IMO you just have to sort the chaff from the real threats. Nobody ever lost their job for starting a 2nd engine early or pulling off to the side because they didn't feel like they were ready to go. I'm not jaded into a screw-the-company at all costs mentality; however, they talk out of both sides of their mouths or are penny-wise and pound-foolish on so many issues I find it necessary to do what is important to defend my livelihood.

I find that when I am rushed it is rarely if ever as a result of something we did as a crew. Most of the time it is an external factor such as WX or ATC and to a lesser extent because of something internal to DAL such as ground crews, unrealistic scheduling, or incorrect/missing paperwork. I don't get paid to rush and fix other people's mistakes. None of them will lose their ticket if I bend metal or violate a clearance trying to fix their errors. I just don't see the benefit in rushing to cover somebody else's mistakes.