Only a couple capts I’ve flown with have been abrasive, but not ‘pro standards call’ worthy… otherwise, I’d say most are rockstars. Some less capable, some less personal, but an overwhelming majority are really solid humans and pilots. I appreciate the occasional grumpy captain that doesn’t want to converse; save me having to tell my story again…

I think too many FOs get emotional with the job… your cohort is being an ass, don’t take it personally…

Now watch, my next Left-seat’r is going to be a real peach.

 

definitely .....

 

Just a side question from the outside, but I constantly read on here about the AF subculture from what I assume is the PHX base. Is it really that bad? My outfit has a good mix of civis and mil guys and girls, but the "kernel" attitude doesn't seem to follow the mil guys into the airliner cockpit.

 

It varies. Best guy I ever flew with was a Harrier pilot. Worst guy I ever flew with was a Navy S-3 pilot. At another airline, best guy was a civilian and worst guy was a civilian.

 

The kernel jokes have zero to do with their flying abilities.


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I think in the last few years those primarily responsible for the Kernel Toolbox have left the property. It’s gotten better from my experience.

As stated above it isn’t the flying skills.

 

This is just one long-time squadron-dweller's opinion (sorry, there I go again!), but it really isn't that bad...or at least as bad as it once was. I love to make good-natured digs about the PHX domicile demographics as much or more than the next SWA pilot, but it is well on it's way to being a dated stereotype. Back in the 90's, however, The Luke Mafia was no joke and it's members accounted for an out-sized % of the domicile. They produced a few real winners that gave the whole base a bad rep that unfortunately persists among many to this day. I think the company's hiring methods have gotten better over the years at filtering out the 'was a good $hit back at the Unit' types who used to be able to come aboard largely based on the stack of LORs from their fellow Luke alums. Just like at every airline, every SWA domicile has their % of problem children....the PHX % continues to shrink, IMO.

 

This is truth. I’ve flown with more than a few I’d rather maybe not work with again. But almost without exception they knew their job and did it very well.

We all need to be pros and do what they pay us to do. Find common ground. Be nice. It’ll come.

Start and finish your trips with a handshake and a smile, not dumb paperwork. We all have different paths to our workplace. Don’t worry about it. Just do your work, have fun, learn from each other, stay off the news, avoid paperwork and stay out of the Chief Pilot’s office. It ain’t hard.

 

Thanks, Dad

 

Yup. I don't need to make friends when I come to work. If we hit it off and become BFFs, great. If not, no skin off of my back, I'm sure they're a great person. I already have enough friends that I don't have time for, and I'm sure they're the same way.