Story time...
One drill weekend circa 2014/2015, half the squadron is piled on a bus headed to some off-base training. I was a still in my first year at DAL and I didn't really talk much airline talk in the squadron unless asked. On the bus ride out, someone asks me something about DAL, so I answered. Suddenly, two of our full timers (so self pro-claimed, "never airline" types...) come unglued and bitch me out for talking airline talk. Until I saw their reaction to my laugh, I thought they were joking because I was simply answering a question. They were legit pissed and kept yelling...at which point I told them how, when, where and why they could go fuck themselves. The closest I've ever come to throwing a punch at work actually. I was a prior-e with one of them, so it threw me off guard. Anywho, fast forward a few years and those two fuckheads are flying for the airlines. I'm sitting in a briefing room, prepping for a sortie and I hear them chattering around the corner about airlines. I peak my ugly mug around the corner with a smug ass look and ask them to keep the airline chatter down, I'm trying to prep tactical shit here.
It's certainly not for everyone, but Brabus is right, for many years of our careers we've been conditioned against airlines. I guess that's why it's referenced so much now. Don't worry, it will stop in the next down turn...
Break Break
Some people need their work to give them a sense of purpose and a feeling doing something meaningful, which is great. This U-2 gig seems like a great deal for someone like that. Then there are people like me who do the airlines because it's the best money I can make, in the least amount of time away from home. I've got way too many things I want to do outside of work...no purpose needed for me. Not many places are going to be ok with me dropping my schedule and not showing up for the month lol. I'd rather spend my time traveling with the frau, volunteering at the local aviation museum and flying my own planes.
Neither is right...someone will be happy with this U-2 gig for sure.