A note to the new folks. This is a workplace.

Y’all should learn how to swallow air, so when something unpleasant comes up you can rip a huge belch in response. This is what the nuclear strategists call “escalate to de-escalate” (it is not a universally endorsed).

It’s unambiguous.

And what, are they really gonna complain to anyone with authority that you belched when they tried force divisive and unwelcome conversation?
 
Maurus said:
The problem is that the quality of political conversations are extremely low. Not everyone wants to be a respectful interlocutor. Hell, the way it gets brought up tends to be via anger. Remember Todd, you haven't been flying during MAGA's existence. The loud and obnoxiousness of Trump has certainly rubbed off on many people. They think it is a virtue. I have literally had CAs walk into the flight deck complaining about Biden before even introducing themselves.
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See, that just doesn’t bother me. I could literally sit down and talk politics with Alex Jones for a few hours. I’d find it fascinating.
 
mikecweb said:
I'll talk about anything with anyone....for a finite amount of time. You wanna talk politics for 4 hours, no thanks. You wanna talk cars for 4 hours, no thanks. You wanna talk contract negotiations for 4 hours, no thanks. 30 mins on any of those as long as it doesn't escalate beyond a discussion I'm ok. If the body language of the other person changes then it's time to change subjects.
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I'm on board but, I could discuss bourbon for a much longer time than my bladder could ever hold out.
 
MikeD said:
Sterile cockpit. From the before start checklist, to the completion of the parking and shutdown checklist. No exceptions. :)
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I mean, I know you enjoy hand flying your legs at 12,500 VFR through some bizarre MOA corridor so you can tune up UHF with an ADF, a bag of crystals, and a 63 channel split, but some of us live up on eagle mountain with packaged olives and hummus. I'm gonna leave my hot mic on/rubber band engaged, while I eat my arugula and prosciutto sammie from 2 hrs ago in the North Sat, and rip farts. And then I'm gonna rip the boards out at the first hint of tickling the barber pole. No warning, just full aft in 0.2 seconds. Deal with it.
 
SlumTodd_Millionaire said:
See, that just doesn’t bother me. I could literally sit down and talk politics with Alex Jones for a few hours. I’d find it fascinating.
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I’m like you. Flying with a FO I talked about about CCW and how the interview went. He said he’d never held a gun before. So I just went a little further. Seemed he had no clue about stuff like Bruen. He didn’t seemed turned off by it. Seemed curious and I answered the best I could to his questions. I guess some would consider that a political convo. But it was cool, laid back.

I don’t mind talking Trump, nor do I mind talking Biden. Hate or love one, hate or love the other. I can hold a cordial convo on these topics. I just tend not to be the first to bring it up. They do. But I don’t shut it down. As long as we aren’t fighting, it’s cordial, and it’s non-sterile regime of flight, have at it. :)
 
Work is for work. Keep it light because there's a 99% chance the other person would just rather have you shut up about your thoughts on McCain-Fiengold or World Bank regulations.

Seek political validation with your golf buddies.

It's so good to be king. :)
 
derg said:
Work is for work. Keep it light because there's a 99% chance the other person would just rather have you shut up about your thoughts on McCain-Fiengold or World Bank regulations.

Seek political validation with your golf buddies.

It's so good to be king. :)
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nevermind_nathan_fillion.gif
 
SlumTodd_Millionaire said:
This idea that you shouldn’t talk about politics or religion is exactly how we ended up with so many people who are incapable of intelligent discourse.
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Personally, I believe that talk radio, cable news, and social media algorithms have allowed people to consume only media that promotes their worldview and to surround themselves with like minded individuals. On top of that, politicians in search of a sound bite have made it acceptable to say anything, no matter how socially unacceptable such behavior might once have been. And the human animal’s need for tribalism has created this psychological need to choose winners and losers and pick a team…. And all of that is how we ended with with so many people who are incapable of intelligent (and polite) discourse.

But regardless how we got here… here we are. And the workplace isn’t the place to expose one‘s prejudices about the opposing tribe, especially within earshot of customers, other employees or workgroups, etc. That’s what the internet is for…
 
Maurus said:
Remember Todd, you haven't been flying during MAGA's existence. The loud and obnoxiousness of Trump has certainly rubbed off on many people. They think it is a virtue. I have literally had CAs walk into the flight deck complaining about Biden before even introducing themselves.

The other quality problem is the lack of evidence that can be produced during such a conversation. Claims can easily be made but evidence cannot be produced without breaking airline policy. Good arguments require a good foundation.
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Bingo. The problem isn't just bringing up politics, it is the manner in which it is introduced. The MAGA crowd isn't interested in civility, hence the adoption of the worst kept curse word in the English speaking world - Let's Go Brandon! Or the other well thought out phrase: "F your feelings".

"Hey Captain, it looks like we'll be in ______ tonight. I know there's (insert activity or restaurant) not far from the hotel. That would be cool to check out, are you interested?" Captain: "Leave the hotel? In that •hole of a city/ state? This country is going down the toilet because of ...... As long as the hotel wifi works and I can get my (insert biased media) on my Chinese made iPad, I'll be in my room. Go ahead without me." I mean, a simple "No thanks, I have some stuff to catch up on." would suffice, instead you get a diatribe of their virtue signaling. Sure, there could be someone as opinionated on the other side of the spectrum, but they don't seem to be as vocal about it. There's a reason the stereotype about captains are boomers includes Corvettes and not what chapter of the Prius car club are you a member of.
 
So here’s my take on politics. I’ve noticed when people want to talk about it that have, generally, two motivations. 1. To validate whatever ridiculous pet belief they hold. Or 2, to start a fight. I just don’t care enough about the topic to enjoy either reason. I like people, and learning about them. What I don’t like is regurgitated cable news talking points. Yawn.

my favorite question recently has been “so what kind of nerdy hobbies do you have?”. That usually gets some good results with lots of conversation, some really interesting topics, and some reciprocity.
 
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