Did you walk over and explain to the passenger that the main reason why he is on a regional flown by non-united crew is because pilots did not protect scope and sold it out? Or did you explain that he could fly on a mainline plane if he wanted to pay an extra $100 for the ticket? Everyone wants something for nothing.

Haha. I've seen waaaaaay more mainline pilots wearing/carrying backpacks in one month than I've seen regional guys using them in over 3 years. Same goes for ipods/headphones.

Amen brother, amen.

If it walks, talks, and looks like a PROFESSIONAL, it probably is :cool:

Haha this is actually true. I've noticed way more UAL pilots toting backpacks than anybody else. I guess its okay for them to do it though :rolleyes:

Disclaimer: I have never, nor do I ever intend to wear a backpack to work.

Speaks volumes about what? Someone paid for a ticket thinking they were going to be on a big United plane instead that have to bend over as they walk down the aisle to their seat. I wouldn't be happy either. I think you are grasping at straws here. The latest Delta customer service numbers show numerous DCI carriers outperforming their larger parent in overall performance and in all categories, including among other things, timely and accurate information from the flight crew. That to me tells the true story.

give 100% effort, show up on time, sign in do your 14 hour duty, sign out and go home. If others are still dissatisfied with your service, then that's there hang up. You can't blame yourself for that!

All it takes is a little effort

Why was this moved? It seem the "Regionals" section is most appropriate.

The punks think the old farts are old farts.

The old farts think the punks are punks.



YouTube - Sesame Street - That's about the size of it

+1..........

I think the word "professional" is so over used now-a-days that the word has really lost it's true meaning. Everyone thinks they are a professional. Everyone thinks they work in a "profession". Being professional is equated to a garb of clothes and a nice hair cut.

Recently I was asked in an interview what a professional was. I could have just given another canned answer, but I tried to explain my thoughts more along these lines...

In the most basic sense a professional is someone who works for money, is not an amateur. That can be anyone of any character. Prostitution is "the oldest profession" after all. I doubt that when most pilots think of being "professional" they equate themselves to prostitutes, however.

Many equate "professionalism" as somehow always being wrapped in appearence and/or the public perception of them. This seems to be a very common theme, or, at least a major part of most definitions. Although, unlike the prostitutes mentioned above, an attractive appearance in this case is taken as a moral virtue. Personally, to me, appearance is appearance and I don't see a spiffy pilot as being any more virtuous than a nice looking lady of the night.

To me a professional is someone who engages in a profession. A profession is a vocation in the branches of science or learning (as defined in the dictionary). A doctor is the usually one of the first professions that comes to mind, but you could include many other jobs in there that require life long expertise and learning. I would submit to you that a professional requires a college degree. Preferably an advanced degree. But beyond that other life long learning, obtaining of new skills, certifications, etc.

Professionals have their own governing bodies that govern their own affairs, requirements for entry, dismissal, ethics, standards, etc. Individuals in the profession are also expected to independently maintain high standards of conduct and learning. They are given greater latitude in this regard than workers outside of a true profession. There is a great societal trust to maintain.

AND professionals profess. In other words they teach. They mentor. They associate. They pass on knowledge.

I say if you want to be a true professional then you got to have the whole package. If you can't independently maintain high standards, then you're not a professional. If you are not committed to obtaining a degree, flying skills and working life long to improve, then you are not a professional. If you don't associate and profess (teach) to bring up the next generation, then you are not a professional.

I think that good pilots are all these things. We deserved to be lumped with doctors, professors, scientists, lawyers, military officers, the clergy, etc.

P.S.- Do any of the other professions wear back packs? Does it really matter in the big scheme of things? Would you not go to a doctor if he wore a back pack to work? I'd be more worried about where he went to med school, his experience and his reputation.