Originally Posted by wxguy
I've ridden many jumpseats (before 2001!) and this programming is straight-forward, but you have to know what you're doing, of course. The printout would have verified that the correct information is in place... and obvously it's the pilot-in-command's responsibility to verify all's OK. I don't see any risk here.
Agreed. All you have to do is pull up the LEGS page on the FMC to tell if the correct waypoints were entered and that any required vertical restrictions were in there. I'm sure the pilots rechecked the data before departing, but this procedure undoubtedly saved time, as the entry of a route can be time-consuming, as it also involves inputting projected winds aloft. I am certain as well that weights were checked and the resultant V speed calculations looked at; in any case, it is SOP for the two pilots to crosscheck the entries. Plus, you have to do this in two FMCs. Good for this guy in taking some initiative. ^