with the maintenance folks to be sure everything is ship-shape, confirms the fuel uplift, does the external inspection, completes the takeoff data card, and finally...completes the load/trim sheet.
Also, there is other activity going on in the cabin, headed up by the Cabin Captain.
She (or he, as the case may be) readies the cabin for the passengers, checks the catering, makes sure the emergency equipment is properly accounted for...and all the other usual arrangements.
Now, this is an ideal arrangement.
Why, you may ask?
Simply because....
It allows the COMMANDER to sit back, read the newspaper, and sip coffee/tea.
Or, have a brief snooze, if desired.
Works as advertised, nearly every time.
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Where I come from the First Officer is Second in Command. Nobody refers to the F/O as "Second Captain", "Deputy Captain" and such like. We probably don't refer to him/her as that because an F/O is not a Captain in the first place.
When I take a quick "loo break", my parting words to the F/O are, "You have Control, You have Command!
Much ado about nothing......................
Regards,
Old Smokey
When I take a quick "loo break", my parting words to the F/O are, "You have Control, You have Command!
Much ado about nothing......................
Regards,
Old Smokey