Hello!
Suddenly this topic has become high lit because of the recent documentary. I met Nathan Fielder, creator of The Rehearsal, was interviewed and filmed for a small portion of the show. We were told at the time only it was about pilots, I was not asked about pilot communications.
I appreciate the original intention of trying to help improve aviation safety. We have an excellent safety record in our industry and there are many reasons why. Pilot communication is one of the key factors.
Pilot Personalities and Natural Abilities:
I want to start by expressing that who we are innately makes us drawn to flying airplanes. It sounds a little funny when I say it but there have been many studies done on us – lab rats. We are typically very visual people, strong left brains with talents in math and science. We are risk takers and are analytical. We tend to be type A personalities, motivated by our drive, goals, ambition, and self challenge. We like to build things, fix things, and solve problems. We dream mostly in pictures, not in words. Our minds generally work in black and white, schematics, maps, and multi-dimensions. 20% of the public are visual thinkers, 80% are verbal according to Dr. Cheri Florance, double PhD in speech/hearing science and psychology.
Socialization:
We do like to hang out with each other, we understand how one another thinks and operates. Many aspects that are strong characteristics for being a great pilot does not translate well in the general world. As an example, we need to be clear and concise in the cockpit with each other as well as those we are in direct communication with. One misunderstood word could mean the difference between life and death. We tend to communicate this way in our personal lives as well which can be misconstrued as too cold or too direct. We are simply trying to make sure our point has been received and understood as intended.
With the advances in technology, we generally no longer socialize in groups together in classrooms or for training events. This is affecting some of our ability to meet and form friendships with one another. Literally, we are ‘two planes passing in the night.’
Why Pilots are Not Very Social:
As I explained to Paige Cromwell, the reporter for The Seattle Times in the article below, I want you to imagine sitting in a cubicle side by side with your co-worker listening to a podcast for twelve hours. You must listen to every word and occasionally comment with each other about what is being said. Let’s take it one step further and say your cubicle is moving at 600 MPH and you are operating it via your computer. Now, do this for four days straight and also through the night.
My point is that the last things a pilot typically wants to do when they finally have a break is listen and speak. It is critical that we hear everything air traffic control is transmitting, listen to all the other pilots on frequency, coordinate with our company dispatchers and maintenance technicians, work together with our flight attendants, and serve our passengers with the safest, smoothest, and on-time flight as possible. When we do get quiet time, we just want some peace and solitude.
Another factor is that we have a lot on our minds. We are thinking about the specific jet we are about to fly, maintenance issues we may need to contend with, the weather which may affect us on departure, enroute, and destination. Will we possibly need to hold or divert? What are our weights, center of gravity, and fuel load we need to take. What NOTAMS (Notices to Airmen) will affect us such as runway closures, inoperative approaches, etc. We are thinking about the airspace, departure, arrival, and airports from where we will be operating and how we must accurately fly these specially with altitudes, locations, and speeds. We are thinking of aircraft and airport security, who our crew is, will be able to give our passengers a safe, smooth, and on time flight. If not, what are ways we can best support our company and accommodate everyone involved.
Briefings and Debriefings:
This is something we do not only before we get to the aircraft, but also before we operate the flight, during, and afterward. This allows for assessments, critique, confusion, clarification, and opportunity for clear understanding and training. The medical community implemented safety protocols such as what we use as standards in our aviation industry such as those you are reading about here. Checklists, verifications, and confirmations when it comes to patients have prevented countless medical errors.
Specific Safety Communication and Psychology on the Flight Deck:
The captain has the ultimate authority. The final decision lies with the captain. Having said that, it is imperative to public safety there are two highly experienced, well qualified pilots at the aircraft controls. C0-pilots generally have less experience than captains, they are building knowledge and time to eventually move into the command position from the left seat. It is important that the captain be an effective leader and mentor, a clear communicator and listener. Some co-pilots decide to stay in the right seat in order to have more control over the type of aircraft they fly, scheduling for days off, or trip locations and layovers.
We are not in the jet to “make friends.” We are there to keep everyone safe. Getting along well is a bonus. Yes we want to set a an open and professional work environment, it is not about making each other feel good or hurting the other persons feelings. We are there to do our jobs well.
Because of past lessons learned from accidents, CRM (Crew Resource Management) was implemented. We have specific tools we use to speak up and gain the attention of the other pilot if we need to. We have a series of escalation words we use. If those do not work, we can firmly touch the other pilot and use verbal emphasis to make our point. If those don’t work, we can use air traffic control for added directives depending on the circumstance. Taking over the controls from the assigned flying pilot is a last resort and only done if necessary for safety.
There is no place on the flight deck or on duty for pilot mental health issues or feelings. They are distractions to our core mission. The flying public does not want our attention on anything other than making solid decisions and flying the jet safely. We are experts in compartmentalization, meaning we have the ability to leave personal issues behind, back on the ground, out of our minds, until at which point we are able deal with them. Times for this would be on our layover or our days off. If we feel it would compromise safety in any way, we call off the trip and allow another pilot to take our place. Any unresolved conflict that takes place on the jet should be addressed once the aircraft is shut down at the gate or discussed over a meal once off duty.
Click the link below for The Seattle Times article.
Yes we can do more to work toward greater effective communication with additional training practices using scenarios and situations. Ultimately, highly experienced and well trained pilots who feel empowered to always keep safety as their primary focus is a main factor in keeping us all safe.
Wishing you Smooth Flights and Blue Skies!
Captain Laura
