"Squawk 7700"
12-14-2014 | 09:20 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Hey, what's wrong with salsa turned up high on number two, atc down low on number one, calling it visual in a hurricane over mountainous terrain, saying a passenger headcount in Spanish to a non speaker, dialing in a "secret" frequency and whistling to talk bs to your buddies while missing atc calls, pushing a pencil into the parking brake to get an out time while the chief pilot looks out the window with his arms crossed smiling as you start to board the aircraft but there is a pile of gate checked bags on the ramp because the rampers are busy telling jokes that aren't funny in the air conditioned bus
12-15-2014 | 03:05 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Assistant Greens Keeper
Wow what a complete circle jerk. It's a horribly written book about a guy who "makes it" to the airlines but doesn't even finish IOE. Don't waste your money.
12-15-2014 | 03:15 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 9
I believe the author went on to a successful career in computer software engineering, and flies for fun.
I applaud him for having the guts to walk away from something he clearly saw as morally and fundamentally WRONG. I bet 99% of us wouldn't have the balls to do that, myself included. And if we had more folks like him, maybe the regional airline industry wouldn't have such crappy working conditions today.
I think it's a dang good book that shines the spotlight on the very thing we make excuses for, and that makes us uncomfortable. Truth hurts, as evidenced by those who say "he couldn't handle it."
Finally, I would MUCH rather have someone who walks away from the industry write a book like his that details the how and why he walked away, rather than someone who just walks away quietly into the sunset without so much as a peep.
I applaud him for having the guts to walk away from something he clearly saw as morally and fundamentally WRONG. I bet 99% of us wouldn't have the balls to do that, myself included. And if we had more folks like him, maybe the regional airline industry wouldn't have such crappy working conditions today.
I think it's a dang good book that shines the spotlight on the very thing we make excuses for, and that makes us uncomfortable. Truth hurts, as evidenced by those who say "he couldn't handle it."
Finally, I would MUCH rather have someone who walks away from the industry write a book like his that details the how and why he walked away, rather than someone who just walks away quietly into the sunset without so much as a peep.
12-15-2014 | 05:32 AM
#18
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,127
Likes: 796
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
MOD INPUT: Lets tread carefully with perceptions of racism. Discussing aspects of different cultures (even the bad aspects) is not forbidden here but please be somewhat sensitive as to how you go about it.
The Power Distance framework is a reasonable science-based context for this sort of conversation, particularly as it applies to aviation.
The Power Distance framework is a reasonable science-based context for this sort of conversation, particularly as it applies to aviation.
12-15-2014 | 05:36 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,601
Likes: 0
From: CRJ FO
Hey, what's wrong with salsa turned up high on number two, atc down low on number one, calling it visual in a hurricane over mountainous terrain, saying a passenger headcount in Spanish to a non speaker, dialing in a "secret" frequency and whistling to talk bs to your buddies while missing atc calls, pushing a pencil into the parking brake to get an out time while the chief pilot looks out the window with his arms crossed smiling as you start to board the aircraft but there is a pile of gate checked bags on the ramp because the rampers are busy telling jokes that aren't funny in the air conditioned bus, and most of all bad grammar with run on sentences that make no sense? Este mira este mira!
12-15-2014 | 06:27 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: DHC8
The Amazon reviews weren't too kind to him.
Looks like someone who tried hard to get into this industry, even breaking some rules along the way, but quit once he got to the little leagues.
This is a 30+ year career, and you have to earn your stripes, literally!
For perspective: Doctors come out of 8 years of College/MedicalSchool to spend 5 years in Internship/Residence making $45-60/year working 80 hour weeks before anyone will take them seriously and they earn the next step in pay. (their student loans are much worse than yours!)
Looks like someone who tried hard to get into this industry, even breaking some rules along the way, but quit once he got to the little leagues.
This is a 30+ year career, and you have to earn your stripes, literally!
For perspective: Doctors come out of 8 years of College/MedicalSchool to spend 5 years in Internship/Residence making $45-60/year working 80 hour weeks before anyone will take them seriously and they earn the next step in pay. (their student loans are much worse than yours!)
