Teamwork in the cockpit

Many airlines are increasing the effectiveness of airline flight crews by using the Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) training technique which emphasizes teamwork and communication. The idea behind CRM is that routine problems and air disasters may be able to be avoided if crews learn to communicate and work together to use all available resources. However, not everyone is in favor of CRM because traditionally flight crews have depended on the expertise of captains, and some pilots think CRM undermines the authority of captains. CRM-advocates believe the technique gives captains more resources. Currently the Federal Aviation Administration is lending its support to CRM by developing an advisory statement profiling CRM's importance.
TEAMWORK IN THE COCKPIT United Airlines Flight 173, heading into Portland, OR, was in trouble. Despite good weather conditions, superb visibility, light air traffic and a timely arrival, the crew [...]