But Tony isn't young, and shouldn't be naive. He has more aviation industry experience than a dozen average regional FOs having been an air traffic controller, member of NATCA, and evidently an employee of Douglas Aircraft. He's obviously been around long enough to see the ebb and flow of the industry...if he was paying attention.

No, I don't think your hypothesis works for Tony. Maybe some SKYWers, but not him.

Tony doesn't have to justify himself or any of his statements to me or anybody else...but I am curious why the shift in his demeanor has taken place.