Two points. Recurrent GS is generally a boring process. Much of what the
FED (and I'm assuming throughout the world) regulates us to rehash is
fairly familiar; nevertheless, a good time to refresh the sometimes idle
brains cells. If an Instructor or Facilitator (at Comair these are two
distinct positions NOT held by the same individual) can infuse some humor
into an otherwise mundane exercise, I say "Go for it!" It tends to wake
some folks up (literally) as well as stimulate good discussions, if handled
correctly and timely.
Next up, your "touchy feelie" comment we are "made" to sit through
annually. As a facilitator for better than five years now, I've "put up"
with those types of remarks. NO MORE!!! I hear it each year, if not each
month I facilitate our recurrent CRM module here. Yeah, some of the
concepts are stretched a bit, but we have developed an outstanding program
here at Comair that has Mgmt and Line support alike. (yes, we also have
our 2% "drongo" factor -- who doesn't) Over the last couple of years, as I
hear the "t & f" remark, I immediately go to my experience as a line
Capt./Facilitator and refer to what I call the "Three Requirements of
Professional Pilots"
1) First and foremost, you are obligated to be Professional
2) Secondly, you should be Civil
3) and Thirdly, you may elect to be Social
There are pilots I don't like to fly with, for a variety of reasons and
I'm sure it's a safe bet that there are those who are not too crazy about
the prospect of flying with me at times. By following three fairly simple
edicts, I think it possible for any combination of crew-compliment to work
together through the normal and abnormal aspects of our occupation. By the
same token, I don't think it's asking too much to cover an area of
"training" that is still somewhat questionable in a great number of pilots'
minds. When the subject is approach with a degree of logic and humor that
gets pilots thinking, I doubt we've had many people expect the possibility
of a "group hug" at the end of our two hours.
Let me know what you think --
Jordan Brooks
Comair