Evening Pakeha-Boy:
These frustrations can consume any of us and we all can justify descriptions of injustice and mistreatment from the other 'barbarian tribes' during a merger. Sure-this sounds foolish and over-simplistic. The only solution is practicing partial, or even total detachment. It is not easy, but we don't need to be a Buddhist or Hindu.
My company went through a merger in the late 80's. For a merger, it wasn't too bad...but-I had ZERO expectations and only wanted to stay as a narrow-body FO at my home base.
We 'may be' in another merger.
Frankly, I really don't care. I delete almost each and every MEC/LEC e-mail on this computer-and never read about 80% of them- because I don't care, and expect this merger to be a real 'train wreck' or 'Katrina', as some of it is caused by the very disturbing trends in fuel prices, and the eternal tribal clashes on this planet. Only 6-9 years to go for me (normal age), but seriously doubt that I can stand this industry too much longer. But my wife has a medical condition and I don't know who pays for health insurance it we retire a good bit early. I hate to go into the crew lounge to ask a really dumb question about such a basic topic.
If we find a new hobby, i.e. plinking with the Mini 14, 30, SKS and M44 rifles...all very handy carbines, it takes our minds away from this miserable industry which won't get any better...
Too busy enjoying running in the woods on days off, or blasting floating grapefruits with fairly cheap, hollow-point Russian ammo to give a d**n about this next merger/train wreck. Check a lot for ammo price increases-the many ammo (and vast number of rifle) choices, along with the plinking give me some power and control, and is lots of fun-safe fun. Would like to go hunt a feral pig soon with a seasoned guide. Not so safe but could be interesting, and we'll be well-armed.
Your so-called 'cohort' on this topic has become detached, and is quite diplomatic. You two could beat each other up on the Internet, but it would not change what your leaders decide to do or not do.
He might remain much healthier, living longer after he retires.
This stuff can eat us up. Some of our previous MEC partly sold us out (mostly the junior guys took the extra hits)...it does not matter any more. Frankly I'm quite cynical now and just don't care anymore to be associated with this company or the industry which cuts as many customer, but also safety corners as it can, and wish I had a second business-would like to leave. Nothing I do will prevent our Upper Mgmt Slime Bags from being awarded huge stock/cash packages. I just fly for the paycheck and benefits, wanting to be really safe and smooth, but really feel sorry for the junior people who were already furloughed up to six years or so.
Expectations mostly lead to big disappointments.
Eternity lasts forever when we die, so why speed up the process?
A quote from Shakespeare helped me deal with the ex- many years ago:
"Misery loves company". Once we understand that, we can learn to be much more detached from what appears to be a personal, or attack on our tribe.
We are all in different 'gangs', or cultures-and there is nothing new about this. It is our human history and it will never stop, while we are alive.
It takes practice to live a bit as we can on our days off, deleting most e-mails before we try to read them, and staying healthy.
Last edited by Ignition Override; 25th May 2008 at 06:28.