Pride, Pros, and Frequent Fliers
Gerald P. Joering (Gerry_Joering_at_CompuServe.COM)
Thu, 5 Jun 1997 03:07:54 -0400
It is ironic that some of the best people at putting numbers in the windows
wind up as discipline system or Professional Standards frequent fliers
because they are so focused on one or another of the technical aspects of
the job that have totally shut off input from other crewmembers, ATC, and
even supervisory pilots. Technical skill is a goal to strive for but there
is so much more beyond. It can also be an excuse for not performing in
other areas. "How can you criticize me if I held my altitude withing 2 feet
and my airspeed within 1 knot?".
I suspect we all have fond memories of this or that role model who really
inspired us to move ahead. I think our training systems have become so
industrialized that we forget people will naturally seek role models. If
they happen to look up to some one who we might term a rogue pilot, then we
have just created a new problem. We need to provide a better way for the
nuggets to identify acceptable behavior. A pilot who seeks precision
certainly could qualify in that aspect, but how does he/she handle other
roles and responsibilities?
Gerry