Hedley

That is why I tell FO's to text the captain if they haven't heard anything from them. Not only will it most likely save them a trip to an empty FPA, it is a subtle reminder to the CA that they're required to notify the other pilot if they prefer an alternate location.

Guppydriver95

Good technique👍🏼

JoePatroni

Before iPads everyone went to the FPA, it was the only way to get the release.

60av8tor

This is exactly what I always did as a NB FO. Canned message saying I'd see you at the plane unless I hear back otherwise. Had maybe 1 in a few years meet in the FPA and it was only to print a master release. Almost every CA made a comment about appreciating me reaching out to them.

And this makes sense. Just like using the FBO computer for the radar picture and calling FSS for a brief and to file. Now :5 with an iPad and Foreflight replaces all that. I'll meet wherever the skipper wants to meet, and the overwhelming majority at my base did not meet in the FPA, but there's very little, if anything, that can only be done in the FPA. On the WB now and mandated to meet in the FPA and even with that, other than printing the release and the call to dispatch, we all sit around the table and stare at our iPads.

kevin18

what’s your point?

fostro

This is a great SOP, however, Captain 3 cell phone said he didn't see the text on his 2nd phone. I can't wait to be a 30-year WB Captain with 3 phones and 6 houses. LOL

In Unity...

Hedley

I usually ask people if CA's contact them if changing the spot, and who actually meets in the FPA. My base (IAH) is horrible at notifying the FO, most just assume that the FO will go to the plane. When trips get broken up and I end up with someone from other bases, I usually ask them what the norm is. Most say that meeting at plane the norm, but in other bases, the captains seem to be much more proactive in notifying the FO of the alternate site. ORD seems to have more people who want to meet in ops than other bases, but even then based on what I have been told, it's only about 25-30% that feel that way. Being that practically every single FO on the NB fleets is a post merger hire, the unanimous consensus that I have found is that they feel annoyed when the captain wants to go to ops. The attempt to "mentor" has been reduced since they have started the trip viewing the captain in a negative light.

ThumbsUp

The only reason FOs don’t go to the FPA is because only 5% of CAs do. They are conditioned not to and after a dozen times of staring at ceiling while the CA is already at the gate. So, if you’re one of the 5%-ers that likes to meet in the FPA for some strange reason, do yourself a favor to lower your blood pressure and just shoot your FO a text if he didn’t already reach out to you.

Broncofan

This is not the way, the captain sets the meet point. If you don’t hear from him, you meet at the FPA

60av8tor

Whatever dude. You do you. I'm not dicking around guessing every trip if a CA is going to contact me or meet in the FPA or at the plane. Maybe you missed the part where I added "unless I hear back from you". Yeah, CA is always free to tell me to meet in the FPA. About 90% specifically commented that they appreciated the contact.

And if I don't hear from him and I go to the FPA and he doesn't..? Efff that. Waist your own time if you want to, not mine. A few times twidling my thumbs in the FPA as a newb to UA was enough shenanigans. Not gonna guess if the next guy is the 1/100 that actually goes to the FPA - the same that don't put any contact info in CCS.