DrC, I agree with quite a bit of what you say. However, no airline will ever admit to blackmailing a pilot over safety issues, nor will they ever be seen to apply commercial pressure to take no more than minimum fuel, etc. etc. etc.
However, this all happens. I know. I have seen it, in several outfits of varying sizes. I have seen huge amounts of pressure put on pilots who were seen to be "troublesome" or "stirrers" when they raised questions of safety, or pointed out aspects of poor management that had impacts upon operations and operational effectiveness or safety. There are many, many pilots out there who have seen much the same as I have.
The Guvnor gave the only reply any member of management could or would (aoutside a court of law) give. Yet such a reply is, in the context of this forum, slightly naive.
And now I think I've just blown my chance of getting a decent Havana cigar at the Xmas bash!
