Inasmuch as I'm sick of all this N/S stuff, an inasmuch as there is normally a bit of a negative "theme" to Carl's musings, I don't see anything in this latest discussion about flaps to suggest he's out of line, or sarcastic.

The more I fly with NW guys, the better I understand the rationale behind their actions, and their philosophy. From a big picture standpoint, I don't want us to go where they were. A lot of their actions seem to me to be driven by fear, and an intentionally paranoid environment (created by a hostile company culture).

But if you scrub out the negatives of their operational philosophy, I think they have a lot of good points to make WRT the details of our procedures. Some things definitely can be clarified.

I don't see anything wrong with the Captain calling for flap extension, but I would suggest they don't specify what to set. Since I'm starting engines (smarter IMO), I don't always see the salute. If the Captain were to say "set flaps, ready for taxi", or something like it, it would be fine with me. I don't want him to specify a setting, since it's not all Flaps 5, these days. But if he calls for it, I reference the T/O page, I set it, and he glances over... why not?

One good point made earlier, and that Carl doesn't seem to fully appreciate, is that these things are getting solved everyday by intelligent discussions in cross-pollinated fleets. There is nothing better. for reaching mutual understanding, than sitting in the same cockpit.

I've been flying with NW guys, and there really isn't much to it. We just get the stuff done, and talk about what we both agree would make it better. Real life "North-South" stuff is only about 5% as dramatic and heated as this virtual debate. And me move metal while doing it.

Either way, while I often disagree with Carl, and while I think he would be better served flying with South guys than arguing with us here, I don't think he said anything that was out-of-line in the flap discussion.