I heard from a few buds going through new hire initials that we've had some classes who are clearly beyond our good-natured traditions of being a class elder and a class baby and walking around with the associated toys refuse to partake in this good-natured tradition. Self-deprecating humor is always meant to break the ice, and ability to partake in it shows a mature, confident individual. As if that's not enough, these fine folks refused to throw a party for the following class, and make a donation to charity with the big check hanging on the wall for every class before.

We also have a few other traditions here as well. One of those is always taking care of newhires and probationary pilots. Ever since getting off probation, if I saw a probationary pilot on the van who got split up from his captain, I always stepped up and made sure that probationary FO didn't pay for his or her meal or drinks even if perfect strangers. It was just something that we do here... another tradition of the sort. When I upgrade quite possibly next year sometime, I was really looking forward to treating new hires for drinks and meals and truly giving them a welcome that I and thousands of other pilots were given when we were new hires. Well, it seems like that era is coming to the end.

To say it is disappointing would be an understatement. We still turn down plenty of people. I sure hope our interview team stops letting people like this on the property and sends them off to Delta or American where being devoid of personality and fun is modus operandi.

 

Don’t let one bad class get you down. We have similar traditions at Ual. 8 ball ceremonies, half wing Alpa pins, alpa mentors etc. They’re important team building tools, and should be fostered. Not sure why you had the one off with your recent class, but I say keep up the traditions!

 

Agree with the above. There are always the few percent of us who take ourselves way too seriously. First, take care of one another. Then take care of the customers. Then don't forget to have fun. This is an awesome job unless you make it miserable.

 

Everyone knows that this company was built around quirky traditions. We also have all heard “this isn’t the company it used to be”. Some of that erosion was caused by corporate changes and some out of necessity. However, the erosion of the culture by the new hire groups attempting to control a narrative should be addressed. One should know what they are stepping into when they apply here. As stated above, there are plenty of opportunities to work at a company that takes themselves too seriously. I’m guessing that the “baby” in the class, that ran to HR, ordered a blazer and a hat. People are coming here in droves from that other …West company, don’t turn this place into that one!!!!

 

There was a class that was not participating as they were supposed to (both the baby and old wise owl). They were talked to by a few of the previous classes and complied for the rest of the time before passing it on. Some classes took it more seriously than others- but if you have no desire to be any part of quirkily old traditions, AA is hiring…

 

Best we can do individually is to continue to take care of our new hires, and crews in general.

I have pretty much become a 5/20 kind of guy, but any probies that I fly with or run into never have to take out their wallets for food/drinks during the trip. Heck, in an effort to thwart the tribalism being pushed by certain other groups, I even treat non probies, ground ops folks, and FAs on occasion.

 

I can more understand if its one or two people but bot a whole class. How does everyone decide to be lame?
now 8 balls at untitled sounds like my type of party.

 

Boob flashes still going on?

 

They were as of 2016...

 

I hadn't heard about the class donation or new hire party...but I did hear that the class elder and class baby stuff was found offensive by other work groups at the Ops Day. Same thing happened back in 2016 with my class. Pretty lame but I'm guessing that's why those traditions get shelved from time to time. Maybe when they start back up again, we just need to leave that stuff behind when spending the day with the more woke employees and save it for when we're back in our cave?