I do not care if they do a walk around, and unless they stop me on my way out the door, I get them done before they even show up.

Scoop just to clarify I am not talking about behavior in general but rather how some of our pilots I've personally watched interacted with ATC. It’s one thing if the pilot is an a-hole in and out of the cockpit, thankfully I can count on my finger how many of those I’ve truly dealt with and who cares about them. What I am most perplexed by are those who are great guys, completely professional, very smart and yet throw tantrums on the radio with ATC over petty stuff or don't get whats going on around them. From what I see inside the cockpit its not bad radio etiquette alone but rather a misunderstanding of what ATC is and what they’re trying to accomplish with the crappy hand they’ve been dealt.

I just wish some guys would try and put themselves in the shoes of a controller with an airspace and pavement deprived airport whose employer is approving more arrivals per hour then can logically be handled in VFR much less when a cautious carl does a big wide weather deviation and the whole flow comes apart.

On radio etiquette alone it’d be nice if everyone remembered that every time you operate a Delta plane or talk on the radio you represent all of us. ER guys are especially sensitive to this and when I flew the ER there were some guys, especially out of JFK, who really insisted that you check on and at least say hello in their native tongue. I tried, it worked well with Shannwick, okay with London, bonjured France but didn’t understand a word she said back and then after that I had no idea who I was talking to and I had to end everything with “confirm?” On the way back the CA nearly tackled me to get me off the radio when I called Scottish by the name London, evidently a sour point.

FWIW, I make you guys look like space cadets and I apologize for that but just like some people are a-holes all day some are space cadets all day but forgive them because trying to post pictures of their ex-stalker in a bikini on a blog has them distracted.

So at last count I have received 3 campaign emails for the upcoming council 44 captain rep. They all say they want to restore pay and repair scope. They pretty much all sound the same. Any suggestion on how to get more information about them? I want to vote for someone but if I don't know them personally how do I choose? Anyone?

The captains at Delta North refuse to do a walk around at all cost. They will gladly do both pilots' pre-flight work in the cockpit, but will not go outside if their life depended on it. My understanding is that it is kind of an unwritten rule at Delta South to go every other leg.

Got a NYC crashpad question, guys. I just got displaced to NYC on the -88. I commute from the West Coast. I'll probably be commuting most of the time into JFK. LGA is an option, but it's a two leg commute for me. When selecting a crashpad, would you pick something close to LGA or would you select something halfway between the two airports? I know the majority of the flying is out of LGA, but with us being overstaffed up there, I'm wondering if I'm going to be flying much. Just trying to solicit some info!

Another question... Does anybody know when us DAL-S guys will be able to reserve jumpseats on DAL-N aircraft and vice versa?

Well, if it is, I'm one of many that breaks that rule. I will do walk arounds on occasion, but its definitely not 50-50. RHIP.

First of all, you have my sympathy. As a fellow west coaster, I understand your pain. Will you be at least holding a line, i hope?

Most of the pads are in Kew garden. As most pointed out, flying is spread mostly between LGA/JFK, with some EWR popping up more than previous months. Most guys seem to like kew just fine, better food selection, better location generally. I think when you spend some "quality" time in the big apple, you'll be able to find what fits your budget and style.

I have not flown with a single guy in ten years that doesn't do the walk-arounds, barring no special circumstances. Having said that, I always insist that if it's raining, snowing or cold I do it. With all we've lost over this decade, including the whittling away of Captain's authority I feel there should be some recognition of a guy making it to the left seat. I prefer to go outside anyway.....:D I'm not an indoor cat.....

Yep, that's pretty much the status quo in LA. I haven't flown with a CA yet that hasn't offered to do it. Even in inclement wx. I think it speaks to the different cultures and the fact that it seems to me that the FOs are a little more empowered at DAL-S. As an older, saltier FO, I like the way it works here. Hopefully, some of our new northern brothers will like it too.