B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 13182; Flight Crew Type 8064
Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
The intent of this [report] is to begin a review into the FAA Air Safety Inspector (ASI) line check program. Over the past several years I have observed an increase in the overreaching and unreasonable number of line enroute checks. An ASI can have many different specialties. All of which entitles the inspector to a jump seat that requires an enroute line check of the flight crew. Theses line checks are the veil that allows ASI non-aviators to get a free ride to their work or personal transport. I have been graded by a Flight Attendant (cabin inspector); radio technician; airframe tech; engine mechanic and even a fraud inspector who said that the line check was tremendous entertainment for him getting to the work destination. Receiving an enroute line check by people not qualified as pilots; let alone B777 ETOPS; overwater; Class 11 ops; is at the very least unprofessional. It does not matter how nice an individual is it's their very presence hovering over you that causes distraction and becomes a threat. Imagine a 7-hour line check by an airframe mechanic or cabin inspector followed by another 7-hour check the next day. All of these enroute check rides are for one reason. Free transportation for the FAA ASI to and from work sites or personal travel. All of which are paid for by the flight crew in the form of having to submit to an enroute line check with non-pilot ASI specialists. No one ever hears about this because the FAA is granted a jump seat without question and there is no disruption to the operation. Part 121 Air Carrier inspectors are more than welcome. However; they are far and few between. The rest are after a free ride. And the flight crews are the ones that have to submit to this distraction and onboard threat peering over our shoulders. This abuse of power must stop. The FAA as a government agency should buy a ticket for the ASI to their destination and stop using [my company] as their personal jet to and from work or their personal travel.
B777 Captain reported that line inspectors are using the FAA/Air Safety Inspector line check programs for their own personal transportation.