Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Human Factors
Our flight was departing from a non-controlled airport. With our flight plan received; the Center issued an IFR release holding short of the runway. I read back fly runway heading; climb and maintain 10;000 feet. Traffic call on Unicom was issued; and we departed the airport. I was the Pilot Flying (PM). At around 3;000 feet. Captain unilaterally went into the FMS box; pulled up the first fix of our flight plan; hit ACTIVE; and then CONFIRM; and then armed and activated NAV on the flight guidance panel without me calling for anything. Additionally; ATC had not cleared us direct the fix. The actions of the Pilot Monitoring (PM) were so distracting that while hand flying the aircraft; my pitch was slightly higher than called for and we drifted less than 5 knots below green dot while I pitched down to pick up speed. I asked the Captain what she was doing and she replied 'The clearance'; this indicated to me that the deviation from the SOP was willful and intentional. We also hadn't been given direct the fix by the Center. During the flight the Captain who was the PM did not appear to keep a fuel score; and if she did she did not inform me if we were on target for fuel. This was a further breakdown of CRM. I kept a fuel score on my iPad when I hadn't heard her brief it in the air. I was afraid to say anything to prevent her from another outburst. She had cussed at me in the flight deck the previous day and when I had objected to that; she told me 'report me' I was trying to avoid further outbursts. During descent into ZZZ the First Officer (FO) floor was peeling up around the rudder pedals and emergency extension gear box. I told the Captain it needed to be written up. When we blocked in the Captain handed me the maintenance can and told me if I wanted it fixed I had to write it up. I asked her why she was acting so hostile and deviating from the SOP. I told her that I had not called for anything in the box during our departure; she replied that she was the Captain and it didn't matter. When I returned from the walk around; the Captain was exiting the aircraft with the maintenance can on the center console; nothing written up about the floor peeling up around the rudder pedals. There was a known maintenance issue and the Captain had refused to write it up while exiting the aircraft. I filled out the maintenance can; called maintenance and signed the logbook with my name signature and employee number. The pairing was split up in ZZZ1. The Captain in the day prior to these incidents had spoken to me in an inappropriate manner repeatedly; cursed at me; spoke in a condescending manner and made it increasingly difficult to maintain a CRM environment. I had twice tried to speak to the Captain to restore a CRM environment and was subject to her outbursts; raised voice; demands and inappropriate behavior. This report is being submitted to encompass the complete breakdown of CRM; and willful deviation of the SOP from the Captain. I've only experienced one other Captain that treated me in such a condescending; rude and inappropriate manner that resulted in a complete loss of CRM. This Captain exhibited a sense of impunity that her seniority allowed her to act in this manner. A more complete write up has been submitted to the Chief Pilot's office; and will be forwarded to professional standards as well. Suggestions for improvement: In training; the company discusses the importance of CRM; but doesn't actually train on CRM techniques or iterations. Training on techniques of CRM; how to get crews back on track; and discuss issues on a trip is needed. Training is absolutely needed to new FO's on how to deal with abusive; and inappropriate behavior by Captains. While rare; it's important to know how to handle it in flight and on a trip pairing. Where is the line between a Captain who is rude; and when that rudeness affects CRM and as a result affects safety of flight. When FO's are asked; is this Captain unsafe... what is that standard... is itobjective or purely subjective; and if it is purely subjective; is it fair to Monday Morning Quarterback an FO for saying so. I called for an extension of the reporting period at the conclusion of my trip pairing. I would be happy to provide the same write up sent to the Chief Pilot's office and answer any questions. There was information not directly involved in operating the aircraft and so I did not include it here. There should be some positive outcome from this experience; and I hope it results in better training in how to deal with these situations.
Air carrier First Officer reported a breakdown in communication and poor CRM from the Captain while in flight.