Originally Posted by captjns

In some parts of the world, the F/O flying with a captain with less than 1,000 in type as PIC is not allowed to touch the controls. Imagine being at a small base. Some F/O's don't touch the controls for 6 months at a time. Now that really sucks! 22 year F/O... holy $hit! That can't be great for one's ego. Damn... that really sucks. In many parts of the world a cadet finds their way into the left seat within 5 years after induction.

Originally Posted by B757200ER

"Ancestral worship"? When I'm taxiing the jet, the last thing I want to do is try and make a PA...especially when there is a fully capable F/O not taxiing that can easily pick up the PA and say "Flight Attendants prepare for take-off"!

Originally Posted by aa73

^^^^^^^^ ForeverFO does not lie ^^^^^^^^^

AA has always had a "Captain" mentality since the DC-3 days. They love to claim they hire Captains but the truth is that, when you're an FO, you're just an FO.

Examples:

- All PAs are made by the Captain. That includes on taxi out, in the air, on the descent, and on taxi in. Doesn't matter whether he is PF or PM. The only PA made by the FO is approaching the gate, for folks to remain seated and for F/As to disarm doors (which, ironically, is made by the F/As at every other airline - for good reason, who wants the FO making a PA approaching the gate????)

- Only the Captain is allowed to land the airplane with RVR less than 4000 or vis less than 1/4mile.

- Only Captains are allowed to be Check Airmen.

- Only Captains are allowed to start the engines.

- Only Captains are allowed to turn on/off exterior lights, hit the sterile chime, and work the seat belt sign.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. We have FOs here with thousands of hours of experience, most of who have been Captains previously, who are essentially prevented from acting like Captains in training. And frankly, most of our FOs are so beaten down by this mentality that they only do their job and no more.

Sad situation. I will say that it has SLOWLY been changing, but we have a long way to go in catching up with most "modern 21st century" airlines.

Originally Posted by Big Slick

Does anyone have a POC for Sim/Ground School Instructors at AA?

Are they hiring?

I am a furloughed AA pilot who is about to retire from the military. I have 727 FE and 737 FO experience. I would enjoy instructing at the flight academy.

Thanks,
Big Slick

Originally Posted by lsl80

AA73 a couple corrections. Landing 4000 RVR or 3/4 mile not 1/4 must be made by captain. Also, during a single engine taxi, the f/o may start an engine. But I have not done a SE taxi in a long time. Dont forget the walk around culture, cockpit setup and checklist reading all done by FO. The fo at AA is not a captain in training as was the case at my "aggressively safe" and "scd" former airline.

Originally Posted by texaspilot76

Man, it sounds like the cockpit culture at AA blows. In addition to everything stated above, I've noticed things while on their jumpseat. From mile long checklists, to writing down fuel and times between every fix, to many really unnecessary tasks, I really hope that the US Airways training and cockpit procedures prevail after the merger. I'm surprised there's any situational awareness at all considering all the things they have to do in there.