People are 'talking in circles' because:
1. They do not know the full fact situation, and
2. If they know the person concerned, they know it is irresponsible to 'name names' (due in part to point 1).
Additionally, the chap appears to be one of the 'known personalities'. Every organisation has them. Even with modern CRM training, for every one that leaves an airline or a fleet, there is always appears to be another one coming up through the ranks to take their place. Discussion of how they can affect the operation is relevant, particularly when the 'known personality' is the Captain. It can be quite a difficult path to tread for a junior crew member to voice a concern when the Captain is not receptive to what can be perceived as criticism of their knowledge or operational ability. Add to the mix that in the past in Qantas, when there have been incidents that could rightly been attributed to errors by the Captain and F/O, the responsibility and blame has been passed to the S/O, rather than the responsibility flowing upward to the Captain.
Last edited by theheadmaster; 23rd Aug 2012 at 12:58.