Mentorship for New Captains
09-10-2023, 06:36 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 1,860
Nothing better than good satire.
Wear your cowboy boots so we can all know who you are. The bigger the heels, the better.
Remember, CRM is not a democracy. Ask the FO what they think and about halfway through their comment, do what you were going to do anyway. After, all, you're the Captain.
Tankering? I don't care Mister, I said we're adding 2,000 pounds!
On the short legs, make your FO do PM and PF while you write two hundred word calligraphy on your business card that our first class customers are just going to toss in the trash because they're too addled on booze and sleeping pills to read a stop sign. Getting your name in the Flight Ops Update is your career goal.
Look up the reasonably good-looking global services lady in first. airdrop her pictures of your junk. Rename your device after your FO before taking that irrevocable step.
Make sure you've got a no-**** lumberjack axe in your trunk. You know, just in case.
Argue with the ground controller when you don't get your way. Those punks better know who's in charge.
Take of your shoes. Use your socks to clean the PFD's, ND's. (Not making that up, BTW. Way to go, Ernie, you freak)
Respond to all traffic point outs with "Tally" or "No Joy" Bonus points if you weren't in the military.
Don't go a single leg as PM without saying "Not how I'd do it."
When reaching the speed limit for the next flap setting, put your hand on the flap handle so the FO knows it's OK to call for the flaps.
Tell us all how you feel about transgender employees. You're so smart you should write a book.
Wear your cowboy boots so we can all know who you are. The bigger the heels, the better.
Remember, CRM is not a democracy. Ask the FO what they think and about halfway through their comment, do what you were going to do anyway. After, all, you're the Captain.
Tankering? I don't care Mister, I said we're adding 2,000 pounds!
On the short legs, make your FO do PM and PF while you write two hundred word calligraphy on your business card that our first class customers are just going to toss in the trash because they're too addled on booze and sleeping pills to read a stop sign. Getting your name in the Flight Ops Update is your career goal.
Look up the reasonably good-looking global services lady in first. airdrop her pictures of your junk. Rename your device after your FO before taking that irrevocable step.
Make sure you've got a no-**** lumberjack axe in your trunk. You know, just in case.
Argue with the ground controller when you don't get your way. Those punks better know who's in charge.
Take of your shoes. Use your socks to clean the PFD's, ND's. (Not making that up, BTW. Way to go, Ernie, you freak)
Respond to all traffic point outs with "Tally" or "No Joy" Bonus points if you weren't in the military.
Don't go a single leg as PM without saying "Not how I'd do it."
When reaching the speed limit for the next flap setting, put your hand on the flap handle so the FO knows it's OK to call for the flaps.
Tell us all how you feel about transgender employees. You're so smart you should write a book.
09-10-2023, 07:51 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,752
09-11-2023, 05:44 AM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2013
Posts: 315
Satire aside, here are some things to keep in mind.
The airplane has a flight envelope. So does your FO, as do you. All of those envelopes have got to fit in yours. Please be conservative and run a little scared.
Subjective opinion, but a flat authority gradient is usually the way to go. We all know who signed for the jet. That Captain Kirk switch is always available to you, but until that moment arrives, keep things low-key and always, always, always involve your FO.
Always lead by setting a good example. This goes far beyond (what should be) the obvious stuff like showing up with a nice uniform. Things like being early for the van. Being unfailingly polite and respectful. Doing that everyday will make it easier to summon it when you’re struggling. Tempted to skip something? Don’t. It will be noticed. Never fail to debrief an error you make. You’ll have no credibility if you pretend they didn’t notice. They did. As the mahatma said, be the change you want to see in the world.
Tired? Don’t extend and consider calling in fatigued. Got a slight case of the sniffles that are probably allergies and could go either way? Call in sick. If it’s not something you’d show up for a first class physical with symptoms of, then don’t bring it to work either. That reserve pilot wants to fly. Let them!
You are never in a hurry. Nor are you required to raise your voice. When you’re going to overrule a fellow employee’s plan, be respectful and explain why. And it ain’t because you’re in command, it’s because you’ve got the better plan, right? (Is your plan better? Hmmm…)
Most importantly?
No b*tching.
Never. You work for the best airline on the planet and get paid gobs of money for the privilege. If you feel compelled to come to work and complain about ****, there is something seriously wrong with you that needs to get addressed and repaired. Yoga, booze, divorce, all of the above, whatever. But nobody wants to hear the overpaid, prima donna pilot complain about stuff. Especially your flying partner.
Don’t be a whiney-azzzz punk. Be a Captain.
Lead like Fred Rogers and fly like Deke Slayton. (If you don’t know who I’m talking about, get the heck off my grass, you millennial punk!)
Almost forgot. Take the occasional walk around. Especially when it’s crappy out there. Paid your dues? Bwahahaha. B*tch, please. Grab your vest.
The airplane has a flight envelope. So does your FO, as do you. All of those envelopes have got to fit in yours. Please be conservative and run a little scared.
Subjective opinion, but a flat authority gradient is usually the way to go. We all know who signed for the jet. That Captain Kirk switch is always available to you, but until that moment arrives, keep things low-key and always, always, always involve your FO.
Always lead by setting a good example. This goes far beyond (what should be) the obvious stuff like showing up with a nice uniform. Things like being early for the van. Being unfailingly polite and respectful. Doing that everyday will make it easier to summon it when you’re struggling. Tempted to skip something? Don’t. It will be noticed. Never fail to debrief an error you make. You’ll have no credibility if you pretend they didn’t notice. They did. As the mahatma said, be the change you want to see in the world.
Tired? Don’t extend and consider calling in fatigued. Got a slight case of the sniffles that are probably allergies and could go either way? Call in sick. If it’s not something you’d show up for a first class physical with symptoms of, then don’t bring it to work either. That reserve pilot wants to fly. Let them!
You are never in a hurry. Nor are you required to raise your voice. When you’re going to overrule a fellow employee’s plan, be respectful and explain why. And it ain’t because you’re in command, it’s because you’ve got the better plan, right? (Is your plan better? Hmmm…)
Most importantly?
No b*tching.
Never. You work for the best airline on the planet and get paid gobs of money for the privilege. If you feel compelled to come to work and complain about ****, there is something seriously wrong with you that needs to get addressed and repaired. Yoga, booze, divorce, all of the above, whatever. But nobody wants to hear the overpaid, prima donna pilot complain about stuff. Especially your flying partner.
Don’t be a whiney-azzzz punk. Be a Captain.
Lead like Fred Rogers and fly like Deke Slayton. (If you don’t know who I’m talking about, get the heck off my grass, you millennial punk!)
Almost forgot. Take the occasional walk around. Especially when it’s crappy out there. Paid your dues? Bwahahaha. B*tch, please. Grab your vest.
Last edited by Setopbug; 09-11-2023 at 06:25 AM.
09-11-2023, 07:39 AM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2023
Posts: 126
Never. You work for the best airline on the planet and get paid gobs of money for the privilege. If you feel compelled to come to work and complain about ****, there is something seriously wrong with you that needs to get addressed and repaired. Yoga, booze, divorce, all of the above, whatever. But nobody wants to hear the overpaid, prima donna pilot complain about stuff. Especially your flying partner.
Easy with the KoolAid there champ!!
Easy with the KoolAid there champ!!
09-11-2023, 07:56 AM
#46
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2022
Posts: 37
We’re getting there. The HPI needs to be revamped to look for the above, as well as the below personality profile(
You see, I am captain. Not A captain. Just Captain. I had my name changed before upgrade. Consequently I had to change my middle and last name too. My middle name is now "is" and my last name is f@!$nawsm. Call me Mr. Captain f!@&nawsm. Now, if I could fit 16 stripes of my epilates I would. One for every FO I had to take the controls from at 2000ft because they deviated from the ATC directed speed by equal to or greater than 2 knots. Hey, rules are rules. And in Captain f$&@!nawsm’s airplane, that chit don't fly. Literaly. And when I say "my airplane" I mean exactly that. I put an "inop" sticker over the banks name on the registration card with my name so there is no confusion who’s aircraft it is. You can't argue with that piece of paper, and if you do, you are a terrorist and I will exersize my captain's autority as well as my FFDO authority and remove the "threat" to my position of power. And by "remove" I mean take over and fly single-pilot. In other words, nothing really changes. Now, I don't have a problem leaving my ego at the door when I get on my Airbua. Hell, I have no choice as my ego is too big to fit through the door. Litteraly, I have tried. I am forced to vallet it along with my massive balls in the cargo hold, and that is still a tight fit. Luckly for me, I can check on them periodically in flight throught the peep hole in the lav while I re-spike my hair and iron my blazer and hat. I digress. My point is, if I am foced back into the right seat, I am still the captain. I will NOT let go of the thrust levers on the roll, I will call for ALL the checklists, I will make 7 minute "welcome" anouncements and I will still say "clear left". The right side is not my problem. And I still get to taxi. It's a long reach from the right seat, but it can be done......at least on flight sim. So, send me back to the right seat if you will, but you can NOT send my ego back to the right seat! Ok, have to go. Somewhere, and FO is trying to make a desision on his own. Captain awayyyyyyyyyyyyyy..........hey mom, can I borrow the station wagon. and have you seen my hat?
You see, I am captain. Not A captain. Just Captain. I had my name changed before upgrade. Consequently I had to change my middle and last name too. My middle name is now "is" and my last name is f@!$nawsm. Call me Mr. Captain f!@&nawsm. Now, if I could fit 16 stripes of my epilates I would. One for every FO I had to take the controls from at 2000ft because they deviated from the ATC directed speed by equal to or greater than 2 knots. Hey, rules are rules. And in Captain f$&@!nawsm’s airplane, that chit don't fly. Literaly. And when I say "my airplane" I mean exactly that. I put an "inop" sticker over the banks name on the registration card with my name so there is no confusion who’s aircraft it is. You can't argue with that piece of paper, and if you do, you are a terrorist and I will exersize my captain's autority as well as my FFDO authority and remove the "threat" to my position of power. And by "remove" I mean take over and fly single-pilot. In other words, nothing really changes. Now, I don't have a problem leaving my ego at the door when I get on my Airbua. Hell, I have no choice as my ego is too big to fit through the door. Litteraly, I have tried. I am forced to vallet it along with my massive balls in the cargo hold, and that is still a tight fit. Luckly for me, I can check on them periodically in flight throught the peep hole in the lav while I re-spike my hair and iron my blazer and hat. I digress. My point is, if I am foced back into the right seat, I am still the captain. I will NOT let go of the thrust levers on the roll, I will call for ALL the checklists, I will make 7 minute "welcome" anouncements and I will still say "clear left". The right side is not my problem. And I still get to taxi. It's a long reach from the right seat, but it can be done......at least on flight sim. So, send me back to the right seat if you will, but you can NOT send my ego back to the right seat! Ok, have to go. Somewhere, and FO is trying to make a desision on his own. Captain awayyyyyyyyyyyyyy..........hey mom, can I borrow the station wagon. and have you seen my hat?
09-11-2023, 10:54 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 675
What is your greatest piece of advice for first time Captain upgrades at United?
United has thousands of highly experienced pilots retiring in the years ahead. With new hires likely soon to be on an accelerated track to the left seat, now more than ever, mentorship and transfer of knowledge is critical.
For those that have United Captain experience, what is some advice you’d give to someone now upgrading? Something you wish you’d have been more prepared for or someone would have told you before moving to the left seat?
I’m not confident there won’t be thread drift and infighting about the TA, but maybe there could be some nuggets of solid info here for junior pilots aspiring for the left seat.
United has thousands of highly experienced pilots retiring in the years ahead. With new hires likely soon to be on an accelerated track to the left seat, now more than ever, mentorship and transfer of knowledge is critical.
For those that have United Captain experience, what is some advice you’d give to someone now upgrading? Something you wish you’d have been more prepared for or someone would have told you before moving to the left seat?
I’m not confident there won’t be thread drift and infighting about the TA, but maybe there could be some nuggets of solid info here for junior pilots aspiring for the left seat.
09-11-2023, 11:00 AM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 1,860
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
