At first glance, my schedule for the month of January indicated that I was to give a line check for the captain named on a particular date. I was wrong. The named captain was actually the one giving me the line check. I had forgotten that my check airman requirement was every 12 months as opposed to the 24 months required for a regular line pilot.
What exactly is a line check? Simply stated, a line check is an actual flight observed by a supervisory pilot to ensure that company procedures are being performed to the standards of the company and the FAA. The captain is technically the one that requires the qualification, but the check includes the entire cockpit crew. The captain is not required to fly. He or she is judged on the ability to safely command the flight. If the captain has always adhered to procedures, the flight is a nonevent.
All that being said, a line check is still considered a form of check ride. Even though it's an accepted practice for the profession, most airline pilots don't relish somebody looking over their shoulder. The event is considered on par with a trip to the dentist. We are anxious to go and relieved to leave. But this time my apprehension was minimal. Why?
I had just completed my first year as a check airman. I was developing confidence in both my abilities to negotiate the circumstances that I had encountered and my abilities to convey information. Although the responsibility of the job had proved more tasking, I was fulfilling my obligations with relatively few glitches. And I was becoming more intimate with procedural details.
A little refinement from an experienced check airman could only be a benefit. After all, we were the ones responsible for setting standards. Who else would give us guidance in that department?
In addition, another fellow check airman would also be on the receiving end of the line check. He would fly the return leg home. The mission had to be accomplished on a route that is typical of a pilot's current qualifications. In our case, a trip to Europe would fulfill the requirement.
When a choice of trips is available, it is customary for the check airman to decide on a destination. In that regard, as a courtesy I contacted Standardization Coordinator Captain Marty Reedy for his preference. Marty indicated that Zurich would be his first pick. I, of course, explained the virtues of a warmer climate in January. How about Barcelona instead? After a few days of consideration, Barcelona held up on appeal.
Displaying his signature gregarious smile, Marty marched into the check airman room of JFK Operations. With a firm grip, he shook my hand. He had arrived from his base in Chicago a couple of hours prior to our official sign-in time.
I had commuted in that morning from Florida and was still dressed in casual attire. When Ted Voss, the other check airman, joined us in the room a few moments later, Marty had an audience. He wasted no time in chiding me for my lack of uniform. The games had begun.
The three of us exchanged pleasantries with Marty leading the discussion. Eventually, I excused myself in order to don my costume. Upon my return, I shuffled over to a computer terminal to retrieve the flight plan for our trip to Barcelona. Ted and Marty joined me at the end of one of the counters while I organized the array of data into separate piles. It had been quite some time since I had simply reviewed a flight plan without performing the role of instructor.
As I scanned the information, a copilot who I had flown with on prior occasions walked by our gathering. He grinned. With a snicker, he remarked, "Holy crap … three check airmen!?" He shook his head. "Glad I'm not on that airplane!"
We smiled in unison. A scattered array of other pilots who were poised around computer terminals began to chuckle.
Marty and I cross-checked the track waypoints over the North Atlantic and then gathered the paperwork into an international folder. We collected our bags and began the walk to the gate.
As I slid my long winter overcoat and scarf over the top of my uniform jacket, I offered Marty an apology. I would be traveling without my hat. It had fallen victim to a wardrobe malfunction. The hat had suffered a structural failure that made it appear as though a blue pancake had been flopped on top of my head. It seemed that wearing it would disgrace the rest of my uniform.
Well, all right … I'll admit my sin. I'm not a good hat guy. My skiing friends will attest to my resistance toward headgear. I am hatless on days that even moose stay home. At least I'm consistent.
Marty's eyes narrowed. His grin held an evil quality. I was about to be scolded by the worst possible method -- humor. The scolding would continue from that moment on until we cleared Customs upon our return to JFK from Barcelona three days later. My good fortune of being blessed with a thick head of hair only made the abuse that much worse. Marty's hair was grey and thinning. Ted, whose quiet good nature forced him into the role of straight man, had inherited a close-cropped, but nappy mane. It was only natural for me to be the target. I had brought the abuse upon myself. Part of my job description was to set an example. I had failed in the uniform department.
Once on board the airplane, I began the trip with my standard briefing to our nine flight attendants. At the conclusion of my short speech, I offered regrets on behalf of Ted, Marty and myself. The flight attendants would not only have to conduct business with a cockpit full of captains but they would have to deal with three check airmen as well. They smiled, probably wondering who was really in charge.
I walked into the cockpit with my bags and began the process of preparing the airplane for an international flight. Marty had slid into the right seat and was busy organizing his side. Ted had completed the walk-around inspection and was dutifully attending to the remaining details of relief pilot, conducting business from the aft jumpseat.
The three of us began to banter. The typical dry humor of airline pilots permeated the mood. Marty was never lacking for information whether it was pertinent to the operation or just plain fun. I tried to maintain a diplomatic balance between a timely departure and enjoying Marty's lively discussions. Despite the appearance to an outsider that the cockpit atmosphere was more conducive to a stand-up comedy act, a careful orchestration of professional resources was actually occurring. We began our pushback on schedule.
