Originally Posted by
symbian simian
New to UA, but aviation since 1990. Have always firmly hold on to: "if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem". I believe you can't complain if you don't actively try to solve. You believe doing the minimum is the way. Your attitude will guarantee no change will ever happen. I would never walk of the plane without making sure DC/AC were hooked up for the next crew. Half the planes I walked onto had the APU running, external power and air connected. So, obviously, what I did had zero effect. But I sure as $#!t feel better going below the wing and trying, and writing those emails about the air not getting hooked up. Yes, we are paid by the hour. But all of us compare ourselves not to the janitor or the nurse, but to the doctor or attorny. Would you be happy if you heard your doctor or attorney say:'I'll never understand the anger I get for telling people to just do what they are required to do and nothing else"
you've hit on professionalism ... some people just don't get it, they fly the plane and as soon as they set the BRAKE, they run for the hotel like the plane was on fire
then they whine about professionals who make them feel/look bad because we actually act, well, professionally ... we care about our pax, coworkers and fellow pilots, are conscientious, and try to improve things
if everyone read and conducted themselves per the alpa code of ethics things would improve but I suspect the whiners haven't heard of it much less abide by it
in many other industries a lack of professionalism is punished directly by lost customers, revenue and jobs...there is not as direct a connection in aviation
so inconsiderate jerks can get by as long as they're safe and competent pilots...only those who fly with them (and read apc) have to deal with them directly
the good thing is they call themselves out (cue one doing just that in three, two, one...)