TB
I think you may be missing the point here.
You so eloquently quoted one of lifeÕs great axiomsÉ
Remember, opinions are like a.s.s.h.o.l.e.s, everybody has one. Why donÕt you grow up and accept opinions that contradict yours.
Perhaps you should also understand that the corollary is also true.
Not all who have differing opinions are a.s.s.h.o.l.e.s
Whilst cprune of itself may not be a primary reason for leaving the AOA, it certainly provides a less than anonymous platform for the bullying of minority opinion.
What you are saying is more than just any dissenters should accept opinions that contradict their own. You are suggesting, in addition, that they should also accept being denied one vehicle by which to express themelves within the AOA forum.
Unfortunately, it seems to my perhaps atrophying brain that this is further dividing the pilot body and making the AOA less able to advocate toward the middle ground. Indeed it is pushing them toward more desperate and secretive measures to exact some kind of face-saving solution to the 49Õer issue in order to show some forward progress.
The cockpit door is now firmly locked, physically and metaphorically. If we want to keep it that way, then I guess management wonÕt mind too much. It is really our choice.
There is a voice of reason out there, just ask the Canadian F/O who was recently allowed to retract his resignation. Indeed, I would submit that had there been an apology for the flying peanuts, the incident would have been forgotten and help provided.
Sure there are other cases that might suggest otherwise, but weeding out dissenters from the AOA by design or by attrition is surely counterintuitive.
At the risk of incoming from 6FU et al, further division serves only to make bitterness the master of all he pervades.