First Officer Expectations: As a general rule, constantly be thinking The job description for the first flight of the about what things need to be done at any day basically says this: given time. Ask, “What else can I do?” and Chips do it. It doesn’t look good to be reading or Charts wandering around the lounge if the Checklist clearance isn’t picked up, or to be doing all of the weight and balance during the flight Meaning: (or, say, three flights later: which would be Chips: Do the catering. illegal if anyone ever did that, but I’m sure Charts: Set up the EFBs, fill the daybook nobody at Alpha does). and get out appropriate sectionals. Checklist: Do the pre-flight. So, here’s a checklist: Before EACH FLIGHT (including that first one, and thereafter): FIRST APPEARANCE Get the ATIS and clearance.  Chips (catering) Program the flight route into the GPS.  Charts (EFBs, daybook, sectionals) Put the code in the transponder.  Checklist (pre-flight) Do weight and balance sheet (except for luggage and fuel). WELL BEFORE EACH FLIGHT  Get the clearance All of these should be done before the  Program the flight route into the GPS captain is ready to go; really about a half  Put the code in the transponder hour before the flight. Note that the time  Weight and balance done (except for listed on the trip sheet should be (though luggage line) often is not, as we know) wheels up time, not engine start time. DURING START-UP  GPS up While the captain is going through start-up routines, the F.O. should:  MFD up Put the baggage and fuel lines on the weight  Radios to proper frequencies and balance sheet.  Check transponder code Push the buttons to get the GPS on the correct pages. DURING FLIGHT Push the buttons to get the MFD going.  Weight and balance luggage line Set/check the radios and transponder.  Expense reports  Put away used daybook charts During flight:  Trend reports Fill in expense reports.  Program day's routes in GPS Put away used daybook charts. Program future routes in GPS. AFTER EACH FLIGHT  Clean aircraft After each flight:  Refresh catering Clean aircraft (vacuum?). Refresh catering. END OF DAY  Dump coffee and ice End of the day:  Tag aircraft Dump out coffee and ice. Vacuum. Tag the aircraft.