Well I have been in it a few years, and have to say that the two extremes you describe (particularly the latter,) are so rare as to be almost non-existent. Like most people from any professional background there is the entire gamut of personalities in between. You are either very unlucky or have a severely polarized viewpoint ?
Grizzled, thanks for adding your observation regarding the changes that occurred partly as a result of the SR 111 accident. The checklists were modified subsequently to better highlight the imperative. I was replying to post no 63 which was not relevant to the date in that particular context, however I completely accept your point.