Steeler, Citrus, and other AirTran guys...
Not being a "media darling" has its advantages. You quietly make money, do your job well, and win fans (me included) in the process. I wouldn't complain about that--I'd smile, keep recruiting good guys and gals, and do your job. Enjoy your new jets, your seniority, and your paychecks. You might, however, try to do something about that Elton picture...
As for the whole valuejet thing--my take is give it a rest. Delta lost a jet when the one crew didn't set the flaps for takeoff, and another when the crew pushed the weather at DFW. AA flew a jet into a hill gooning up the FMS programming, and ran off the runway at Little Rock with a botched approach. Someone mentioned the SWA incident at Burbank. Pilots, mechanics, loaders, and even executives make mistakes. I don't think there was a pattern of criminal intent in any of those accidents. Poor judgement? Perhaps. But the real professionals out there--at FDX, Jetblue, Delta, or any other company--are the ones trying to A) learn from other's mistakes and B) proactively trying to prevent such incidents/accidents from happening again.
Its very easy to make a
Sm@rtass comment when you are anonymous on a message board, but I think you lose all credibility and any perception of class you might have when you stoop to that level. Many of us donated to Mark's fund after we found out about his midair. How many of you casting spears at other airline pilots on the board for safety issues are involved in some way in safety? I am a current CFII, contribute to the AOPA safety foundation, and teach human factors periodically in my ANG job. IF safety is a concern to you (and it should be), there are about a 1000 avenues for you to get more involved. Contact your union, company, or local FSDO for information on how you can make our profession safer and more effective. Otherwise, as a great poster I've seen says, why don't you have a nice warm cup of shut the (*& up.