When pushing back from an aero bridge the Captain is normally starting engines using his right hand, he is also steering the plane via the tiller which is in his left hand. The steering instructions are coming from the dispatcher on the ground controlling the power push unit (ppu) so the captain is listening to this in his left ear while also keeping an ear out for air traffic control (ATC) instructions via his right ear.
Now in aviation nothing happens for very long periods of time then everything happens at once. And this push back and start sequence is no different. It is not uncommon to have the right hand moving the start lever to start while steering with the left hand and hence getting a steering instruction from the dispatcher and having ATC give us traffic info. All the while making sure the million dollar engines are safely and correctly started.
So I say to you patting your head while rubbing your tummy is child’s play compared to this. One day I will do a study to see if girl pilots find this easier.
beechyblog 