Checking the Validity of Flight Crew Licences before flight

[porak]

In Sri Lankan Airlines the Air Crew are required to show their Licences to the Flight Dispatcher , before every flight. The Dispatcher checks the validity of the same.Is he qualified to do so? Is this standard airline practice? Is their any other Airline which practices such a procedure?

Your comments please

[chimbu warrior]

Have experienced a carrier where the Captain had to inspect all licences to check for validity, instrument rating, medical and english proficiency, then he had to check all passports for validity and visas.

Not much time left to check weather or notams.

[porak]

Many thanks CW. Don't we operate Airlines with an element of trust. Are we not responsible to the licencing authority, as professional airmen to fly with valid licences. As pilots can we go demanding the licences of the Dispatcher, the duty Engineer, Load sheet officer etc?

[Metro man]

May have something to do with the degree of computerisation of the company or is a left over from the old days.

A fully computerised rostering system would not allow someone to fly after the expiry of a licence or beyond the validity of a medical, base check or recency requirement.

Anything not current should flag up straight away and have to be attended to before flights are able to be allocated.

[porak]

The licence expiry dates are flagged in the computer. But the airline insists also on a physical check by the Dispatcher.

Is it yet another way of undermining Crew Authority?

Isn't self declaration good enough?

Who is entitled to peruse your Air Crew Licence?

[Capt Snooze]

My current employer requires that the Captain certifies before flight that all crew members have certain current documents on hand - license, passport, medical, company ID, security pass etc.

It's all about ensuring that no-one has forgotten anything that may be required by the authorities in the countries we visit!

Perhaps this is something similar.