A question (And a word of warning)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: ISZ - not the end of the world, but you can see it from here.
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A question (And a word of warning)
You're known at your unit as a pruner, and that is all well and good. One day an unknown ID starts posting, and soon, rumours start that you *may* be responsible for the posts. . .. .If these rumours persist, and something particularly untoward is posted by the unknown username, how long would it take for the rumour to become accepted as truth, and for example, if you're away from work and the usual friendly voices for a week or two. The 'truth' has now found its way to head office, and the brown stuff is starting to hit the spinny air moving device.. .Unfair dismissal would of course see you reinstated if events took a real turn for the worse, but is there any way to avoid the rumours apart from being completely honest about your ID (and rendering the anonymous nature of PPRuNe useless), or not visiting or contributing at all?. .. .Speculation - could it be dangerous? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fort Worth ARTCC ZFW
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's why it is easier to just put your name to what you write and let them come to you and bitch <G>... If it's true all they can do is FUME! <BG>. .. .regards
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: EU
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trouble is, Scott, that over here even posting on Pprune can be a disciplinary matter with some ATC providers..... it doesn't really matter whether what you say is true or not <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> . .. .Personally, I agree with afterthelanding; I always speak my mind on here on the basis that if anything were to become of it I don't think I'd wish to carry on working for that company anyway. There's a freedom of speech issue here, and to my mind talking on Pprune is no different to talking to your mates down the pub. Unfortunately, we don't have the First Ammendment to fall back on!. . . . <small>[ 22 March 2002, 10:54: Message edited by: 1261 ]</small>
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Adrift upon the tides of fate
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think a lot has to do with the burden of proof. To be sacked, it would have to be proven that it was you (in places where unfair dismissal exists <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" /> ) (based on balance of evidence ala civil cases).
niknak
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just be very careful what you write and the way that you write it.. .Obviously Danny and the Prune Blue Pencil Brigade know outright slander when they see it and can withdraw a posting or take the appropriate action.. .However, if you want to post something about your unit which is true but of probable embarrassment to your employers, do so in such a way that keeps you annonomous to the rest of the world.. .Unfortunately, some people don't put much thought into covering their tracks and in the past 2 months alone I've spotted the identities of 2 new pruners just by the information they've put on their profiles.. .If your opinions on a particular matter are well known within your unit and they then appear on here, folk are bound to jump to conclusions.. .Out the truth and be damned - but not that damned <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even though the forum is somewhat "anymouse" use your head. Write whatever but don't post it for 12 hours, then reread it and apply the Washington Post/Times of London/East Podunk Gazette test: If you can not stand to see it with your name on it on the front page above the fold don't send it.
Manchesters Most Wanted PPRuNer
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No - you are certainly and definitely not alone in this situation (but I shant go into that again - cheers NATS!) but, at the end of the day, if what you post is always the truth, not detrimental to flight safety or specific individuals and not commercially sensitive - then you will break no laws and management will have very very little grounds on which to punish you.. .. .Trust me, I know. . .. .PPRuNe is frowned upon BIG TIME at my unit - we are all warned strictly and regularly not to post on here - but nothing is ever said by my colleagues and I that isn't true or that causes problems - I'm sure of that. . .. .I am aware that I am somewhat of a hunted character at my unit thanks in-part to some of my postings. I have though, managed to keep my true identity secret - so it can be done no matter how hard you are hunted. . .. .Disinformation my friend - works wonders <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .Saying that - I don't think I've ever ever posted anything that I haven't truly believed and that hasn't been true to the core. And where I have been wrong I've admitted it publicly. . .. .I am tempted on a shift by shift basis to "come out" but wonder what the point of that would *really* be?. .. .I happen to repsect most of my managers - I have a good working relationship with them and would hope they know me well enough to respect my opinions and ideas and honour my need for freedom of speech.. .. .Chance I can't take though.. .. .A lot of good comes from PPRuNe lets not forget. . .. .I've showed many many people around, met many crews, gained many refreshing perspectives, done the salesman and helper bit to potential recruits, liased with colleagues from other units (something that is no longer possible via visits thanks to the cutbacks) and above all else learnt a hell of a lot that helps me in my job.. .. .Keep it truthful and don't hold back but bear in mind those red words at the bottom of the page.. . . . <small>[ 22 March 2002, 23:43: Message edited by: niteflite01 ]</small>
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fort Worth ARTCC ZFW
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You guys just make me REALLY happy that a couple of hundred years ago a bunch of gents got together and put together some great ideas on paper and fought for them.... It also makes me appreciated the first ammendment and a bunch of the others just that much more.... .. .regards
StandupfortheUlstermen
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Peoples' Democratic Republic of Wurzelsetshire
Age: 53
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sod them all, Cuddles.. .I've been reliably informed that my name came up in conversation between my Satco and a certain CAA Inspectorate bod, regarding atcos (both Nats and non-Nats)in our part of the country winding each other up on this site, and ripping into decisions made by Nats/CAA which affect us all.. .By all accounts, my boss told the guy, "He does it on his own PC at home, in his own time, the airport can't interfere!" . .As a union rep (in the UK), I would say that unless your company has irrefutable proof that you are posting slanderous remarks about the company, they can do sod all about it. Even if they do have what they consider to be proof (ie bribing Danny & co to give out your details) they are still on sticky ground.. .. .If all else fails, make friends with your union rep, and don't annoy him/her, cos the legal advice is free!. .. .Sleeping's permitted (but not on company time), dribbling isn't!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: EU
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Surely they'd be either "libellous" remarks (in England and Wales) or "defamatory" remarks (in Scotland) if posted on Pprune!. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Otterbourne, nr J12 M3, UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cuddles and all. .. .I feel sure that most of our managers - largely broad minded and intelligent people - see that the benefits of PPRuNe outweigh the drawbacks. Spending one's own time wittering on about work is after all communication; naturally common sense applies and as suggested above, avoid defamatory personal statements, copying internal emails or posting after 6 pints in the pub.. .. .Those that aren't familiar with the site tend to only hear about the hot topics or when something makes the press but there's more about the site than the ATC bit. For example, Jet Blast is dead funny and the general sections enable us to ask questions that we could otherwise only do on a fam flight. Which is a good job as when I logged onto PPRuNe for my pre-cycle brief the other day it appears we have no fam flights any more! . .. .The site provides something for official comms channels to aspire to and apart from anything else we're learning more about each other's jobs and the industry which is a very good thing.. .. .zzzzzz
