Std Deviation

I think many pilots have gotten a "gimme" or "mulligan" in lieu of a pink slip. I had the same examiner for Private, Instrument, and Commercial - The infamous Howard Fried of the Detroit FSDO (he used to write a column called "Eye of the Examiner" for Flying magazine and later "Eye of Experience" for Avweb. Also has a couple books out.)

We're doing the commercial oral before getting in a C172RG and he asks, "so how does the prop work?"

My 20 year old self responds, "Well, you push the knob forward and the prop goes faster. And if you pull it back it goes slower."

He retorts, "Yes, but how does it WORK?"

I give him the same answer, "Well, you push the knob forward and the prop goes faster. And if you pull it back it goes slower."

After three tries he finally says, "You don't know how it works mechanically do you?"

Me, "Don't have a clue."

I was enlightened on speeder springs, counter weights, and valves.

Definitely a gimme because Howard was notorious for sitting on his seat belt during takeoff and then asking the private applicant on the upwind if he should put it on. Followed by a return and a pink slip. He was a stickler for details. So much so that he'd bust instrument applicants if they forgot to bring a view limiting device.

rvr1800

Sounds like a real a-hole.

Std Deviation

The real a-hole is the examiner that failed three of my IFR students back to back within two weeks(on questionable busts I thought) and then called the FSDO to complain about me. I had a Gold Seal CFII and had 65 straight passes when I sent these applicants up.

My usual examiners were booked so I gave this guy a shot. The FSDO says (about me), "Oh yeah. That guy? He was just here for his single-engine ATP. We've got no issues." I only found out he complained from the FSDO, not from him.

Post script - one of those busts is now a Captain at JetBlue.

Southerner

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a pilot to know how a constant speed prop actually operates, especially if it's on a twin.

(Assuming you're doing a check ride in that airplane.)

Std Deviation

I agree. I should have know and didn't and he allowed me to slide. It was a single engine though, but that doesn't matter. It's right there in the PTS. Had it gone the other way I'd be checking the "yes" box on "have you ever failed a check ride".

Southerner

I like the DPEs that bust for big picture things. Not knowing the prop wouldn't be enough, but add that up with a few other things and it might be.

Flyby1206

August 2014 junior lineholder (around 2830 total pilots as of bid closing):
JFK 320 FO- #2674
JFK 190 FO- #2628
BOS 320 FO- #2668
BOS 190 FO- #2703

The E190 hiring will continue to slow. Maybe 2-4 per class if any at all. Getting the A320 will probably be the fastest way to holding a line in the near future, but who knows for sure.


Here is a good article discussing LGB slots and JetBlue:
Why Isn?t JetBlue Using All Its Slots in Long Beach? (Ask Cranky) | The Cranky Flier

I would definitely sit reserve in LGB for 3 years instead of commuting to the east coast!

ysslah

Can someone who currently works for JetBlue please email the people department and ask what's the deal with uploading documents and file names? I tried everything but no luck. It would suck if I submit an incomplete application due to IT issues.

Flyby1206

Try a different internet browser: chrome, safari, firefox, etc. i think some guys had problems last time and that fixed it.

ysslah

Ok. I'll give that a shot. Thanks.