Originally Posted by DC8DRIVER

Well, let's start off with "I'm sorry I called you a 2%er."

In the 150 + pages in the APC Atlas hiring thread and the 10+ pages here, your first couple of posts come out and I just hadn't heard such strong and negative language. Your tone seemed to me to be much more "forceful" and laced with stars (the ***** stuff) that I felt that you were negatively biased towards the Atlas pilots, the Atlas/Polar merger, the contract, and posters on these boards who seem to want to help out aspiring new hires, that I ASSUMED that you were not such a great guy.

My Bad. Clearly you're a smart guy and a great pilot to fly with.

I have never seen on any of these APC Atlas threads ANY animosity between the Polar and the Atlas guys. In fact, from outside appearances only, this merger is so far away from the poison of the AW/USA merger, the AT/SWA, or even the NW/DAL relationships that it has been a pleasant surprise. I'm sure there are differences, but whatever negative points there may be with an Atlas/Polar merger, there are significant gains on both sides and a much brighter outlook than almost every other airline out there - especially from the point of view of a pilot who is so near TOD of his flying career.

You are also very correct that I am not that special. I am not a 1224 basher because I have absolutely no history with them. I can't post on the 1224 website. I am not even an Atlas pilot. In fact, until today, I was just a lowly poolie at Atlas. However, today I got a call with an invitation to a 747-400 class at Atlas on May, 30 and I couldn't be more psyched about it.

After being furloughed from a 15 year career at Astar Air Cargo, I can assure you that I have seen more catastrophic, stupid, antagonistic, caustic, and spiteful decisions by airline management than I want to remember. These managerial actions came at such a time and in such a manner that at least three of my colleagues actually committed suicide over their despair. You are obviously mad about some things and really worried about others, but your overlord's treatment of your pilot group has yet to cause any of your buddies to stick a gun in their mouth.

The grass on the other side of the fence can always be blacker, so I think I can see well beyond your nightmares.

But, I have chosen to not carry the poison of that history in my blood. I have my health, a beautiful family, and now, a job that, to me looks pretty freakin' good. So I'm not a 2%er, either. I like flying. If I see union crap I don't like, I try to work with the system to fix it - if not this time, maybe next. And I like the potential I see with my new job.

So, I'll see you in the cockpit someday and since you'll be senior to me, I'll let you buy me a foreign beer somewhere over there and we can solve these issues once and for all.

8