rv8builder

Interesting this topic should come up today in this thread.....

Literally today at my wife's work (accupuncture) she had a new customer come in who almost immediately let it be known that he was a DL pilot. When she was explaining some of the benefits of accupuncture to him, he said (and this is confirmed) "Nothing's wrong, I know everything, I'm a pilot for Delta."

Now this isn't a like game of telephone or something where things could be misinterpreted- I verified with her at least 5 times over the next few minutes that was exactly what this guy said, word for word. I wish I was making this up.

Later, in a futile attempt at basic human interaction, my wife mentioned to this fine gentleman that I was a pilot for Atlas (started this morning! Happy to be here) and his response was "Oh, I'm sorry."

Again, I wish I was making this up.

I hereby nominate this guy for the "Tool of the Day" award.

Also to be clear I have nothing against DL pilots at all, as a number of friends and guys I volunteer with are DL pilots, who are all A+, standup great guys. It's a shame that guys like this can give a black eye to an airline and an entire profession.

PotatoChip

Hahahaha, I have plenty against Delta pilots! And this just adds fuel to the incinerator! There is a very good reason there are a plethora of stories like this one involving Delta pilots (although I have a couple gems involving United pilots as well).

I'm sorry to everyone in this thread that works at Atlas. One day gents, one day...

NightIP

One day I *too* can spend 10 years in the right seat of a Mad Dog doing hub turns. Gosh, if I could just make it through the SYD layovers until I really make it...

Nah, nothing against anyone who works at Delta...I've flown with a few retired guys, and they were all top notch. I just really don't want to spend years commuting to JFK on a domestic schedule. All I want out of this career is the pay and QOL to do the things on my off days that I enjoy. If Atlas is the place that provides that, great! I really don't care what's painted on the side of the jet.

ATCsaidDoWhat

Years back, there was a restaurant...OK, diner...called Jim's Corner. Run by a great Greek guy named Bill and his wife. (The original owner was a Greek named Jim and his daughter married the guy named Bill)

Anyway...there was a sign outside. "Home of the 912th Squardon." Made up of airline pilots, Navy folks and a few select locals, they met for breakfast every morning at 9:12 with the express intent to drive out all the paying customers using whatever civil means possible. A Rolodex was kept behind the counter with names and phone numbers of everyone over the years. "Membership" was open to all, provided you were a good guy. Scabs knew better...

On more than one occasion, a person wandered in and asked if this was where the 912 squadron met and what was it all about, because he wanted to join it. Bill, the owner...always the gentleman, would inquire what airline the lad worked for and when he was told "Delta," Bill would smile and say, "you know, that sign is awfully old and I guess I should do something about it. Those guys haven't been around for years. What can I fix you?" At which time the person would make up a lame assed excuse and leave.

And we would all then cheer, make a couple of rude comments and go back to chasing out the paying customers.

As Jimmy Buffet says, "You had to be there."

Palmtree Pilot

Kind of figured that Atlas pilots were above this catty, FA like, name calling session, but shows what I know.


I think RV8Builder said it best,

NightIP

Who's doing what, now? Just having a little fun. Lighten up.

captainv

It goes both ways. In initial training, I was jumpseating home on a rare block of days off. The Delta crew was more than accommodating. The captain even offered to deadhead tag my bag and go down the the ramp to get it for me, since I wasn't in uniform. I'd never had such good service from a crew and repeatedly thanked them for it.

Now, if it had been a month prior and I was still working at Comair...

I'm the same guy I've always been. Only thing that changed was who I worked for. We all fall victim to perception.

MX442

Back on track...

What do I have to do to get a call from Atlas? Yesterday my phone showed a missed call from NY. I got really excited. Called it back, and it was a telemarketing firm.

ATCsaidDoWhat

You're right, it shows what you know...which isn't much.

They're about the most laid back guys and gals you'd ever want to meet and some of the most professional who work in environments most pilots would run away from.

So lighten up. You didn't hear Atlas pilots whining when Delta and others in ALPA considered them "real pilots" because they "only flew freight."

742Dash

Actually I believe that the term was "cancer on the industry".