LAX is still a 'small' base. Back when we had many small bases, they were all great, because everyone knew each other and even lived near each other, often car pooling to work. There were always tools, but you knew who they were, because their names were on the bathroom walls. So you knew who to call in sick for.
When BOS, MIA, ORD, IAH, MSY and DFW were closed, and most of that flying pushed into ATL, things went to sh!t, because all of a sudden there were thousands of unknowns, you didn't know who you could trust, fun wise. When I first came to ATL as an MD11 F/O after BOS closed, I couldn't believe some of the Captains I was flying with, there were some serious a-holes, Koop Aid drinking, management wannabes. BUT there were some great guys too, thankfully, most were great fun.
But just like a box of chocolates, you never knew what you were going to get!
Two things have contributed to the loss of Fun;
1. The two man cockpit vs. 3 man
2. The Mega Base concept, vs. lots of small bases.
When there were 3 pilots on the flight deck, you always had a 2 on 1 situation. If the Captain was a tool, the Copilot and Engineer could goof on him and ditch him on the layover, go out and have a good time without him. And you always had a witness if he was a jackass and you had to go see the CP.
The Mega Base concept (ATL) and PBS has pretty much eliminated any chance of knowing who you are flying with, unless you are in one of the very few 'small' categories there. So as an F/O you are on pins and needles until you figure out the other guy, and unless you are on the ER with 3 guys, you don't have any 'back up' if the guy in charge turns out to be a nit wit.
It is no surprise to me that some of the MD88 Captains are a little rough around the edges, you'd have to be to fly that pos for more than a couple weeks! If I ever got into an MD88 and the Captain said he LOVED it, I'd have to get up and leave!
That boy ain't right!