Originally Posted by
Sink r8
Keenster,
Every time I read a sentence that includes the premise that "North guys are more militant...", it's difficult to give any credence to anything that follows. So let's try to look at that, and not get all territorial and go all "colors" and "bi-polar" on each other.
There is no polite way of describing the opposite of "more militant" in our industry. When you say someone isn't "militant", you mean they're really just a [might as well insert picture of kitten here].
Except for a few girlscouts, the South pilots do not have to take lessons from any other group of being "militant". A militant pilot is an activist that wants more, and is determined to get more. My impression of most pilots across the industry is that they are all militant. They certainly use different strategies and tactics, and they face different set of circumstances, but most all pilot groups are quite militant. Not all are successfull.
What's happening at Delta now is unusual by our own standards, and definitely unusual in the industry. This experiment with Moak and this MEC is definitely a change. At some point in the future, it is quite possible, if not likely, that it will run its' course, and circumstances may change for the uglier, as you describe. At that time, we will adapt. But at any time, the South guy that's next to you on the list can be counted on to be just as militant as you are.
We don't need any genetic modification to develop into militant pilots. We're already there. Even the pilots that came well before my time, some of whom even refused to use the term "union" were probably such insane megalomaniacs that the company didn't elect to screw with them. You may conclude that it was only because of the company's benevolence these guys were kept happy, but I don't think any company wastes money to placate people they don't respect. Based on what I know of my predecessors you can't rightly conclude it was because any of these guys lacked for a militant attitude. And you can't conclude, based on how we fared in CH11, or through the SLI, that our side lacked for imagination, or gumption, or militantism.
We certainly welcome new blood if it comes with new ideas. But we haven't been waiting for you to take a critical look at this MEC. When the time comes where they fall so far in love with their own ideas, that they need to be canned, you can count on me. In the meantime, thanks for not accidentally insulting my integrity, and the integrity of any of your "South" colleagues. I'm sure you mean well, and you want this group to be succesfull. I'm sure you sincerely think you will help make it better, stronger. That's great. I hope you will too.
In the meantime, there are lots and lots of legitimate ways of expressing cultural differences between the two groups. Once you've spent a little time in the cockpit with some of us, it'll be interesting to discuss them. Since I think you're going to live in a fenced world for several years, we'll have to wait. As we do so, maybe we can forgego this distraction about who is "more militant", since we're not just allies, but actually family now?
Maybe you can stop talking about who has the genetic make-up for battle, and focus instead about how to accomplish this?
Sink,
IN no way was my post meant to be a slam to the south guys. Just trying to relay that the north guys come from a different culture(not intended to say that it was better than yours) that was somewhat more hostile than things here now and if needed we will draw a line in the sand when called upon. If you choose to deny the differencies between the two groups then you loose because both side have strenths and weaknesses. We must draw on the strengths of both sides to be successful in the future. Pointing out a diffenerce between the groups is not meant to be insulting to the other side. I view that kind of thinking as small. If you don't want to hear it, don't bother to read my posts but, I guess you kow all things about us and don't need any input or ideas on what we might think, know, or can contribute to the cause at hand. You will find most of the insulting words in your post as you choose to interpet my words into your words of kittens and girlscouts etc. That was not my intent at all. My discussion was directed at satchip in that he was worried that senior guys would not tow the line for scope. I wanted him to know that I felt like the north senior guys would. I have no feeling for what the senior south guys feel but he seems to have some worries.
Yes I can't wait until we can fly together so that we can finally share thoughts and ideas on a personal level. I think that we will find that we aren't really that much different personally but culturally we are.
I will tone down the more militant verbage. My point was that we come from a much more militant culture than you, not that you are not militant. And yes we are all one family now like it or not.
Glad to hear that you are ready for battle if needed.
