milehighskyline

^ this. I would like to see you capitans get your own weather, winds, do a weight and ballence, coordinate with passengers, book your own hotel, order fuel, arrange fbo service, file a flight plan. Come on guys this 121 **** is easy. Capitan or not. We get most of this stuff handed to us and verify its correct and within fars.

flapshalfspeed

If everyone was ready at the upgrade mins we wouldn't have washouts.

And we do have a non-zero percentage washing out.

Honestly guys, I don't care what you did before upgrade or how many hours you've flown--I just want you to not kill me when I DHD on your airplane.

flapshalfspeed

Uhhhhh I pretty much already have to do most of what you've listed on a daily basis as a 121 CA. Just replace "arrange FBO service" with "harass ops for fuel truck while calling maintenance and dispatch to change a million things around, all under the pressure of D-0, with FAs yapping at you about some drama in the First Class cabin."

And lol if you think I'm not "getting my own weather"--you think the average Captain just glances at the (old) weather in the release and says "let's go!"???

I don't think I've ever had a whole trip where everything was just handed to me signed, sealed, current and legal like you're presuming here, or where I didn't have to coordinate with pax/gate/ops/mx/dispatch/the crew/fuelers/ramp/ATC/etc. at many points along the way. It's hard for some guys to see that from the right seat, until they're in the left one--believe me I didn't do squat as an FO for 7 years.

Also, I would LOVE to book my own hotels. Marriotts, Hiltons, Hyatts here I come!

iFlyRC

Well said!

iFlyRC

Murphy's law, expect it, live by it, and you won't have a stroke.

RV5M

I agree. Former 135 captain. Even with crappy rampers, slow fuel trucks, late boarding, etc., flying a shiny new jet under 121 is much easier. I'm so soft now I wouldn't even have the skills to do that job anymore.

"Uhhh...we're going to have to divert to Austin." vs. "Please don't let me die, please don't let me die, please don't let me die."

iFlyRC

Yep, I would change careers instead of going back to that!

PiperPower

For what it's worth, when I went through new hire training, we lost 3 captain upgrades, all three had 6+ years on the CRJ. All the "less experienced" captain upgrades had no issues. I get what you're saying, but it's not nearly as black and white as you say.
In all honesty, with a little common sense, confidence, and a backbone when making decisions, this job is not hard. I'm sorry to those of you who struggle with it so much and make it so complicated... Honestly, the silly scare tactics some of you chuck yeagers preach about makes me question if YOU yourselves are comfortable in your position... Yes, of course this job comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. But getting past the life or death scenario of crashing in our line of work, ALL adult jobs require adult responsibility. You either have it or you don't...

Harpyr

Was it uphill both ways?

Here's the bottom line, IMHO: 121 and 135 are different. Certain people fit better into one or the other. Just like you'll meet 121 captains who make bad decisions because they still think like a freight dog, you'll also meet 135 captains who are just too fussy because they're trying to make it feel like an airline. Neither 121 nor 135 is objectively easier than the other. Both have their challenging aspects, and both have their examples of "easy money".

Like someone else said: you're doing okay if you don't get me killed, or worse - violated. But obviously being a really great captain involves myriad skills in addition to integrity and personality.

NovemberBravo

Sooooo any updates on a new Ejet base?