I think you're right, I must be still in the honeymoon period (8 years later)!. I don't know anything about the "greasy pole" nor do I care. I'm simply a nobody happy to do my job and to have a job. No I don't think the place is perfect!
As for the check captains that I've had I can say the vast majority have been excellent (I've had the so called "tougher" ones). My experience from my pay sim to my last check has been only positive. At least at Virgin when they see you have put the work in and have the right attitude the checkies will encourage rather than berate or threaten.
I must clarify that I don't know anything about Air North and was making a comment about my experience in regional/mining work. Some of our collegues have worked at big airlines like CX etc and have confirmed that we have a pretty good checking culture here.
Good luck to you and Air North for that matter. Sorry about the thread drift.