Examples of rude pilots

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Monpilot

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Monpilot
I flew into e38 (alpine tx) for the Labor Day holiday.

We rented a car but while talking with the airport manager he mentioned the courtesy car is available for use for an hour. It used to be available for longer but one pilot and his family flew in and said they needed it for a couple of hours and ended up taking it for two days. It would have been longer but a friend of his noticed it at the big bend national park lodge and the manager sent a sheriff to ask them to return it.

Personally I would have gone to pick up the car and left them stranded but that's just mean.

Any other examples of rude folks? Cutting you off in the pattern, etc?
 
Sorry, I'm not going here.

We have enough problems outside the pilot community, no reason to spit in our own pool.

Oh, and welcome to POA. Try another tack.
 
Welcome there is enough negativity on this board without looking for more,how about a thread for examples of good pilot skills and friendly pilot advise.
 
Anyone who has every owned a courtesy car knows that there are rude, self-absorbed pilots out there. We own the only hotel in the world that has courtesy vehicles for pilots to use, and in our 11 years in business, we have had:

- Windshields shattered
- Stereos destroyed
- Innumerable dead batteries caused by accessories being left on
- Doors locked with the keys inside
- No gas added
- Trash left in the vehicles
- The vehicle taken off the island, despite posted warnings not to do so
- Tiedowns stolen (we keep tiedowns in the plane, for our guests to use as needed)

On the other hand, we have not had to add gas to the courtesy van in three years, so things are improving. We've also had innumerable pilots drive it through the car wash, which is mighty nice of them.

And, we've had hundreds and hundreds of pilot guests thank us profusely for offering a service that no one else does. So the benefits still outweigh the headaches.

The world is full of idiots and asshats. The ratio in the aviation world is a tiny fraction of that in the general public, so I shan't complain!
 
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Sorry. I've never heard of a pilot being rude. Cheers!
 
I was totally ****ed when the sheriff showed up while I was at Big Bend and told me to return the car. Was just enjoying the park with my family and the cops look me up, not cool. What a punk business owner. That reminds me I got to slam that FBO on airnav for sending the fuzz after me.
 
If you want to meet jerks buy a boat.
 
I prefer the company of pilots to the general population, if that answers your question.
 
ClimbnSink said:
I was totally ****ed when the sheriff showed up while I was at Big Bend and told me to return the car. Was just enjoying the park with my family and the cops look me up, not cool. What a punk business owner. That reminds me I got to slam that FBO on airnav for sending the fuzz after me.
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Was that a better or worse experience from when you used that courtesy car to go to a hotel and then, seeing what it looked like, drove to dinner and another hotel?
 
Kudos to you for not adjusting policy to deal with the few ****ats.

Jay Honeck said:
Anyone who has every owned a courtesy car knows that there are rude, self-absorbed pilots out there. We own the only hotel in the world that has courtesy vehicles for pilots to use, and in our 11 years in business, we have had:

- Windshields shattered
- Stereos destroyed
- Innumerable dead batteries caused by accessories being left on
- Doors locked with the keys inside
- No gas added
- Trash left in the vehicles
- The vehicle taken off the island, despite posted warnings not to do so
- Tiedowns stolen (we keep tiedowns in the plane, for our guests to use as needed)

On the other hand, we have not had to add gas to the courtesy van in three years, so things are improving. We've also had innumerable pilots drive it through the car wash, which is might nice of them.

And, we've had hundreds and hundreds of pilot guests thank us profusely for offering a service that no one else does. So the benefits still outweigh the headaches.

The world is full of idiots and asshats. The ratio in the aviation world is a tiny fraction of that in the general public, so I shan't complain!
Click to expand...
 
Maybe I'm too easy on people, but almost everyone I've met in the general aviation community has been a nice person. I've bought and sold things through the message boards, never paid or asked for payment in advance, no issues. I don't think I've ever been turned down to look at a plane on a ramp, folks love have to tell you all about their planes. :yes:
I do have to agree on boating, that seems to be a more "competitive" crowd, mine's bigger kinda guys.:dunno:
 
Bob Noel said:
or a bicycle.

:mad:
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Bike riders that are dressed in normal street clothes usually are decent people... The ones who are dressed up like a rolling billboard need to be run over and left to bleed to death..:yes::rolleyes:
 
N801BH said:
Bike riders that are dressed in normal street clothes usually are decent people... The ones who are dressed up like a rolling billboard need to be run over and left to bleed to death..:yes::rolleyes:
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Stop giving them all a bad rap, it is just one guy dressed like that ****ing off the whole country.:rolleyes2: The cyclists will be by to explain it all soon(and let slip that they are also that guy, but don't have the self awareness to know.) :lol:
 
Seeing those guys ride by while wearing their pro jerseys makes me wonder if the biking companies would pay me to wear their stuff, or if they would pay even more if I didn't.

N801BH said:
Bike riders that are dressed in normal street clothes usually are decent people... The ones who are dressed up like a rolling billboard need to be run over and left to bleed to death..:yes::rolleyes:
Click to expand...
 
Years ago, back in the 1960s, I ran a retail shop out in La Jolla, CA. What I found was that a goodly percentage of our clientele were not as wealthy as one would think a person living in La Jolla would be. Someone had once told me that is is always a pleasure working with either the very wealthy or the very poor, neither group worries all that much about money and will always treat you with respect.

It's the ones who were not members of either of those groups that would come in an dump on you, ***** about your prices, and in general, treat you like your their personal flunky. They wanted our products, but it was clear that they could not afford them. Sadly, those were the bulk of the people who came into our store....I really hated going to work and having to spend most of my day being dumped on by the ten thousand dollar millionaires.

They drove up in fancy cars, dressed expensively, and usually bejeweled with what may or may not have been the real thing, but they could not pull a twenty dollar bill out of their wallet if their life depended on it. All they had was a either a check, Diners Club card, or an American Express card, and of course all of the local department store revolving credit card plans. It was not uncommon for them to write a check for a fifty cent package of picture hooks.

They were always self absorbed, rude, inconsiderate, and total as*****s. I think that our beloved aviation community has more than it's share of such people, the ones caught in the middle, but want everyone they know to think they are at the top.

I am convinced that these folks have put themselves under so much financial pressure and debt load that they have become completely unaware of others, only themselves.

I have a neighbor who is genuinely wealthy, he owns and pilots a Citation, Bob Hoover has spent weeks at his home. Both he and his wife are downright delightful people, down to earth, and a pleasure to be around.

My neighborhood is not a bit like La Jolla, it does not draw the wannabes, there are low income people like myself, living next door to billionaires, and anyone would be hard pressed to tell which is which if you met them on the street. I think that is why I like the aviation community so darn much. In general, the folks are much like the folks I live around....nice people. Then there's that group over in the jet section, not all of them, but perhaps some of them. :rolleyes:

-John
 
Am i the only one who sees irony in a new guy jumping onto POA and asking for examples of rude pilots and being told that his question is not worthy?
 
N801BH said:
Bike riders that are dressed in normal street clothes usually are decent people... The ones who are dressed up like a rolling billboard need to be run over and left to bleed to death..:yes::rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I am that guy. However, believe it or not, most people that know me in real life would claim I'm a decent person.

ClimbnSink said:
Stop giving them all a bad rap, it is just one guy dressed like that ****ing off the whole country.:rolleyes2: The cyclists will be by to explain it all soon(and let slip that they are also that guy, but don't have the self awareness to know.) :lol:
Click to expand...

We don't **** off the whole entire country, just a few jealous husbands and boyfriends. Believe it or not, chicks dig that stuff. Here's a little secret - chicks dig cowboys too, but not gruff, bearded fat guys in jeans and boots. They like their cowboys to be pro bike riders dressed in cowboy clothes.

wabower said:
Seeing those guys ride by while wearing their pro jerseys makes me wonder if the biking companies would pay me to wear their stuff, or if they would pay even more if I didn't.
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A lot of those guys are wearing team jerseys, promoting their team. Then again some of us wear that stuff just to irk non-riding haters. Or to be highly visible on the road.

bartmc said:
Am i the only one who sees irony in a new guy jumping onto POA and asking for examples of rude pilots and being told that his question is not worthy?
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I guess it's ironic, it's just an odd first post. I don't personally take offense to it. I do think the subject has been beaten to death though.
 
John Baker said:
Years ago, back in the 1960s, I ran a retail shop out in La Jolla, CA. What I found was that a goodly percentage of our clientele were not as wealthy as one would think a person living in La Jolla would be. Someone had once told me that is is always a pleasure working with either the very wealthy or the very poor, neither group worries all that much about money and will always treat you with respect.

It's the ones who were not members of either of those groups that would come in an dump on you, ***** about your prices, and in general, treat you like your their personal flunky.
Click to expand...

There is much truth in that.

What I find interesting is how people treat you differently based on what you're doing. For example, I have done most of the remodeling of our hotel myself, which means that for 5 out of 12 months, I often look like a common laborer. Sweaty, dirty clothes, paint (or worse) in my beard, and a ball cap are the norm for my first 8 hours, every day.

When an unknowing guest interacts with me during this time, the treatment is TOTALLY different. If they speak to me at all, it is often curtly and with disdain, as if they might catch something from being too close to a worker.

Later, when I'm behind the front desk or at the pool, and somewhat spiffed up, few even realize that I'm the same guy -- because they didn't actually SEE the common laborer. It's as if "those people" aren't real, to these sorts of folks.

The truly poor people -- the ones who are making an enormous budgetary stretch to be here -- are wonderful. The super wealthy are as well. It's not unusual for the owner of a private jet to ASSUME that I'm the owner, as I'm busting out an old tile floor, because he's owned commercial property and knows that doing it yourself is the only way to get it done right.
 
Work at an FBO. For a long time I didn't want to be a pilot because I didn't want to act like they did. And as a general rule, the smaller airplane the bigger the butthole, with Bonanzas taking the cake for overall rudeness and 'holyier-than-thou' attitude. I've had few problems with people in jets, a couple here or there but usually it was related to something outside of my control like catering. The Bonanzas though will ask for a hangar so their airplane doesn't get hailed on then the next day they scream at you about the price. Or they scream at you because middle-of-nowhere Wyoming had $5/gal fuel but yours was $6 so you NEED TO MATCH. Nope... you have a brand new Bonanza, I know you're not poor.
 
John Baker nailed it! I saw it regularly in my little mom & pop camera store for 27 years.
One regular customer always stayed in his place-in-line(if there was a line); others didn't know who he was, except those remaining while I thanked him by his name(first name, only). He owned/owns Maine's most famous mail order company.

There was the gentleman who retired to Brunswick because he wanted to be near a good library. Bowdoin College's facility met his desires. Super nice, right down to earth; he had so much more to tell than "Tales of the South Pacific."

The lady would come into the store with a gentleman who "drove her around as needed," he the usual buying customer. She was a delight, always pleasant and with an inquiring conversation. Her last will and testament remains as the largest ever probated in the State of Maine -- huge bequests to museums, hospitals, colleges -- hundreds of million$. Her former husband had been part of a new, successful product; later, he founded Intel Corporation, and California being a 50/50 state - - - - -

Then, there were the real turkeys; but everyone got the same service with a smile.

HR
 
Kinda rude of the OP to just post once and leave???


Every year, for one week, I volunteer at one of the Top 10 Largest rodeos in the country. For 5 days in a row, I stand in front of one of the two busiest outlets for alcohol sales, in the State, beer booths checking Identification to ensure over 21, and to make sure the event doesn't lose its' liquor license (and the $100k's of money we donate around the community to various non-profits).

For 5 days, I wear a pair of jeans, some old boots that are comfortable to stand on hot pavement, and an ugly T-shirt that says "SECURITY". And for 5 days, I have all sorts of people look down upon me, treat me poorly, and explain to me how I am doing my "job" wrong.

I laugh with the other two security "guards" standing in front of it with me. The guy on my left owns one of the largest trucking companies in the State, with trucks running all over the 48 states. The guy on my right owns a large utility/horse trailer manufacturing company.

The mix of who looks down upon us is always entertaining...


(And, to be honest, one of the most fun weeks of the year. Hanging at a rodeo, in front of a beer booth pretty much insures I will see everyone in the County/part of State that I know, sometime over the course of the week. I will get caught up with all sorts of people I need get caught up with. The gals selling the beer behind us are lots of fun to BS with and free Beer and Pendelton Whisky for a week ain't bad..... We work our butts off, party hard for a week, and raise a **** ton of money for a bunch of ogranizations, entertain tens of thousands of people, and drive a bunch of money into the surrounding community and businesses.)
 
JoseCuervo said:
I laugh with the other two security "guards" standing in front of it with me. The guy on my left owns one of the largest trucking companies in the State, with trucks running all over the 48 states. The guy on my right owns a large utility/horse trailer manufacturing company.

The mix of who looks down upon us is always entertaining...

We work our butts off, party hard for a week, and raise a **** ton of money for a bunch of ogranizations, entertain tens of thousands of people, and drive a bunch of money into the surrounding community and businesses.)
Click to expand...

Well you ARE JoseCuervo:lol:
 
John Baker said:
Someone had once told me that is is always a pleasure working with either the very wealthy or the very poor, neither group worries all that much about money and will always treat you with respect.
Click to expand...

Jay Honeck said:
The truly poor people -- the ones who are making an enormous budgetary stretch to be here -- are wonderful. The super wealthy are as well.
Click to expand...

Lawreston said:
John Baker nailed it! I saw it regularly in my little mom & pop camera store for 27 years.
Click to expand...

Fortunately for you gentlemen, it has been said that the middle class is vanishing. A few will allegedly move up into the wealthy class and the rest to the very poor. The result will be that eventually everyone will treat you with respect. None of you, I presume, are or ever have been in that middle class that generally disrespected you.
 
Jim Logajan said:
Fortunately for you gentlemen, it has been said that the middle class is vanishing. A few will allegedly move up into the wealthy class and the rest to the very poor. The result will be that eventually everyone will treat you with respect. None of you, I presume, are or ever have been in that middle class that generally disrespected you.
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Now THAT is funny!

My take home pay last year put me easily below the poverty line, as we continue to plow everything we make back into our new aviation themed digs.

Many years are that way. Some years aren't. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3...
 
Spent many years watching the slack at Cheyenne, but didn't start drinking that early in the day.

Roy Cooper was the hot young hand in calf roping, now it's his kid. Sheesh!

JoseCuervo said:
Kinda rude of the OP to just post once and leave???


Every year, for one week, I volunteer at one of the Top 10 Largest rodeos in the country. For 5 days in a row, I stand in front of one of the two busiest outlets for alcohol sales, in the State, beer booths checking Identification to ensure over 21, and to make sure the event doesn't lose its' liquor license (and the $100k's of money we donate around the community to various non-profits).

For 5 days, I wear a pair of jeans, some old boots that are comfortable to stand on hot pavement, and an ugly T-shirt that says "SECURITY". And for 5 days, I have all sorts of people look down upon me, treat me poorly, and explain to me how I am doing my "job" wrong.

I laugh with the other two security "guards" standing in front of it with me. The guy on my left owns one of the largest trucking companies in the State, with trucks running all over the 48 states. The guy on my right owns a large utility/horse trailer manufacturing company.

The mix of who looks down upon us is always entertaining...


(And, to be honest, one of the most fun weeks of the year. Hanging at a rodeo, in front of a beer booth pretty much insures I will see everyone in the County/part of State that I know, sometime over the course of the week. I will get caught up with all sorts of people I need get caught up with. The gals selling the beer behind us are lots of fun to BS with and free Beer and Pendelton Whisky for a week ain't bad..... We work our butts off, party hard for a week, and raise a **** ton of money for a bunch of ogranizations, entertain tens of thousands of people, and drive a bunch of money into the surrounding community and businesses.)
Click to expand...
 
I know about the treatment by those in the middle. When I worked retail the guy who scrimped and saved to buy the toy he wanted, or the pro ball player or rock idol were ALWAYS a pleasure to serve, the rest were usually alright. However the bad was always from that middle ground.

It is one thing I like about my current job, I get to dress in the stained jeans and T-shirt without the distain many folks have for the typical laborer. It is actually funny the difference in treatment I get in places like banks or shops when I have on one of my shirts with a company logo on it vs when I just wear a plain black shirt. It seems that no matter how much grease is on my face if my shirt says "aviation" on it it get good, prompt and friendly service, without I have been kicked off of used car lots
 
Jay Honeck said:
Now THAT is funny!

My take home pay last year put me easily below the poverty line, as we continue to plow everything we make back into our new aviation themed digs.

Many years are that way. Some years aren't. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Click to expand...

Looks like I need a step down in income so I can afford an RV-8A. (Well actually an RV-9A would be my preference....)
 
No matter what you post, or what your line of thought is, there will always be those who read what they want to read, and misinterpret the whole thing. Myself, I am always astounded at their cleverness. I am also frustrated by my inability to communicate my thoughts so that all who read them, will understand them.

-John
 
In destin it is common for Joe Schmo to fly in from the north in his King Air/Citation/Phenom/Hawker/hairdryer and etc to call a 6 mile final... While 3 other planes are working the pattern. Or the above mentioned fellows come from the west and call a 6 mile right base. At a left hand traffic airport. Very few pilots take the time and effort to overfly the field and turn to enter a "regular" pattern.
 
John Baker said:
No matter what you post, or what your line of thought is, there will always be those who read what they want to read, and misinterpret the whole thing. Myself, I am always astounded at their cleverness. I am also frustrated by my inability to communicate my thoughts so that all who read them, will understand them.

-John
Click to expand...

I am sorry if I misunderstood. I read at least three posts that seemed to provide observations that supported the generalization that the poor and the rich tended to be nicer to deal with on a business and personal level than others. The only other group that seem to remain is the middle class.

If any of those posters wish to correct my understanding of the point of their posts I would appreciate it.
 
John Baker said:
No matter what you post, or what your line of thought is, there will always be those who read what they want to read, and misinterpret the whole thing. Myself, I am always astounded at their cleverness. I am also frustrated by my inability to communicate my thoughts so that all who read them, will understand them.

-John
Click to expand...

You and me both.

One thing that's been highlighted by some recent meant-not-to-be-controversial posts is the truly appalling state of reading comprehension today.

One person will misread and misinterpret what has been written. Within three posts, that misrepresentation becomes the New Truth. From that point onward, there is no further point in posting, as the entire original point of the comment has been lost.

Think: Vne. In one thread, I commented that there are those who exceed it. Within four posts, I was being portrayed as recklessly advocating flying at and beyond Vne. It was all downhill from there.

I blame Twitter and texting for this comprehensive decline. People who read and write in single sentences just don't always take the time needed to fully comprehend a complicated concept. They snap things off in little pieces, and dash off a response ASAP, often missing nuance and shading.

It would be hilarious, except that it's become so prevalent. Nowadays, I find it healthy to simply ignore threads that spin in that direction.
 
It's been so long since I've worked with the public or lived in what I would call a ordinary community that I've forgotten what it's like. My conformation bias tells me that most people are polite, the merchants, shopkeepers and restaurant owners are spectacularly polite and genuine, the college undergrads are cluelessly rude, and that people actually go out of their way to help each other. Out at the airport, my best pilot buddies are the FedEx captain, the Southwest captain and the retired professor. I'm grateful for such good and interesting friends.
 
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