Airbus 318/319/320/321 Undifferentiated
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction
No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
We had an FAA jumpseater on our flight.  He was waiting by the aircraft door as we arrived at the airplane.  He said he was part of the aircraft maintenance group.  When he first met the Captain and I; he said words to the effect of 'I hope I don't have to bust you guys today.'  The Captain and I were surprised by this (as we discussed later between the two of us). (The Captain and I remained professional throughout the flight.)  Again; we had just met him.  He followed me during the walk-around.  I told him to ask any questions he wanted.  He had no questions at any point during the entire flight.  While in the jumpseat during our preflight he made another reference about 'not having to get us in trouble'.  The captain and I did not think he was joking.  Also; we both believed we did nothing during any portion of the flight that would have brought upon ourselves a reason for him to talk in such a way. The FAA individual in question said his job is very boring and he sits behind a desk all day.  In my estimation; he thought this is how the FAA acts when around pilots.In retrospect; I think if a similar situation arose I would confront the person to express how inappropriate those type of comments are.  Also; I think those type of comments create a very non-trusting relationship between pilots and the FAA and go against many of the foundations of the Safety program.
An First Officer reported that upon meeting a FAA Maintenance Inspector for the first time at their departure gate he said 'I hope I don't have to bust you guys today.' The Inspector's normal work was at a desk and his comment did not help build a trusting relationship.