Have you flown lately? How was the landing? Who made it?

[DemoTex]

A post in another thread brought this subject to mind. Who lands the jet most of the time? Most people assume that it is the captain. It is not. At most airlines the captain and first officer split flying the legs of a trip 50/50. The only exception, with most airlines, is with new-hire f/o's or during certain emergencies.

We had a rapid decompression at 35,000 feet in an MD-80 during the f/o's leg from Tampa to Pittsburgh. I was required, by my company procedures, to take control of the aircraft for the "high-dive" to a lower altitude (10,000 feet). But at 10,000 feet things were back to "normal." Since Pittsburgh was the closest suitable airport at that time, we continued on. I gave control of the MD-80 back to my excellent f/o, and he made a beautiful landing on 28L at PIT.

Here is my point. When you like the landing and want to compliment the crew, ask who made it. Don't just assume that the pilot with four stripes on the sleeves "greased it on". Same applies for a bouncer.

Carry on,
Mac


Whose hand is on the thrust levers? The F/O's!
Looks like Syracuse, but it is really Sweden.

[GOPisEvil]

1. Similarly, if the landing is, um, eventful, the one with the sheepish grin

is responsible.

I flew on 4 different MD-80s recently on one round trip. Edit - make that Super 80s. Why can't we just call them DC-9s anymore? ;-)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. In my last flight it was the captain both times and I did ask

It was Song Airlines and I'm pretty sure it was an L1011 that I flew to Tampa...touchdown was flawless...not a bounce or a tilt...it's my most nervous moment when flying so I always compliment when it's that stellar

[DemoTex]

3. Uh, that was MY flight! I made that landing.

That's the ticket. Actually, Lockheed aircraft are famously easy on the landing, especially the L-1011 and L-1329 (JetStar, which I flew for Ken Lay).

Mac


Lockheed Jetstar-II

[AZCat]

4. Out of curiosity...

How many type ratings do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

You seem to have amazing experience with aircraft - I am a little envious.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Wow..I'm not surprised

the hot air in the cabin area of that plane probably softened the landing too :evilgrin: