Lalapanzi.....
Doing the job we are paid for?? Absolutely right, but does that mean we have to sit back and take the constant flak for apparantley every problem that occurs within the airline?? I'm afraid that, if you have any kind of personality whatsoever, it will p**s you off, and you'll do your utmost to inform/educate those accusing you of exactly what problems you are facing - CONSTANTLY!
Is that so wrong or will that offend the delicate pilot 'customer' fraternity you so desperately want to belong to? Maybe that'll lead to the better understanding you mention....or not.
I enjoyed reading your comments about not having grasped the Ops function. I think we all know only too well what the Ops function has become, and it's certainly not what it used to be. Maybe it is pilots/cabin crew/airport staff in general that cannot fully appreciate the Operational decision making process, and have no appreciation of what being the nerve centre involves, and it is they who are in desperate need of education. The flow of information can be very difficult, especially when the party you are attempting to get your point to is not interested because 'it's only ops mucking the programme around again'. Again, who's fault is that?
Our customers are the flight crew? Have to disagree with your choice of words - shop steward is something I'll never be! - but I take your point. Indeed they are, but are we not working together, not for them? Lets not forget that for a start. For an annoyingly increasing majority, being on top of the game is not good enough for some these days.
Companies, as well as individual attitudes, can play a huge part in decreasing the divide that will always be there between Ops and flight crew. Dont get me wrong, I'm certainly not one of the infamous 'them and us' believers, but the divide is their and will always be. Appreciation and respect is a two way thing that, as has been proved on many threads including this one, is diminishing towards humble Ops people.