calcapt

I have been on this forum for about six months and I have learned a lot. Almost without exeption as I read thread after thread, I observe a group of dedicated individuals just trying in some fashion to make their dreams become reality. I attended a training program earlier this year that involved pilots from almost everywhere. ATA, FedEx, SWA, Alaska, NW, Comair, Horizon..........you get the picture. At no time during this week long training did anyone formally make known who they flew for. Over breakfast, lunch and dinner we had some of the best conversations imaginable with no need to slam or negatively comment on where each other came from or whose uniform we wore while at work. Of course during discussions we might casually mention where we worked but it just wasn't that important. During training we wore the same thing and were essentially out to complete similar objectives. I left there having made some awesome friendships. I even gave a United FO a black eye completely by accident (no really), and months later we still laugh about it and keep in touch.

I have seen some pretty ugly things on this forum the last few months and would like to offer a challenge. We all have opinions about where we have been, where we are and where we want to go. The current industry ills have taken a toll on many of us. We also have strong opinions about what is right and wrong - opinions I might add that are not shared by all. What we do have though is a universal love of flying airplanes. If we can pursue our love and make a living at it, so much the better. Some of us have it better and some are getting hosed. Some are trying to get in and others are trying to get out. I suspect if you were to get most folks here that contribute on a regulas basis in an informal setting with beer, soda and some chips and salsa, we would be much more alike than different. I would like to challenge everyone to step up a bit and re-think what we want to represent on this forum. I for one will commit today to be more positive in my posts and help others when and where I can. I have a lot of respect for what it takes to get into this business and I feel an obligation to make it better where I can. I am a little ashamed at some of my more sarcastic and demeaning posts of the past and would like to formally apologize here for anything I may have posted that offended another individual, even you SkyHigh. I will strive to represent this profession in a better way and look forward to sharing good ideas and info in the future. Fly safe!

TonyC

I'm glad to hear of your positive experience, and applaud your attitude. I'm especially grateful to know that you learned from the time in Artesia. I'd hate to think there was an angry guy with a badge flying around.



Best wishes - - we could all follow suit.









- The truth only hurts if it should -

atpwannabe

I totally agree with calcapt. I have learned so much in the past six months or so about the airline industry from a pilot's perspective that it pales anything I could have ever learned about the industry at ERAU.

All of you guys, (ladies included), are professionals and are very knowledgeable about flying. I, for one, am totally grateful for all of the advice, encouragement and motivation that I have received since posting comments on this forum.

And yes, I look forward to maybe one day being an SO, FO, or Captain to any one of you out there.

All the best,

atp

chase

CalCapt,

I applaud your sentiments....forums are a great way to motivate, inform, inspire and educate persons. As in everything in life, "things" can have a dark side....forums can insult, denigrate, deride and insult others also. The choice is in the hands of the author. The path one choose says more about the poster than the person or persons, company or entity they choose to attack. Taking the high road in responding or posting takes more strength of character than a backlash....kind of like talking on the radio to an controller who is having a bad day (the same can be said from their chair when they talk to our one of us who aren't at our best either) & responding with the cool, calm professionalism of the seasoned airline pilot veteran (not me BTW.

Thanks for the reminder that many are following, listening and watching our moves & posts on this forum & others....our example will either be positive or negative. To the folks who are just starting out....good luck & use CalCapt as an example of what you should aspire to in terms of treating your fellow pilots on forums such as this (or in everyday life for that matter). To those working their way up....it is a small world of aviation so continue to connect & do your best to treat folks like you wish to be treated...to those who are in the profession but are unhappy or thinking about leaving due to the turmoil; choose a direction & go for it & simultaneously decide it is the right decision & have an attitude that matches that decision with no regret....if you wallow in it & prefer to grumble incessantly about it...well as they say, life is too short to put yourself through the misery.......for those who are lucky enough to be somewhere they like, be eternally grateful & humble about it....many of us were fortunate to choose wisely & be in the right place at the right time. I hope everyone has a great Easter & get off of here & return to your families (if you're not on the road somewhere !) cheers,

Skygirl

I'm happy to read CalCapt's message. I stumbled upon this site in the last week in my search for some clues about the possible DAL strike. As a travel agent, I had many clients who were booked on Delta, call me in a panic about their upcoming flights.

I'm certainly not a pilot, but I took some time to read a few of the boards here and detected quite a bit of negativity, as well as some rather snarky comments. When you think about it, we're all in this business of travel together, and we should be routing for each other instead of sniping at one another. Our well-being depends on the health of the industry as a whole. I certainly did not go into this business to become wealthy. I left the film industry for the travel industry but I still believe that it was the right decision.

I've always admired and respected pilots and the responsibilities that they shoulder. I was married to a surgeon for 20 years and can understand the stress, responsibility, and never being home with your family, etc.... but all of this negativity isn't healthy for anyone or their marriage/family life.

Hang in there guys and gals, believe it or not, there are people on the outside who are pulling for you all!

SkyHigh

I am positive !!! Why do people think that I am not positive? I positively think that pursuing an aviation career has its shortcomings.

The preceding message was a joke ...

Its all cool. I like you Calcapt and everyone else here. I am have an opposing view much of the time however feel a friendship to everyone here.

SkyHigh

preludespeeder

Well I agree that the we should all work towards a common goal of making the industry better for all of us. I just want to say I enjoy the diverse comments you can get on this forum. I like to hear from the pilots flying the line right now how they like and dislike the job they are in. If this forum went all positive then were would the learning be, it would be an add campaign for the flight safety type of schools out there. Some people on hear though need to stop the attacking of fellow pilots and reply with a constuctive response that furthers the knowledge of the younger generation whether it is postive or negative.

calcapt

My initial post was not to have us all hold hands and sing songs. It was just a commitment by myself, and a challenge to others, to cut back on the mean and unhelpful banter that is so destructive and helps no one. When someone disagrees or has an issue with a post, I would expect to see the other side expressed. I am just suggesting we do it with a little more respect and professionalism.

757Driver

Please tell me you voted no on Contract '02.

calcapt

Isn't contract '07 the issue?

Contract '02 is history regardless of how I voted. By the way, anyone who knows me knows how I voted and how hard I am willing to fight for Contract '07.