B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
Last minute FAA Observer put in cockpit jump seat instead of cabin due to full cabin of revenue passengers. FAA Observer had observed; evaluated; and briefed cabin crew expecting to ride in back. After reviewing the jump seat briefing card; during a routine jump seat briefing the FAA person requested a verbal briefing from the Captain. Captain complied and briefed egress; sterile cockpit; safety duties; O2 mask and other minor items. FAA advised Captain also needed to brief 'no smoking and use of seat belts.' This was done. The FAA Observer then stated the two items mentioned are a FAR requirement and that even though she was briefed in the cabin she needed to hear the Captain brief her on these two items; and asked if the resolved all issues. FAA Observer said that it did. Captain commented that smoking has been banned for 25 years and use of seat belts is common knowledge. Remainder of [the] flight [was] uneventful. However; the tone set in the initial introduction made both the Captain and First Officer uncomfortable and added a confrontational environment for the remainder of the flight. Late seat change adding FAA Observer to cockpit reduced normal time to meet & greet Observer; resulting in abbreviated J/s brief.
B737-800 Captain reports giving an FAA jump seat rider the briefing card then being requested to give a verbal briefing. After the verbal briefing the Captain is advised that he omitted the subjects of no smoking and seat belt usage and that these items are FAR requirements.