By Gary DiNunno, Editor-in-Chief

But then, to be able to fly as cockpit crew with your child--that feeling can render speechless any otherwise voluble airline captain. When this captain says to this newly anointed first officer, "Take it, the airplane is yours," and the copilot acknowledges, "I've got it," much more than an aircraft full of passengers passes between those hands.

Through the years, airlines have had many father-and-son cockpit crews, some of whom have appeared in photos in Air Line Pilot. Even a few father-and-daughter crews have flown. Neither event creates press-stopping, eye-catching headlines anymore (I'm still waiting for a mother–daughter flight crew). Recently, however, an ALPA father-and-son crew did set a precedent--an active, elected ALPA international officer and son flew together for a revenue line flight. That hasn't happened before.

United provided the opportunity for me to join ALPA's vice-president–administration/secretary, Capt. Jerry Mugerditchian, and First Officer Mark Mugerditchian, on March 25, for one day during a regularly scheduled three-day trip. I had expected to see typical father-son give-and-take, with sage advice emanating from one side and patient resignation on the other.

What I observed was somewhat different. I found two pilots in the cockpit, one senior to the other, interacting as any captain and first officer should while flying passengers to their destinations as smoothly and safely as possible. The father-son relationship was held in abeyance--until reaching the layover hotel when the captain, after talking for several minutes on a cell phone, handed it to the first officer and asked, "Would you like to say hello to your mother?"

Not all U.S. carriers share United's philosophy that hiring a son or daughter of an active United pilot or other employee is a good idea. At United, however, the children of employees can participate in the Sons and Daughters Program, which helps those children through mentoring to get to the interview stage. The United Master Executive Council began the program, which the airline then adopted for all employees. While United had a history of hiring family members, the program established the practice of offering preferential interviews for the family members.

To be hired as a pilot at United, these family members must still meet the standard certification and experience criteria required of any prospective United pilot. The competition for pilot jobs at any U.S. major carrier is fierce. United, however, seems to have adopted a philosophy that prospective employees may develop a stronger bond with the airline if they are already all in the family.

The March 25 flight from Chicago to Louisville, then to Chicago, and finally to Houston, was the third line trip for the two Mugerditchians. "The first flight together was interesting," says Capt. Mugerditchian. "I wanted to fly with Mark on his first leg after he completed his line training and a line check airman signed him off. So, I was able to fly the final leg of Mark's third United trip. We were scheduled to depart Chicago at 6 p.m. for Greensboro, N.C., but we were delayed due to an aircraft mechanical problem. We changed airplanes and gates and then began our first trip together. But we had an additional 45-minute ATC ground hold due to departure area weather, which we did experience on takeoff and climbout.

"Because we were flying only one leg, I asked Mark if he wanted the takeoff or landing--he wasn't going to get both. He wanted the landing. So, I made the takeoff, climbed to altitude, and about halfway said, ‘It's your airplane.' He flew it from cruise and descended, made the approach and landing. By the time we arrived at the Greensboro gate, it was 11:30 p.m. EST. the next day we deadheaded back to Chicago because the flight was canceled. That was our first trip together."

Both father and son were very aware of the first time the aircraft changed hands. Capt. Mugerditchian says, "When I passed control to Mark, I was thinking that here's a young man who at one time felt he was not good enough to fly for United or any other major carrier. What he discovered is that if you set your mind on a goal, you can achieve that goal.

"For me, to be able to fly with Mark on his first leg as a solo United First Officer and to be able to say, ‘Your airplane, you have it,' was a thrill. Then, I never had to say another word. He took command. He did all the right things. It was a great descent and an excellent approach. It was a descent based on crossing restrictions. I did not have to tell him how I had it planned out. He was right on it. He came right in and made the descent and approach and a great night landing. He rolled out, and I took the airplane and parked it at the gate.

"I told him that I was proud of him, that this is quite an accomplishment. This was the moment that we had been waiting for. This is what all fathers dream of, but very few have the opportunity to experience or be a part of and share it with their children. And it just got better after that."

F/O Mugerditchian notes that he tries to keep personal emotions out of the cockpit: "I focus on the job and what the task requires."

He says, "Looking back on that event, though, it was pretty special. We split a leg--that was all we were going to get to fly as I had just finished IOE. He flew the takeoff, and I flew the landing. So, about halfway through, he gave the airplane to me. We were up about 35,000 feet. It was a beautiful night for flying. It was clear and the stars were out. Looking back on it, it was very special."

F/O Mugerditchian adds that the passing of command was a little bit captain-to-first-officer and a lot father-to-son. He says, "It was a moment he probably thought would never happen. I've had a full life, and I didn't know if it was going to happen for me either. It was great. It was wonderful."

"It's a thrill to fly with Mark," Capt. Mugerditchian says, "he's an excellent pilot. I'm very pleased with his skill level. He has a very soft touch with the airplane--very smooth at the controls. He thinks things out. There are no knee-jerk reactions with him."

How does a son follow in his father's footsteps to become an airline pilot? Generally, he does it the old fashion way--he earns it.

Capt. Mugerditchian remembers, "We had a Mooney 201 that we flew nonstop from Chicago to Savannah. Mark didn't like flying then. While attending a military academy as a teenager, he decided he wanted to learn to fly. They didn't have any flying activity then at the academy so he reactivated a dormant flying club. He earned his private pilot certificate and then decided he wanted to go on from there. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona and graduated four years later. Through network contacts from the military academy, he was put in touch with someone who owned a flight school. He was hired immediately as an instructor. He flew some charters. Then he got an interview at Great Lakes Aviation. One of his Embry-Riddle roommates was flying for Great Lakes and helped Mark arrange the interview.

"Mark was always up-front with Great Lakes about wanting to move on to a major carrier," Capt. Mugerditchian says. "He built his time and experience and wanted to come into the United Sons and Daughters Program early--he had about 700 hours. I told him no. I wanted him to fly at Great Lakes for at least two Midwest winters. I thought it important for him to learn more about flying in and out of O'Hare and what it meant to hold and to experience crosswinds as well as wet and slippery runways. He needed to experience winter ice and summer thunderstorms before he was ready to come to United.

"United retained his application for the program because even though the program helps a prospective United pilot get an interview, once the sons or daughters walk through the door, they have to meet the same qualifications and experience as a candidate who has 8,000–10,000 hours. The program gets you in the door, then you have to compete just like any other candidate.

"Mark worked very hard, and when I felt he was ready, I said O.K.," Capt. Mugerditchian says. "Perhaps as many as six out of ten children in the program are unsuccessful their first time through because they have not attained the experience and are unable to compete. Then, they have one final opportunity to apply through the program. So, Mark waited a year longer than he would have liked. He did well in his United interview and on his sim check the next day. He was in the new-hire pool awaiting a class date for nearly a year."

F/O Mugerditchian retells the story more concisely. He says, "I took flying lessons at age 16, earned my private license at age 17, and went to college. I completed my instrument and commercial, then flight instructor and multi-engine ratings. I flight instructed and flew some cargo, corporate, and charter to build time. I was then fortunate to get hired on at a regional carrier, Great Lakes, flying Beech 1900s. It was a great job. I really enjoyed it. It was an excellent way to build more time and learn the aviation industry. I was then hired at United about a year ago."

Both pilots have been able to teach the other a few things about flying the line. Capt. Mugerditchian says he has not had to give Mark many pointers about flying. "When we flew together as professional pilots, I was surprised and pleased with his experience and knowledge and his ability to handle an airplane.

"As a captain working with a first officer, I tend to be much more laid back than I do as a father. I observe everything that happens or doesn't in the cockpit and if my first officer does something wrong or could do something better, we discuss it immediately. I've never had to do that with any United first officer with whom I've flown. United first officers know their jobs well--it's part of their training. And Mark is no different than other first officers in this respect."

F/O Mugerditchian added, "Until United, we had never flown together. My father always stressed, ‘Safety is ALPA's cornerstone, so be safe. Don't rush. Don't go unless you're completely comfortable. Don't take chances.' These are key elements of being a professional pilot. And then, what he has passed on to me about life in general is ‘Go out there and have a good attitude. Anything you want to do you can do.' And so forth."

Capt. Mugerditchian learned a few lessons from his son. F/O Mugerditchian explains, "He doesn't get to fly too often. I have tried on numerous occasions to teach him to use ACARS. But perhaps that's a moot point at this time in his career. Just being out on the line every day is important. At airports he's never flown to, I've had to point out how to get into the flight ops office or where the hotel van picks us up for layovers."

The son says of his father, "He brings thirty years of experience flying airliners and eleven-plus years of being a captain [at Midway and United]. He brings a lot to the table, so we help each other out."

Capt. Mugerditchian concurs. "Mark's certainly a whiz with ACARS, and I don't work with it much. He's taught me many things you can do with ACARS that I didn't know were possible."

Both Mugerditchians have some advice for the future. Capt. Mugerditchian observes that Mark "is working in the greatest profession in the world. He's working for what's probably the greatest airline in the world--certainly one of the world's premier airlines. He should make sure that he stays on top of all the schools and training available, that he knows his airplane technically, and that he makes sure he's always ready and prepared when he goes out flying. For me, staying sharp and on top of your flying is the key to a successful and professional piloting career. And along with that goes the responsibility of not only being a professional pilot, but he is wearing a United uniform. He represents both himself and the airline in everything he does whether he is in uniform or not."

F/O Mugerditchian says that he's "run into quite a few people who ask, ‘What do you do?' ‘I'm an airline pilot.' ‘Oh man, that's great. I always wanted to be a pilot--I wanted to go in that direction.' Well, my advice is that you can always find a way to accomplish something if you really want it. Don't be afraid to try. Make the time if you want to become a pilot. Work a few extra hours just to earn enough to fly for an hour each week. Becoming an airline pilot is a difficult goal to achieve, especially for people just starting out. The end is so far away. But if you stick to it, you can succeed."

Capt. Mugerditchian notes that Mark was asked about getting involved in union work even before he came to United. Some of the pilots at Great Lakes wanted Mark to be a union representative with the Teamsters local. "I suggested that he was not quite ready for that responsibility," Capt. Mugerditchian says. "I told him that when he has some time under his belt at United he can begin to help other pilots--to pay back all those who came before him and worked on his behalf. He understands the importance of paying that debt. In fact, he's already helping in the carrier's new-hire program by working with other prospective pilots in United's Sons and Daughters Program."

Capt. Mugerditchian adds, "Mark has helped place a number of aspiring pilots at Great Lakes to get their careers started, and many of them are in the Sons and Daughters Program. I truly hope that someday they will have the opportunity to return to United and fly with their parent. Mark gets a ton of e-mail every day--who is hiring, who has been hired, and who hasn't, and why. I think he will become more involved in helping other pilots as soon as he completes probation--not only in getting hired, but in some ALPA work, too."

F/O Mugerditchian commented that flying with your father as captain is not so bad. "Before you go out flying with your father," he advises, "you should be sure that you don't owe him any money because if you do, you'll be buying the dinner on layover. That's the biggest worry."