Quote:
Originally Posted by Talon1011
Well said, my friend. Years ago when I took off my green bag and put on a civilian uniform this was one of the most difficult adjustments to make. It soon became evident that the two worlds were vastly different. In civilian life the concept of leadership is almost non-existent. We are awash in managers but are almost completely bereft of leaders. The two terms are not synonymous.
Capt. Diablo finds himself at his third airline and looking over his right shoulder at the new engineer. Talk quickly turns to whether ALPA should be voted in. Captain. Diablo counts himself lucky, having left Eastern with few scars, and learning from Papa S (Cobra Airlines) that pilots stick together, Managements job is to reduce costs (especially pilots) and seeing the world from the left seat of a 3-Holer at 29.
His new engineer states that making the company more profitable will help him keep his job. And as a Colonel in the military, pilots had an obligation to lead the team in making sure the employees focused on the companies profitability, even at the expense of the short term. He felt a union would only get in the way of one team all pulling together.
Capt. Diablo chomped on his cigar (cargo perks) and asked the new FE what his first job was in his first squadron in the AF, he replied Snacko. An honorable and important function highly indicative of a pilots leadership ability, make sure his fellow warriors were fed & watered and if Snako Could...then maybe he could be trusted leading his wingman.
Capt. Diablo then asked his new FE what was expected of him when he went to the flight brief. The new FE replied, get there early and listen. To which Capt. Diablo replied. "Exactly like here, you're the Snacko and you need to sit and listen."
So ends the military to airline pilot transition course. Thank you Capt. Diablo!