Sim sessions have been discussed many times, but we also do other checks in the aircraft.
When nearing the end of command training, you'll do a six sector flight, called a 'pre final'. You are expected to just run the flights, and deal with whatever comes up. But, some training input is still allowed, and questions will still be answered. That is followed by another six sector check, in which you must deal with everything...the buck stops with you. At that point you'll be let loose...only to run into another (single sector) check 90 days down the road...just to keep an eye on how you are going.
Checks at the end of conversion training will be one or two sectors. The conversions themselves will include 20 or so flights.
Annually we do a route check. This will consist of two short sectors, or one long one. The checking pilot will normally not be part of the crew. They keep out of the operation, but can mark you on your flying, or management of any of the issues that come up. They will also have a very short quiz / discussion session in the cruise. Route checks have the most amazing ability to throw up odd things that just never seem to happen day to day. Many a check Captain has been asked 'how did you arrange that'. Recent personal examples... a go around in LA after multiple unsafe gear indications, and more recently a series of computer glitches that made me think that Y2K had arrived 17 years late. And, of course, RdC's famous flight was also a route check...
