Another Airtran/SWA cockpit thread

[jball2]

I know this has already been discussed but because of the experience I had yesterday, I felt it needed to be readdressed. Long story short, I was nonreving on Airtran and as always, I let the cockpit crew know I was there. The captain was a great guy and gave me a warm welcome. The FO, was completely immature and decided to take the low road. He refused to shake my hand and turned around in a huff only to start bitching about the SLI proposal loud enough that I, as well as the paying customers, could hear it in the PAX cabin.

I understand he feels pretty insulted by the AIP but he has to know that I had nothing to do with it. I am not even sure I am going to vote for it. I know he is frustrated with the process but to be unprofessional toward a fellow pilot and act like a baby is poor form. He can direct his anger upward at those who made this happen but he has to realize regular line swine like me are along for the ride just like him, only armed with a vote if it even comes to it.

I feel certain we have some on our side that need to be policed as well. Trust me, I will be glad to help with that any way I can. However, for those of us that commute, please keep is professional, I just want to get to work like I always have.

Sincerely,
jball2
An ATL commuter

 

[Ty Webb]

Sorry to hear it. Not shaking hands is childish, and talking about this stuff in front of pax or other employees is in bad form. We all have
our buffoons.

 

[atldc9]

If you PM me the flight number and date, I'll pass it along to our Prof Standards folks. That is juvenile to say the least. BTW, I'm non-reving on a SWA flight right now!

Sorry for the immaturity...

 

[jball2]

True dat!

 

[Fubijaakr]

The core problem is that if the AIP passes, you're going to have that kind of bitterness infecting your flight decks for DECADES. Is that what you really want?

 

[freightdogfred]

Embarrassing to say the least. But it's not his fault, it's his parent's fault. It's the way he was raised. I'm surprised his captain did not straighten him out.

 

[fletch717]

I'm sorry that happened, two days ago I was in the food court in MDW two feet in front of a SWA pilot. I said "hi, how's it going". He look at me,glanced down at my badge and turned and walked away. I was in uniform. I have come to the conclusion that Pilots are more jealous than a sixteen year old cheerleader. I fear will never be a SWA pilot, I'll always be an AT guy and an outsider to a lot of people over there.

 

[slaquer5]

As a sidebar

Jball is about polite a person as you can meet.

 

[jball2]

Thanks Slaquer! I look forward to flying with you again!


I am sorry for our jack$$ in the MDW food court. As I said before, we have some policing to do on our side as well.

 

[Muppets]

If you PM me the flight number and date, I'll pass it along to our Prof Standards folks. That is juvenile to say the least. BTW, I'm non-reving on a SWA flight right now!

Sorry for the immaturity...

I dont think pro standards deals with shaking of another pilots hand.

 

[madjack]

If I was a stapled AAI FO I would be pissed, but I am a 11 year SWA FO with junior DOH AAI CPs standing to make 60-70K more than I will for many years to come...welcome to the airline business...

 

[Fins Up]

Embarrassing to say the least. But it's not his fault, it's his parent's fault. It's the way he was raised. I'm surprised his captain did not straighten him out.

Let's hope the captain did straighten him out behind closed door.

 

[jball2]

Dc9- I appreciate the offer but I don't want t take it any further. Just a request that we don't go "flightinfo" on people on the airplane.

Muppets, he was belligerent and unprofessional, more to it than me getting left hanging on a handshake.

Emotions are high on both sides but it really speaks volumes of one's character to keep it in check and be professional.

 

[Kharma Police]

I'm sorry that happened, two days ago I was in the food court in MDW two feet in front of a SWA pilot. I said "hi, how's it going". He look at me,glanced down at my badge and turned and walked away. I was in uniform. I have come to the conclusion that Pilots are more jealous than a sixteen year old cheerleader. I fear will never be a SWA pilot, I'll always be an AT guy and an outsider to a lot of people over there.

Unfortunately, events like what you and Jball described will not be an isolated case. I too have received the dirty looks and cold shoulder treatment but it doesn't stop me from smiling and waving. I remember and take comfort from a farewell speech from President Richard Nixon, who for a time, was probably the most hated person in America.

"Always give your best, never get discouraged, never be petty; always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself."

 

[Lear70]

My commute to/from MCO has become decidedly less "friendly" in the last few months. Pilots no longer say hello when you walk up and say Hi, they just nod and go back to what they were doing or strike up a conversation with another SWA employee a few feet from you. A long way from the "welcome aboard" conversations I had in the first 6-8 months from the announcement.

It's just the way it is. I imagine it will get better once we get past this, but tensions are high and all our people need to make sure they are professional and courteous and, like you said, not take it out on each other.

Thanks for the heads-up, maybe we can do a better job policing our own... Have fun out there, :beer:

 

[jball2]

Kharma- you are correct in all that you have said. Nixon was very wise with that quote. We get freedom through forgiveness. We get enslaved by anger.

 

[hairball1173]

IAD overnight on last 4 day (1st day) and EMO walk thru security had complete SWA crew behind us. All were extremely nice. The capt was a junior capt, MDW base I think, and wanted to know not just my feelings but my Capt as well. Extremely polite and profesional. We walked and talked all the way even to our gate in the opposite direction of theirs. I was very impressed with both and issues from their prospective as well.

 

[Kharma Police]

Kharma- you are correct in all that you have said. Nixon was very wise with that quote. We get freedom through forgiveness. We get enslaved by anger.

My sincere apologies for the embarrassing treatment you received. It has been a source of pride that my fellow AirTran pilots have been acknowledged for our kind treatment of off-line jumpseaters. Hopefully in the future, your commute will only entail I-285 traffic jams.

 

[Red Baron]

I'm sorry that happened, two days ago I was in the food court in MDW two feet in front of a SWA pilot. I said "hi, how's it going". He look at me,glanced down at my badge and turned and walked away. I was in uniform. I have come to the conclusion that Pilots are more jealous than a sixteen year old cheerleader. I fear will never be a SWA pilot, I'll always be an AT guy and an outsider to a lot of people over there.

That is sad. It really is. You are right about pilots and jealousy. Fear not about being considered an "outsider" over here. I believe when all is said and done, we will be a unified group. There may be some who don't let go on both sides, but they will be in the minority. I like the saying...Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% of how you react.

I look forward to getting this SL9 resolved and moving forward.

RB

 

[jball2]

Kharma, with very little exception, your crews have been AWESOME! Yesterday just really opened my eyes to what can happen if this gets too ugly. I hope you are correct about my commute. Right now it's a little stressful. I drove by your employee lot not long ago and I got a little giddy! One day, one day!
Cheers brother!