Dudes (and Dudettes),

I know someone is going to say "gee--you are going soft" or "being politically too correct", but here goes...

The tone on the boards has gotten harsher and nastier lately. For all its pros and cons, I personally think APC is just about the best "unoffical" forum to share ideas, information, humor, and some not-so-humorous stuff among our pilot group. The ALPA/MEC boards are about dead, and (grrrrr!) they apparently get periodically scrubbed clean. Another great board nearby charges a fee (thereby chasing away a lot of cheap airline pilots--but I digress) and FI is full of half-wits and flame-baiters. So this fine site is what we got...and its been (generally) an outstanding tool.

I'm 6' 2", haven't weighed less than 200 pounds in years, and regularly get stepped on by a horse or two. Despite my bulk, I have found that little words we print can sting--a lot more than being stepped on by a horse. They can inflame, incite, and inspire. However, sometimes they can also slander some folks who are trying to do a good job. Everyone talks trash in the cyber world, but we aren't really that anonymous here. We are FedEx pilots. We don't always agree (see: 1000 posts by Albie!) on all the issues, but as someone else pointed out, it doesn't mean we have to be disagreeable. I have made it clear that I think some of our union leaders have lost touch with some of their consitutuents. I have shared some info about a disagreement with a flight manager a couple years back over some issues. I have disagreed with many posters on various issues here and there. None of that means the comments or conflicting opinions have to be personal attacks.

What are some words that sting? Liar is one. I've seen it used to describe a few ACPs at times. It is sometimes hard to see all sides of an issue without all the facts. Let me be clear--I'm not trying to give management free ride here, but would you walk into the AOC and call someone a liar to their face? What about SCAB? There's another emotion filled word we (board users) sometimes throw around incorrectly. The thread on "O" sticks out, but there have been other allegations made that make me sort of wince too.

Now--I'm not trying to lecture or call anyone out. I am just pointing out that even though we all say "who cares what someone says", judging by calls, emails, and other chatter I see--the answer is "we seem to...." Disagreeing on LOAs, the role of management in any particular program, or who should (or shouldn't be) representing us in our union are all issues we can banter about. In the meantime, the info here on expense reports, trip info, interesting and cool company rumors and gossip...is good stuff.

Disagreement does not have to be so nasty. I am/was against age 60 changes, and I've debated some pros/cons with JJ and others on the issue. However, like 95% of you--when he had his heart arrhythmia/fainting spell and subsequent heart bypass surgery, I was 100% wishing him the best in his recovery. If we are going to have over 60 MD11 captains coming back then I hope he sails through the medical wickets and coasts through training. How "fair" that really is in life we can debate--but we'll stick to the issue and not make it personal. I don't always agree with RedEye or FDX727 or 42Go, but dispite my wit and the fact I'm almost always in the right sometimes those guys don't agree with me either. And yet--(like most of us)--we still share a lot more in common that apart and enjoy the exchange of ideas here.

We've got a LOT of talent and info here. We've got guys on the board with experience in every jet and seat we have, training, management experience, union leaders...all bouncing info and ideas around. There are times some info won't be appropriate to share, but many times we all benefit from the exchange. Poisoning this resource with a lot of bad blood by spewing out stuff you'd never say face to face will erode the value of this place in a hurry. Some have all ready sulked off, and only come back to poke their previous antagonist or lob a grenade into the coversations. I don't want to lose this resource.

Now...I've tried to stay civil most of my time here. If one of your research gurus can dig up a post and point out "see---Albie was a @sshole in THIS post!" I'll just say you are probably right and for that I am throwing out a pre-emptive apology. However, I would also point out that I (in a calm voice) did tell Bob Chimenti to his face at a meeting maybe he ought to step down if he was worn out as a NC, and I did have criticized the ACTIONS of some folks along the way. But I think (again--95% of the time) I have limited that to concerns about actions and reactions and not personal attacks.

Again--perhaps something to ask yourself--"would I SAY this to someone's face in the AOC?" If the answer is no--then maybe a 10 minute break for coffee or a slight edit before you hit "send" would do everyone some good.

 

Well put Albie. It needed saying.

 

So you are a fat slob that smells like a horses arse. Sanctimonious too. Mgmt lies. Paid union officers are lazy. I will not say this to your faces in the AOC, but stand next to "you all" and fart. Then walk away

 

I could lose some weight, and if I am not in Memphis or on the road working odds are I do smell like a sweaty horse. And I do get on a soapbox here and there...so far you haven't hurt my feelings. However, was that you that peeled the paint at the first set of trip folders last week?

 

Gee--you are going soft and being too politically correct.

(that's the touchy-feely, nice version after my 10-minute coffee break before hitting "send")

 

I fart in your general direction! (Spoken in my best French accent.)

 

thanks for the reality check Albie.

 

Hat tip to Albie!

 

Civil is a good thing. The problem is that carbonated malt beverages and computers sometimes come together. In my case that is certainly true, but I try to keep it in check.

Basically, union issues are bantered around in these parts. These are probably the most volatile subjects that can be talked about on a website. Did you ever see that movie about Jimmy Hoffa? Well, union issues bring out the worst in people.

Also, most people are either sitting in their house in front of their desktop, or they are sitting in a hotel room in front of their laptop. These settings make you feel really secure; It is almost as if you are driving a car with very-dark tinted windows. If someone cuts you off when you are driving a car with these, you can give the other driver the middle finger without worrying about getting shot, since he/she cannot see you. The problem with the internet is...they CAN see you, and they CAN potentially fire back, so it is a bit of a trick situation. It causes you to act in ways that you normally wouldn't.

The long and short is that you reap what you sow; it isn't hard to find out who each person on this forum actually is, and we all wind up in a cockpit with each other eventually. We have to work together in a closely choreographed situation in a very tight work space, something that isn't easy for any human being to do, especially competitive males, so it behooves all of us to try to behave while here.

Remember....we really CAN see you!

N!

 

"The tone on the boards has gotten harsher and nastier lately."

Ahhh....I don't usually go to the Fedex forum because I have no idea what you guys are talking about half the time. I lobbied for Albe to moderate cause I have great respect for him, but I guess it wasn't to be.

That said, there is NO reason for TOS violations at APC. The Fedex forum operates under the same rules as the rest of the place.

If anyone has a problem with a post, PLEASE use the report post feature. The mods will see that and take the appropriate action. There is no room for profanity or name calling.

I'll try to pay more attention.