Originally Posted by 123494

Do any of you find yourself flying with fellow pilots (CA or FO) who are overly paranoid and think the company/world is out to get them?

Flew with a CA recently who was probably the best pilot I have ever flown with. Was very smooth and flew the plane by the book. Other than his flying and ADM, he was extremely paranoid about everything. Some examples were:

1. Afraid to speak to the FAs. Would only talk when a flight related issue came up. Otherwise, he was convinced they would take something he said the wrong way and report it.

2. Afraid of Pax. Was convinced they had video cameras out and ready to catch any mistake we made and put it on social media. Didn't like making PAs and avoided eye contact in gate area.

3. Afraid of Gate Agents. Was convinced they were writing notes trying to pin any delay on him. Had an extensive notebook to record every move they made and what Zulu time.

4. Afraid of dispatch. If he had to call them, he would never use his name, only the flight number and tail. Not sure why.

Again, he was a fine aviator and I picked up some good techniques from him. I could go on with examples of the paranoia. Just curious if others have had any similar trips. Are pilots just programed to think this way?

Originally Posted by Aquaticus

The best I have seen was the guy who wouldn't drink the canned soft drinks because they were tracked by the company with the color coded dots on the bottom of the can. Flip any can over and there will be a dot.

Originally Posted by Beechnut

Yeah, other than #4, I probably think along those lines. You are expressing your bias by using the word "afraid." I look at is at "wary." Stay in the cockpit. Don't fraternize with FAs. When the door is open, Gate Agents own the airplane.

Conversely, If the Gate Agent needs help, not my problem. If Inflight doesn't like a passenger, I'll call the Agent and they can have them removed. No conversation there at all. I won't override a FA's opinion of a passenger. If we divert because a passenger does become a problem, my boss will ask why I wasn't concerned when the FA brought up the problem back at the gate. If the FA had a bad day and was being unreasonable, then their department can address it. No where in my books does it say evaluate the decision making ability of the Flight Attendants and decide whether or not to go along with them.

I've seen first hand pilots who are predators. I've seen first hand the FA Facebook page that wanted to crucify a flight crew that were falsely accused by a fired FA. So... yeah. No thanks.

I have a really good job that I've spent most of my life working towards. Damn right I watch out for it.

It isn't high school. It isn't a popularity contest.

Originally Posted by 80emb145

Anything said to an FA other than company mandatory briefing can be misconstrued and taken the wrong way. You can find yourself answering many unwanted phone calls.

As evidenced by many videos, pax are purposely breaking “laws” to get themselves seen publicly and possibly sue the company.

Now I’m not nervous about it, but I just keep it professional. This job is too easy. I don’t want to lose it.

Originally Posted by 80emb145

Anything said to an FA other than company mandatory briefing can be misconstrued and taken the wrong way. You can find yourself answering many unwanted phone calls.

As evidenced by many videos, pax are purposely breaking “laws” to get themselves seen publicly and possibly sue the company.

Now I’m not nervous about it, but I just keep it professional. This job is too easy. I don’t want to lose it.

Originally Posted by TiredSoul

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...eces-tape.html

I’ve flown with an FO who wouldn’t even greet an FA as “they’re dangerous”.
Then we have the Union political hacks,
We also have the guy whose sole mission in life is to convince any new hires that the company is out to get them through Scheduling shenanigans.

Originally Posted by WHACKMASTER

Amen. Our work environment has eroded so much over the two plus decades I’ve been doing this gig. So has society. Sad as it is, one’s best to just go to work and keep a low profile. Not much good can come from interacting with the public or back end crew. I’m not saying to be rude but anymore I’m just there for the paycheck. Should’ve gone cargo dammit......

5/20th Club

Originally Posted by FlyyGuyy

At the new hire union dinner with AA the union advised us to stay away from the cabin crew. Say hello, introduce yourself, go to the cockpit.