Well, actually my flying with the "Colonels" is limited. Obviously I'm not happy about having to go back to the right seat. That goes without saying, but I honestly tried to provide an objection view of line ops at SWA from what I've observed.

A lot of factors go into it. First the "that's the way we've always done it" mentality is still present (you guys will be the first to admit that). Second, a large percentage of the Cptns. have zero prior airline experience. They're straight out of tanker or fighter and could use some advice on how to taxi and/or fly an aircraft with pax in the back.

I just DHed back to BWI and we landed on RWY 10. Jesus, why is there a need to jerk the people around in the back just to make the taxiway before 4-22. The first words out of the FA's mouth on the PA after landing were "Well folks, looks like the brakes work". How utterly embarrassing.

I think it comes down to guys that have never known better because they've never HAD to treat an aircraft with smoothness for the comfort of those in the back, coupled with the cowboy culture (that's fortunately waning), couple with not being taught any better by those doing the teaching.

Learning how to operate an aircraft efficiently during a time of high fuel costs should certainly be TAUGHT, but a lot of it is totally common sense. You don't start down early if you don't have to, you single-engine taxi whenever feasible, and you don't race to your next braking/stopping point. That doesn't take a degree from the schoolhouse to figure out. There is a lot of fuel being p!ssed away out on line.

The last guy I just flew with was absolutely great. A pleasure to fly with. He complained about the same things that I'm b!tching about here. Former corporate.....