Originally Posted by Lemonade

You have made some accurate observations but let me help you understand. Prior to the 2001-hires this airline was having a very difficult time retaining pilots due to the high volume of Legacy carrier hiring. In an effort to minimize the turnover the hiring team was given a mandate to hire only those who lacked 'big airline' qualifications. This meant those with no college degree, DUIs, accident history, and other crimes. It was successful to some degree. Anyone who doubts this can ask one of those interviewers. He is a checkairman now with the initials RW.

This airline is top heavy with an older group of pilots that were never capable of working at a better airline. Their low self esteem and fears were for many years spread through the lower ranks until it literally became part of our culture. Despite our relatively recent success as an airline this culture lives on in the webbing of our culture. Remember now that many of those individuals went on to become our union reps and checkairmen. They have a captive audience.

Hope that helps.