757Driver

Just like any group, there's bound to be some a-holes. 99% of the Express Pilots are outstanding employees. Flown with a few that have entitlement issues, (ie: I earned my job here by flying for Express previously). On the whole they do an outstanding job.

PILOTGUY

Online degrees are fine. You can't tell the difference between my ERAU degree vs. someone who actually had to go sit through classes at a campus. The only differecne is I flew 80 hours at a regional while the classroom guy is probably not doing the same thing.

calcapt

I agree! Most Express guys are great - surprisingly, some of my most challenged FO's are ex-military - particularly the older retired ones. I'm ex-military so that surprises me some???? I think the early Express guys that had bad attitudes have either been booted or mellowed some.

CargoBob

I fly into challenging areas in Central and S America & SW Asia...like CAL. I find the C-17/C-130 guys particularly sharp! They have been there before and are used to flying places far from "Mom & Dad" (dispatchers). They are able to make decisions w/ out calling home.

The "challenged" ex-mil FOs you have probably fall into several categories:

1. Pass themselves off as ex-mil AVIATORS/PILOTS when in reality they were enlisted MPs and got their ratings/degrees at ERAU online.

2. Screw up a radio call and you roll your eyes at them...then, they roll their eyes at you because you attempt to land on the wrong runway after setting your instruments up incorrectly.

3. After flying F-16s the past 10 years the nuances and extreme difficulty of flying pax around EWR and IAH gets the best of them.

Just a guess, what did you fly in the service?..or do you fall into category #1 above.

THERE ARE SHARP PILOTS FROM BOTH CIVILIAN AND MILITARY AND DIRT BAGS FROM EACH...

TankerDriver

Cargobob,

Aside from the airlift guys that fly into lots of different fields, I can see ex-military pilots having a not-so-easy adjustment period flying 121. In the tanker, we just about NEVER fly into busy airspaces/airfields and when we do, it shows. Thinking back over the past two years, the only "busy" fields that I've flown into in the tanker were KHNL, KBNA and TJSJ and when we did go into those fields, I remember the crew (at least the other pilot and I) adding a not so common discussion to our approach briefing about being "prepared" for the arrival because it was going to get busy. Each and every military pilot does his/her specific mission and we do it better than any other military in the world. Lots of people respect that. However, you know flying 121 has it's differences and should not viewed as a rip to ones ego when god for bid someone says an ex-military guy/gal had some growing pains in the transition.

surreal1221

KHNL?

That's not registering. . .perhaps you meant PHNL?

calcapt

Mr Bob:

Your ESP abilities are noteworthy. Your comments are rude and take liberties in your assesment that are incorrect. The past two military guys that seemed to be a little challenged were ex-CO's of squadrons. I just mentioned I was a little surprised with their performance based on their background - sorry if that struck a chord with you. I see challenged civilian FO's as well so take a deep breath. My personal military history has been mentioned numerous times in this forum if you choose to look and I don't feel obligated to explain my quallifications to you in any way. These are simply my observations. I can assure you my military flying would not be viewed by most as something less than acceptable and would be coveted by most. Your demeanor is disappointing and I just chose to make a simple point. If you feel like picking a fight - go kick your cat or take a nap. I would ask about your qualifications since you know so much, but don't really care.

TankerDriver

Doh. Yes, PHNL.

vagabond

CargoBob, must you feel compelled to pick fights with just about everyone on this forum? A quick perusal of your prior posts show that you have taken exception to members as diverse as ryane, surreal, skygirl and now calcapt. I will say this about you - you are equal opportunity.

Daytripper

Why does it matter what a pilots background is?????? If he's in my right seat.......it means he has passed training....and IOE. If, in my opinion, he is diffecient in some area........then somebody in OUR training department dropped the ball....and let them through. If proceedures are not being followed.......then it's my job to make sure they are. If something comes into question.....we..(flight CREW) look it up. I prefer it be a question of what's right....not whose right, because sometimes....... I make a mistake.
I'm in the left seat because of seniority....not because of such superior flying skills the company had no choice. I was new once. I had some really good mentor Capt's that could careless what my background was.......it think it only fair that I return the favor.
If you happen to fly with a turd....blame the training dept........not the military.....or civie backgrounds.