Captain's place is on the bridge?

[Robert DeSoto]

Riker always made a big fuss about Starfleet policy not to have the Captain lead an away and Picard usually abides.

So this policy maybe wasn't in effect during Archer or Kirk's time. But Janeway and Sisko always seemed to lead their own away missions. Kira probably doesn't care about enforcing Starfleet away mission policies, but shouldn't Worf and Chakotay say something? I don't remember either or them making a big deal about it.

 

[The Wormhole]

The real world reason is that the captains are the main characters so they get to see the most action. In TNG, Riker was specifically created to be the action hero.

In Voyager's early years Chakotay did indeed lead away teams, it was the later years where Janeway seemed to take charge in that area. Of course, being in the Delta Quadrant does offer the opportunity to take some rather liberal definitions of Starfleet policy.

DS9 rarely had away missions, and even then I don't remember Sisko going on too many anyway.

 

[Timo]

...Really, Sisko going on an adventure aboard the Defiant might already be considered abandoning his assigned post, regardless of whether he beams down or not. The first time he did that, it was a one-way sortie to the heart of darkness; beyond that, though, Starfleet really should have sent an officer to do one or the other of the jobs Sisko deserted.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Nardpuncher]

I see it as one of those big concepts that Gene had for The Next Generation but soon became impractical.
Like saucer separation and families on board and a 10 to 15 year mission on a ship that should last for 100 years or more.
Those things sound good in the writer's bible and are quite good ideas realistically,but when you're trying to tell a good story they may hinder it.

 

[The Wormhole]

...Really, Sisko going on an adventure aboard the Defiant might already be considered abandoning his assigned post, regardless of whether he beams down or not. The first time he did that, it was a one-way sortie to the heart of darkness; beyond that, though, Starfleet really should have sent an officer to do one or the other of the jobs Sisko deserted.

Timo Saloniemi

Well, the Defiant was technically Worf's command, and he even says as much in Apocalypse Rising. And indeed, we see multiple episodes where Worf is in command and Sisko's back on the station. Though you are right, there is an alarming amount of times Sisko is on the ship when he should be back on the station. Mind you, it is possible he was under orders from Admiral Ross or whoever when he was aboard the Defiant during Dominion War battles.

 

[Robert DeSoto]

The real world reason is that the captains are the main characters so they get to see the most action. In TNG, Riker was specifically created to be the action hero.

In Voyager's early years Chakotay did indeed lead away teams, it was the later years where Janeway seemed to take charge in that area. Of course, being in the Delta Quadrant does offer the opportunity to take some rather liberal definitions of Starfleet policy.

DS9 rarely had away missions, and even then I don't remember Sisko going on too many anyway.

You're right, I think Chakotay did lead more away teams in the beginning. But I don't remember him ever saying anything whenever Janeway wanted to lead the mission herself. Riker always made a big fuss about it.

As for Sisko abandoning his post, I don't think is quite the same thing. DS9 doesn't face the same dangers as a Federation starship out on in unknown space. The Federation has already explored the area around Bajor and made contact with nearby species. Each of those species know that DS9 is Federation outpost and that destroying it would mean an act of war against the Federation.

I think the idea to have the Captain on the bridge was to oversee the overall mission and look after the safety of the ship. Sulu, or whoever is left in command of the Enterprise, will not abandon his Captain. When the Enterprise is in danger, it's Kirk that has to call the Enterprise and order them to abandon his team for the safety of the ship. If he loses contact, the Enterprise will probably stay and fight the Klingons, Gorn, Tholians, whoever.

However with the Captain on the bridge, he can make the decision to sacrifice the away team if he feels its necessary to save his ship. I think the Captain is more likely and better trained to make these decisions than younger officers like Sulu who would probably stay and fight.

 

[Mysterion]

I see it as one of those big concepts that Gene had for The Next Generation but soon became impractical.

(snip)

Those things sound good in the writer's bible and are quite good ideas realistically,but when you're trying to tell a good story they may hinder it.

Actually, it was an idea of David Gerrold's, which he first wrote about in his book The World of Star Trek back in 1973. I do agree with you, though, while a great idea in a real-life Starfleet, a bad idea for dramatic tee-vee.

 

[JarodRussell]

It has always been solely Riker's policy, not official Starfleet policy.

 

[Vanyel]

Data: That is the regulation, sir. Starfleet code, section 12, paragraph 4.....

 

[WillsBabe]

I think the stipulation as to whether the captain's place is on the bridge or not depends on the demands of the particular show. I'm sure though that it can't be something that Riker just "made up". Surely Picard would have had something to say about that!

 

[JarodRussell]

Data: That is the regulation, sir. Starfleet code, section 12, paragraph 4.....

Nemesis doesn't count in that case. Shut up!

 

[Damask]

Well, the Defiant was technically Worf's command, and he even says as much in Apocalypse Rising. And indeed, we see multiple episodes where Worf is in command and Sisko's back on the station. Though you are right, there is an alarming amount of times Sisko is on the ship when he should be back on the station. Mind you, it is possible he was under orders from Admiral Ross or whoever when he was aboard the Defiant during Dominion War battles.

The Defiant was Sisko's command. Worf states that he commands the Defiant when the captain isnt there. He's the 2nd officer.

 

[The Wormhole]

Well, the Defiant was technically Worf's command, and he even says as much in Apocalypse Rising. And indeed, we see multiple episodes where Worf is in command and Sisko's back on the station. Though you are right, there is an alarming amount of times Sisko is on the ship when he should be back on the station. Mind you, it is possible he was under orders from Admiral Ross or whoever when he was aboard the Defiant during Dominion War battles.

The Defiant was Sisko's command. Worf states that he commands the Defiant when the captain isnt there. He's the 2nd officer.

It can be debated that the Defiant is very much Worf's command. When you consider how many missions he took the ship on without Sisko tagging along.

Besides, even in situations where Sisko, Kira and Worf are on board the Defiant, Worf is the Defiant's first officer, not second. In fact, in Paradise Lost we see Worf in command of the Defiant, and Kira is taking orders from him.

 

[Vanyel]

Well, the Defiant was technically Worf's command, and he even says as much in Apocalypse Rising. And indeed, we see multiple episodes where Worf is in command and Sisko's back on the station. Though you are right, there is an alarming amount of times Sisko is on the ship when he should be back on the station. Mind you, it is possible he was under orders from Admiral Ross or whoever when he was aboard the Defiant during Dominion War battles.

The Defiant was Sisko's command. Worf states that he commands the Defiant when the captain isnt there. He's the 2nd officer.

It can be debated that the Defiant is very much Worf's command. When you consider how many missions he took the ship on without Sisko tagging along.

Besides, even in situations where Sisko, Kira and Worf are on board the Defiant, Worf is the Defiant's first officer, not second. In fact, in Paradise Lost we see Worf in command of the Defiant, and Kira is taking orders from him.

But wasn't it in "Tears of the Prophets" when Sisko became disoriented Dukat closed the Wormhole. It was Kira who took command despite Worf being on the bridge.

 

[Saquist]

Well, the Defiant was technically Worf's command, and he even says as much in Apocalypse Rising. And indeed, we see multiple episodes where Worf is in command and Sisko's back on the station. Though you are right, there is an alarming amount of times Sisko is on the ship when he should be back on the station. Mind you, it is possible he was under orders from Admiral Ross or whoever when he was aboard the Defiant during Dominion War battles.

The Defiant was Sisko's command. Worf states that he commands the Defiant when the captain isnt there. He's the 2nd officer.

It can be debated that the Defiant is very much Worf's command. When you consider how many missions he took the ship on without Sisko tagging along.

Besides, even in situations where Sisko, Kira and Worf are on board the Defiant, Worf is the Defiant's first officer, not second. In fact, in Paradise Lost we see Worf in command of the Defiant, and Kira is taking orders from him.

yeah she's not Star Fleet it doesn't make sense to give her command of the star ship...a station is different.

 

[AstroSmurf]

Just a little piece of info about Kira and Worf's status on the Defiant... The episode "Apocalypse Rising" established that Worf is the first officer of the Defiant and Kira is the first officer of the station. There were a couple of times where the writer's chose to break that rule for a story but for the most part they were consistent.

 

[Timo]

We could argue that it was the heroes who broke the rule, as most of Sisko's job consisted of rule-breaking with the purpose of opposing the rigidity of Bajoran or Klingon customs or habits or even Starfleet regulations and bringing the parties closer together. A bit of role-blurring and favoritism would go a long way on people like Kai Winn or Gowron, both of whom also eagerly practice it.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Gary7]

Just a little piece of info about Kira and Worf's status on the Defiant... The episode "Apocalypse Rising" established that Worf is the first officer of the Defiant and Kira is the first officer of the station. There were a couple of times where the writer's chose to break that rule for a story but for the most part they were consistent.

Good catch. I was always wondering about this... missed that detail from the episode.

It does make sense for the captain's place to be on the bridge, when the ship is underway. Once at a destination, it's not essential that the captain remain on the bridge, but it's certainly a good idea if there's a hazardous situation afoot for the ship. But with away missions incurring obvious life risks, I seriously don't think it's smart for the captain to lead the mission unless he has specific skills that call for it beyond what others can do. TNG, DS9 and VOY seemed to follow this inconsistently in a number of episodes. They probably felt it necessary to do that in order to make the shows more interesting.

What would be interesting is to consider which episodes where it seemed like totally the wrong idea for the captain to lead the away missions. I can't really think of any at the very moment, but I'm sure there's plenty.

 

[Vanyel]

The Best of Both World Part I

Deanna: Commander Riker, it is inappropriate for you to lead the away team. Until the return of Captain Picard you are in command of the Enterprise. We are in a state of war and your place is on the bridge.