Professionalism

[B767Driver]

Professionalism and conducting your cockpit in a businesslike matter is a huge issue with me. I just read the Lexington CVR transcript that was released. Overall, I thought the crew conducted themselves in a pretty professional manner. However, they are getting creamed here in CVG and nationally in the press for some slight infractions of the sterile cockpit rule.

We don't see too many aviation accidents, thankfully. When we do, we have to learn from them. If you are a youngster starting out, or a current professional pilot...I suggest you stop here for some reflection. Your actions in the cockpit are not for your eyes only. This fact alone should not be the basis for exemplary airmanship and professionalism...but if you operate on less than that basis I suggest some changes. It doesn't matter how much you make, what you fly, the relationship between the union and the company, how tired or mistreated you feel, or whether it's the first leg or the last of six. When you close the door and start the engines...you are a professional...with all of the authorities and responsibilities that go along with it.

Superlative levels of professionalism will probably enable you a blemish free career. If not, it will spare you the indignities of a less than proud legacy. Your actions speak not only for you...but for all pro pilots everywhere.

Sermon over.

[meritflyer]

Amen to that.

[Aviator737]

Hear, hear.

[murl]

Originally Posted by B767Driver

Professionalism and conducting your cockpit in a businesslike matter is a huge issue with me. I just read the Lexington CVR transcript that was released. Overall, I thought the crew conducted themselves in a pretty professional manner. However, they are getting creamed here in CVG and nationally in the press for some slight infractions of the sterile cockpit rule.

We don't see too many aviation accidents, thankfully. When we do, we have to learn from them. If you are a youngster starting out, or a current professional pilot...I suggest you stop here for some reflection. Your actions in the cockpit are not for your eyes only. This fact alone should not be the basis for exemplary airmanship and professionalism...but if you operate on less than that basis I suggest some changes. It doesn't matter how much you make, what you fly, the relationship between the union and the company, how tired or mistreated you feel, or whether it's the first leg or the last of six. When you close the door and start the engines...you are a professional...with all of the authorities and responsibilities that go along with it.

Superlative levels of professionalism will probably enable you a blemish free career. If not, it will spare you the indignities of a less than proud legacy. Your actions speak not only for you...but for all pro pilots everywhere.

Sermon over.

Could someone briefly describe what you mean by the sterile cockpit rule? Don't talk about things not related to the flight or what?

[JEP]

Originally Posted by murl

Could someone briefly describe what you mean by the sterile cockpit rule? Don't talk about things not related to the flight or what?

Sec. 121.542 - Flight crewmember duties.
(a) No certificate holder shall require, nor may any flight crewmember perform, any duties during a critical phase of flight except those duties required for the safe operation of the aircraft. Duties such as company required calls made for such nonsafety related purposes as ordering galley supplies and confirming passenger connections, announcements made to passengers promoting the air carrier or pointing out sights of interest, and filling out company payroll and related records are not required for the safe operation of the aircraft.

(b) No flight crewmember may engage in, nor may any pilot in command permit, any activity during a critical phase of flight which could distract any flight crewmember from the performance of his or her duties or which could interfere in any way with the proper conduct of those duties. Activities such as eating meals, engaging in nonessential conversations within the cockpit and nonessential communications between the cabin and cockpit crews, and reading publications not related to the proper conduct of the flight are not required for the safe operation of the aircraft.

(c) For the purposes of this section, critical phases of flight includes all ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, and all other flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight.

[whaleroast]

Originally Posted by B767Driver

Professionalism and conducting your cockpit in a businesslike matter is a huge issue with me. I just read the Lexington CVR transcript that was released. Overall, I thought the crew conducted themselves in a pretty professional manner. However, they are getting creamed here in CVG and nationally in the press for some slight infractions of the sterile cockpit rule.

We don't see too many aviation accidents, thankfully. When we do, we have to learn from them. If you are a youngster starting out, or a current professional pilot...I suggest you stop here for some reflection. Your actions in the cockpit are not for your eyes only. This fact alone should not be the basis for exemplary airmanship and professionalism...but if you operate on less than that basis I suggest some changes. It doesn't matter how much you make, what you fly, the relationship between the union and the company, how tired or mistreated you feel, or whether it's the first leg or the last of six. When you close the door and start the engines...you are a professional...with all of the authorities and responsibilities that go along with it.

Superlative levels of professionalism will probably enable you a blemish free career. If not, it will spare you the indignities of a less than proud legacy. Your actions speak not only for you...but for all pro pilots everywhere.

Sermon over.

Good decision making has a lot to do with it too. You could be the most professional pilot, say all the right things when you need to, but if you can't decide what us right and what is wrong at crucial moments, you're gonna make a headline.

Sometimes professionals lack that decision making gene.

[H46Bubba]

The local media here in CVG is raking the pilots over the coals.....again. "News at 11. Comair pilots violated company and FAA rules in Lexington crash." I hate the news media.