I like the idea of a separate forum. Perhaps it could somehow be limited to members that actually belong to the industry (Anyone can view it but only airline pilots can post).
If not, the only way to combat the multitude of union threads is to start threads about other topics.
Well here's the deal.
Without requiring some sort of (easily defeatable) litmus test, it's very difficult to create and "industry only" forum. I really don't want to get into the business of asking folks for credentials and crosschecking them with the FAA because that would require a lot of manpower which we really don't have.
I think the
best way is to participate.
Let me speak very frankly. This might be a little raw because I'm a little loopy from screwing up my sleep cycle on this trip.
Some people absolutely bitch to no end about the website. However, when I click "show all posts by...", most of their posts have been negative, sarcastic and such, but then they write me an email or a PM about "Your website is negative, erase my posts, I'm gone forever!!!!!". Well, a whole freaking lot of their posts were negative! What have THEY said, or offered, positive? Hey man, I'm just the highway overpass and y'all are painting the graffiti. Sorry, I don't hate my job, I've had a "renewal" of sorts when I started flying international. I don't have any more or less opportunity than anyone else has on the website so if you're "in it to win it", improve your position. No one's going to hand you career satisfaction on a silver platter.
Conversely, inherently negative people bitch about the koombayah environment that the positive people are living in. Then they say insipid #### like "Oh, it's just a bunch of kids that don't want to hear the TROOF about the profession, I'm gone!!!111oneone". The truth according to who?!
And inverse of the converse, there are those that bitch about the
negativity of the website and scream "inner circle! inner circle! if I'm not bitter about the profession, my input isn't welcome!"
So I ask, not directed at you Brian (fo sho!) or anyone in particular, but just a shot in the dark, what have
YOU done to improve things? What insight are
you providing? Remember, I'm just the highway overpass and you guys are the taggers with the spray paint. You all know what I'm trying to accomplish here and how many of you are helping foster that? Or how many just log on to bitch about things that are absolutely out of our control? How many volunteer? How many show up to meet 'n greets? Hell, how many of you talk #### about the website, exclaim how they're running off to otheraviationwebsite.com, only to come back, meld back in, rinse and repeat the cycle?
And on the other side, kool aid will give you a hangover nastier than mixing cheap beer with scotch chasers.
But what do we do?
"Dough, I want the new posts button to only show new posts that ***I*** care about!"
"Dough, what's up with the people that aren't like me that are on the forum?"
"Dough, I'm tired of the political threads in the lavatory (dude, it's not required reading!!! HellooOooOOo?!?)"
"Dough, I want that user on my ignore list, how do I do that?" quickly followed by "That thread don't make no sense!"
Come on folks, we're pilots. We're on the cool side of the locking cockpit door. Take personal responsibility. Foster the environment which you want to work in.
I ain't yo daddy.
If you're bitching, you're failing.