When I started my current flight department I hired an airline guy. Furloughed United to be exact. He was very low on the senoirity and has not been recalled. We hired him knowing that he would most likey go back to United, but time will tell now.
I could not be more happy with this particular employee and his performance both in and outside of the cockpit. Because of his extensive training in SOP's and overall consistancy I never worry about "what he is doing." He is very predictable. (A good quality for those of you who are wondering) I must say, that this is not always the case in corporate. I have flown with more than my fair share of dingleberries who do thing differently. How many times have we heard something to the effect of .... "I like to do XYZ," in the mean time I left scratching my head wondering where he got that idea.
In the airline world "weird" behavior for the most part gets corrected or weeded out. In the corporate world, it often slips through cracks. Case in point, FSI. We have seen guys that have no business flying jets get type ratings. Beyond me.
My point, flight departments that shy away from typically have problems or CP's with insecurities. (ie low pay, crappy schedule, no days off, no SOP's etc).
PS does he gripe about stuff ... you bet, but I would be worried about someone who does not speak-up about our particular flight departments short comings.
