What is a comat pilot?

A comat pilot, or "comat" (short for "commercial pilot in command"), refers to a pilot who is flying a commercial aircraft but is not in command of the flight, typically serving as a co-pilot or first officer. This term is often used in the context of airline operations where pilots may be in a "comat" status while awaiting their turn to command a flight. It can also refer to a pilot who is flying under specific conditions, such as training or evaluation flights, where they are not the final authority.