Trust is a significant part of our job. Not “blind” trust, but a “base level” of trust which then can be extended, or reduced, as appropriate. As pilots, we trust that the many folks involved in getting the aircraft safely to the point of departure have done their jobs. That includes the other pilot(s) we’re working with on a given day.
^ ^
This.
And some context for my outlook might help soothe the more agitated posters. (Godwin's Law?
) I've worked in companies where the experience in the right seat was very high, ones where it was very low. Places with massive cultural differences from Canada, in places where English isn't the primary spoken language, and SOP's that were 180 degree different from one company to the next.
I've always respected both SOP's and colleague's abilities, but it's also true I've had to babysit pretty closely at times. That's fine in some ways, it's partly why the paycheque is higher. But if it's my signature that goes in the logbook, of course I take a defensive position at all times, because that's what I'm defending, not my FO's feelings. 99% of the time there's no issue whatsoever, but I still have to guard against the 1%. I can't tell if someone is "a shit pilot or just an off day", as infiniteregulus puts it it, hence I adopt a healthy skepticism to identify the potential threat. When did this become a bad thing in aviation? It's pretty drama queen to characterize that as "paranoid" or "uneasy". And the reverse is true, any of my colleagues are free to assess my performance at any time, hell I expect it!
Perhaps if I only flew with other Canuckistanians for my entire career I could afford the luxury of a more complacent attitude. But one thing's for certain: if I catch a whiff of entitlement - and the stench is strong is several posts here - it raises red flags, instantly.
digits_, I suggest in your next CRM recurrent you ask the instructor to do a section on the phenomena "excessive professional courtesy" and the accidents its caused.
Until then, fly safe and don't taxi above 10 knots in the 90 degree turns!
I’m still waiting for my white male privilege membership card. Must have gotten lost in the mail.