Aplogy to the team.. 1st LTS match (MML)

During our first match of LTS I got rather 'testy' with several pilots, at one point before the match even started.. I used some "language" I should not have .. for that I apologize, it was uncalled for.

Yes.. everyone does it now and then and gets 'emotional' , but for an officer of the squad .. it don't cut it and should never happen. So I was wrong in doing such and no excuse such as "only human", etc are good answers. The only good reply is an apology.

I will say this about what I got upset about .. and that is being "picky" about the 'rules'. Yes I'm picky and always will be because I believe in rules .. and if rules exist they should be followed. How would you like to win a match, only to find out later your win is being taken away because of a technical infraction of the rules? WE should know the rules ..and know them well because if we don't .. we might find our 'win' being changed to a 'loss'! Picky .. you damn right I am.

Secondly I got angry at a pilot after three times he forced me into a "crash" by running me off the runway. We are much better than that.. and yes I got angry on the third time and stated it. I didn't cuss. . but my tone of voice and direction at one particular pilot was not appropriate at the time, because he laughed about it .. I felt he was not serious... this infuriated me. Again, this should NOT happen during a match as I could address that problem later. During a match.. keep focused on the over all objective, this I failed for a moment.

I am one of those rare people that can get "infuriated" at someone right now .. and ten minutes later it's over. It is now behind me and I move on. I do NOT harbor grudges or remember an incident for the rest of my life .. or throw such incident into someone face weeks or even years later. It is forgotten.. water under the bridge .. behind me .. I move on.

Fun first .. that is my motto and that is what I believe. But don't ever think I like loosing ... !! I take match times very seriously and want all the pilots to approach the match with a serious attitude, etc. Not cocky .. but serious. Not an attitude that no one can defeat us .. but serious attitude toward the task non the less.

Professional approach. You say we need practice .. and say we need to practice what we know . and what we have learned .. all the time not just during a practice meet. Lets remember something .. Tbar is an average pilot .. and if you cant beat me regularly .. then you are an average pilot also. Average pilots can win. . and win big if they function as a Team.

Team Work is what we need to practice. All the fancy moves in the world won't substitute for team work. In my mind good Team Works starts with basic's one might not think of as good pilot skills and flying as a team... so I ask you to consider the followings

1) Show up on time .. before time.. ready to fight.

2) always go down a pre-match check sheet.. seriously.

3) Always know your position and part.

4) During a match .. it is all by CO direction. You don't do anything without the CO's approval and understanding.

I am at the point where I must think of the 'team' first .. and if it were up to me NO pilot would fly that does not have a working team speak or that can't communicate properly on TS, that does not know left from right, that gets lost on the map constantly, can't follow orders, etc..

These are things to practice everyday. If you know you have a problem or are weak in any given area ... then work on it! I'm sure that any BSS member would help you solve a problem or improve even to the point of giving up fun time.

Have fun.. but, be serious when serious times are upon us. You owe it to the TEAM.

I read this post yesterday and considered whether to respond for a day or so.... You'll see why because... I have decided I would...

Good post T-Bar. Takes something to say sorry when your wrong, and you were wrong to use bad language, and wrong to single out the pilot.

I have two observations on my own, regretfully - passive, role in the events.

1. The bad language wasn't a random expletive released because you did something daft, or got unlucky etc. It was during and exchange, between you and the CO, that got a little heated rather quickly. It was uncomfortable to witness, especially prior to a match.

This is where I need to appologise to the squad. As XO, on reflection, I feel I should have angaged the two of you. T-Bar, I should have challenged you immediatley for the langauge, moreover I before this I should have stepped in and brought the converstaion between you and the CO to a very abrupt halt.

2. Your frustration over the take off routine built with each incident. After the second crash, we should have realised there's probably a technical problem here... and the pilot concerned should been instructed to simply wait and join the end of the take of stream. Not perfect but a small price to pay for a clean getaway.

Once again, on reflection I should have made a decision, or at least proposed the solution to the CO.

I am still learning my XO duties and responsibilities. Its great that this squad has some passionate members and passionate people often have strong characters.

So, going forward, BSS - here's the deal. It doesn't matter who you are, while I am your XO I'll engage assertively in any such future incidents or situations, I won't let the squad down again.

Burton.

Good reply Burton, but I don't really feel you owe any apology at all .. Only I did.

My post .. really has two subject in it, my apology .. and what we need to do as a TEAM .. serious attention, without loosing the fun.

Something you should know about me:

I am very strong willed

I am very opinionated

I am very dedicated

I love the squad and the pilots

I am a detail person

I am an organizational wiz kid

I am a time and motion expert

I like to do everything professionally as possible

I respect a chain of command

If you ask me my opinion .. I will give it and fight like hell for what I think is the right course of action. However, once a decision is made .. I follow it. Period.

Joker and I have a good relationship .. it is rare that we really disagree or have any type of argument... especially in public. Rare.

Also, I didn't get mad at the pilot involved until he laughed .. then I got mad because it was serious match time and made a big difference. However, also keep in mind .. the person I was mad at .. is a long time friend and that will never change. I will wing with him anytime.

I don't feel you let the squad down in any way .. but please .. do be assertive, it cant do any harm at all and can maybe help a lot

Very good gentlemen,

Yes Tbar and I have a good relationship, It may sometimes seem like little brothers fighting over a single toy, and others sometimes might see it as comical while it does seem vicious to others.

In my view I'm usually a very upbeat positive thinking person and I will try just about anything if I think it might have a chance at working.

I tend not to be a pessimistic person. I pretty much always see the "glass" as half full.

I am not a very opinionated person, but I too will fight when I think I'm right about something, even if it's wrong.

Also, on last Sunday's match I too was annoyed but the crashing taking place. I don't think it was a laughing matter. I do think that there must have been a reason for it. Some of you may recall that I asked Tango what Joystick he was using. Why?? Because Tango recently purchased a new joystick, and he told me that it was very hard for him to use because it has a very strong spring in it. This could of been the reason for the wide turns was my thinking. Unfortunately this was not the case and hes was using his old stick. So, it could be that the problem was in the "Axis" settings or some other settings with joy stick.

To avoid such problems in the future, people who are slow turning on the runway should enter the room first before the match starts! This way the will be at the back end and will take off in the last positions allowing the other planes to get off safely.

It is vital in this game that ALL pilots get off the runway safely. Any delay will get the crashed planes to be an early kill.

JoKeR