I was quite intrigued by this thread which appeals for improvement in the level of professionalism on PPrune.
I have been a member since day 1 and under my current username for over 10 years. I am not a frequent poster but started a thread on "Airline Pilot - Trade or Profession" 6 days ago and to date there have been 68 replies - the vast majority of which have been edifying. There have been no examples of profanity nor any personal attacks. Amongst other things, the posters discuss the very relevant current issues associated with seniority systems vs DECs that are topical in light of the recent Virgin Blue DEC decision / thread.
The thread was specifically about airline pilots so I was a bit surprised to see it moved by the moderators to the GA forum. This caused some thread drift away from "airline pilot" to "pilot" but the tone remained sensible. Therefore, I was even more surprised to see that my topic is posted on the list of "HATES" of one of the moderators which is amplified by the moderator's statement on this thread.
QUOTE:
• "Is flying a profession or a trade?" Neither. It is a job and vocation like any other. Get your head out of your @ss and understand you are no different to any other working Australian. Like pilots, ship's captains, bus drivers, tour guides, police and taxi drivers all wear epaulettes. Why are you any different or better?
UNQUOTE. (my underlining)
Over 60 PPruners obviously thought that the topic was worth discussing politely and there is no mention of epaulettes, better / worse etc. A moderator obviously doesn't agree. I apologise unreservedly if my thread offended the moderator.
As an aside I mentioned in the other thread that a really good read is "Flying the Line - A History of USALPA" which reveals that seniority systems were introduced by airline management in the 1930s to control pilot mobility (i.e. leave and you start at the bottom). Another favourite book of mine is 1984 where oligarchy rules OK.
Fly Safe PJ
Last edited by Propjet88; 26th November 2009 at 20:38.