Well? Nobody's called yet?
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: DOWNGRADE COMPLETE: Thanks Gary. Thanks SWAPA.
Posts: 6,611
My one pet peeve from the prior military Captains is when they presume to try and school me on the airline industry, and in-particular, how ‘industry leading’ we are, when they really have no basis for comparison. It would be nice if they would listen with an open mind to pilots who spent the last two decades bouncing around to various airlines and had real world experience with other airline CBAs. There’s a lot to learn about airline history, especially when it begins to repeat itself... but sometimes that means you might have to listen to your FO, and not presume that the left seat makes you an expert.
But now I’m stereotyping Captains...
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But now I’m stereotyping Captains...
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#22
Gets Weekend Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,611
Delta seems partial to the Navy guys; it doesn't get much more Semper Fi than FedEx; AA is also a big USAF post-retirement place.
What separates us from other airlines? Are we empowering the squadron good sh*ts a little too much at this airline? Are we hiring the "wrong" group of guys? What do you guys think is the answer?
What separates us from other airlines? Are we empowering the squadron good sh*ts a little too much at this airline? Are we hiring the "wrong" group of guys? What do you guys think is the answer?
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 252
Delta seems partial to the Navy guys; it doesn't get much more Semper Fi than FedEx; AA is also a big USAF post-retirement place.
What separates us from other airlines? Are we empowering the squadron good sh*ts a little too much at this airline? Are we hiring the "wrong" group of guys? What do you guys think is the answer?
What separates us from other airlines? Are we empowering the squadron good sh*ts a little too much at this airline? Are we hiring the "wrong" group of guys? What do you guys think is the answer?
#24
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Position: Middle
Posts: 43
Flew with a Captain this week who, coincidentally, I had also flown with at another major pre-9/11 and we got to talking about this one unique and surprising characteristic of SW pilots. We both thought before coming to SW that the pilot group was largely cowboys and laid back good old boys. Neither of us was prepared for the significant military presence and influence.
But what surprised us most was how many of the prior military folks had a tough time letting go and assimilating into 121, instead preferring to join this ‘subculture’ and behave as if the airline were simply an extension of the unit from which they came. In rare cases even choosing to continue using their callsign.
There’s isn’t anything wrong with it, and they certainly should be proud of their service - but it IS somewhat peculiar how big this particular demographic is at the airline and how successful they have been at influencing everything from policy to nomenclature. It was not something that either of us had seen at any of the other airlines we’ve worked at.
Unfortunately it has bred a little bit of a civil war - devolving into name calling and, in the case of one particular domicile, stereotyping.
Personally I enjoy their stories and experiences as long as they’re able to talk about other things too... and they don’t roll their eyes too much when I try to regale them with my heroic tales of flying the 19 seat Jetstream between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
My one pet peeve from the prior military Captains is when they presume to try and school me on the airline industry, and in-particular, how ‘industry leading’ we are, when they really have no basis for comparison. It would be nice if they would listen with an open mind to pilots who spent the last two decades bouncing around to various airlines and had real world experience with other airline CBAs. There’s a lot to learn about airline history, especially when it begins to repeat itself... but sometimes that means you might have to listen to your FO, and not presume that the left seat makes you an expert.
But now I’m stereotyping Captains...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
But what surprised us most was how many of the prior military folks had a tough time letting go and assimilating into 121, instead preferring to join this ‘subculture’ and behave as if the airline were simply an extension of the unit from which they came. In rare cases even choosing to continue using their callsign.
There’s isn’t anything wrong with it, and they certainly should be proud of their service - but it IS somewhat peculiar how big this particular demographic is at the airline and how successful they have been at influencing everything from policy to nomenclature. It was not something that either of us had seen at any of the other airlines we’ve worked at.
Unfortunately it has bred a little bit of a civil war - devolving into name calling and, in the case of one particular domicile, stereotyping.
Personally I enjoy their stories and experiences as long as they’re able to talk about other things too... and they don’t roll their eyes too much when I try to regale them with my heroic tales of flying the 19 seat Jetstream between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
My one pet peeve from the prior military Captains is when they presume to try and school me on the airline industry, and in-particular, how ‘industry leading’ we are, when they really have no basis for comparison. It would be nice if they would listen with an open mind to pilots who spent the last two decades bouncing around to various airlines and had real world experience with other airline CBAs. There’s a lot to learn about airline history, especially when it begins to repeat itself... but sometimes that means you might have to listen to your FO, and not presume that the left seat makes you an expert.
But now I’m stereotyping Captains...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 200
Flew with a Captain this week who, coincidentally, I had also flown with at another major pre-9/11 and we got to talking about this one unique and surprising characteristic of SW pilots. We both thought before coming to SW that the pilot group was largely cowboys and laid back good old boys. Neither of us was prepared for the significant military presence and influence.
But what surprised us most was how many of the prior military folks had a tough time letting go and assimilating into 121, instead preferring to join this ‘subculture’ and behave as if the airline were simply an extension of the unit from which they came. In rare cases even choosing to continue using their callsign.
There’s isn’t anything wrong with it, and they certainly should be proud of their service - but it IS somewhat peculiar how big this particular demographic is at the airline and how successful they have been at influencing everything from policy to nomenclature. It was not something that either of us had seen at any of the other airlines we’ve worked at.
Unfortunately it has bred a little bit of a civil war - devolving into name calling and, in the case of one particular domicile, stereotyping.
Personally I enjoy their stories and experiences as long as they’re able to talk about other things too... and they don’t roll their eyes too much when I try to regale them with my heroic tales of flying the 19 seat Jetstream between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
My one pet peeve from the prior military Captains is when they presume to try and school me on the airline industry, and in-particular, how ‘industry leading’ we are, when they really have no basis for comparison. It would be nice if they would listen with an open mind to pilots who spent the last two decades bouncing around to various airlines and had real world experience with other airline CBAs. There’s a lot to learn about airline history, especially when it begins to repeat itself... but sometimes that means you might have to listen to your FO, and not presume that the left seat makes you an expert.
But now I’m stereotyping Captains...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
But what surprised us most was how many of the prior military folks had a tough time letting go and assimilating into 121, instead preferring to join this ‘subculture’ and behave as if the airline were simply an extension of the unit from which they came. In rare cases even choosing to continue using their callsign.
There’s isn’t anything wrong with it, and they certainly should be proud of their service - but it IS somewhat peculiar how big this particular demographic is at the airline and how successful they have been at influencing everything from policy to nomenclature. It was not something that either of us had seen at any of the other airlines we’ve worked at.
Unfortunately it has bred a little bit of a civil war - devolving into name calling and, in the case of one particular domicile, stereotyping.
Personally I enjoy their stories and experiences as long as they’re able to talk about other things too... and they don’t roll their eyes too much when I try to regale them with my heroic tales of flying the 19 seat Jetstream between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
My one pet peeve from the prior military Captains is when they presume to try and school me on the airline industry, and in-particular, how ‘industry leading’ we are, when they really have no basis for comparison. It would be nice if they would listen with an open mind to pilots who spent the last two decades bouncing around to various airlines and had real world experience with other airline CBAs. There’s a lot to learn about airline history, especially when it begins to repeat itself... but sometimes that means you might have to listen to your FO, and not presume that the left seat makes you an expert.
But now I’m stereotyping Captains...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you for saying what needed to be said. It’s not just a SWA tbing, it’s airline wide.
#27
Zap,
Thanks for the post. I’m military and was LUS (I think that’s your former airline, right?) now AA. I haven’t seen this at AA or former US Airways. I don’t talk about military stuff at all unless asked, and that’s how most former military captains I’ve flown with are as well (even flew with a 2 star General and he didn’t offer up his rank until I asked). Anyway, your post will make me think about what I say, because I most certainly do want to blend in.
Not to mention, I got out of the Air Force for a reason, I don’t want my airline job to end up like an Air Force job.
Thanks!
Thanks for the post. I’m military and was LUS (I think that’s your former airline, right?) now AA. I haven’t seen this at AA or former US Airways. I don’t talk about military stuff at all unless asked, and that’s how most former military captains I’ve flown with are as well (even flew with a 2 star General and he didn’t offer up his rank until I asked). Anyway, your post will make me think about what I say, because I most certainly do want to blend in.
Not to mention, I got out of the Air Force for a reason, I don’t want my airline job to end up like an Air Force job.
Thanks!
#28
No offense intended whatsoever. I sincerely appreciate your service (and no LUS guy ever buys a drink if I’m at the bar!)
This is more about the culture of the various Airlines and how this particular one developed to become something that isn’t what you might expect.
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This is more about the culture of the various Airlines and how this particular one developed to become something that isn’t what you might expect.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2012
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 508
Meh. I used to share that sentiment. I think e6b trumped him on that supposed accolade a long time ago. Simply put, I don't see many military people whining about civilian pilots and their quirks on a routine basis on these SWA forums/FB Contract page. I'm not saying he's a bad dude at all by any means. I haven't met him, but I definitely agree that he seems like a great dude overall. He to me, just comes across as the typical civilian pilot that has a slight chip on their shoulder about pilots with a military background. (God forbid someone uses the word "jet" springs to mind; not that he started that one). But saying he's the most most level headed poster on APC? Nah.
Popularity contests aside. He does add a lot to the discussion and I'm sure he's helped countless new hires.
Just my observation. I'll retreat back to lurking status now.
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