Originally Posted by
Airhoss
There is a huge difference between being a good captain and acting like a crusty unfriendly old sh!t head. The two usually don't go together real well. An effective leader can get everything they need to get done without intentionally p***ing everybody off. If some one needs a smack down you've got to be willing to give it but 99% of the time there are betters ways to deal with the situation.
I can't agree more. Being "rough around the edges" and drinking brown liquor doesn't make you a good captain.
I agree with the first post that we shouldn't be afraid of chief pilots, or management, or maintenance, or gate agents, or rampers, or anyone else when it comes to our absolute authority in terms of SAFELY operating the airplane.
The captain the first post described sounded more like the guy that tells his F/O to "[forget about it]" and blasts off in heavy snow without deicing.