Ever notice Mr Nemo's signature?
I think that all pilots that sign up for AA should be required to run that signature until they are no longer 'cadets'. I would also suggest that all pilots should be required to take a course on "good conduct" before the game awards them ranks above a certain point. Of course this will never come about, but imagine the influence it might have.
I got thinking about all this about a year ago, and then recently again a few months back and again here recently while talking to Walrus75 on Team Speak. Why can't folks be nice .. its so easy to do. I always hear from 'older' pilots that AA used to be very nice and that pilots had a 'code' they went by and learned that code not from 'classes' or 'lectures' but by simply following the lead of other pilots. Respected pilots. Good examples, gee that is amazing eh?
The area of most concern where bad manners, rude and derogatory remarks are common and every dirty trick in the book is practiced is of course .. Free For All. How often have you heard a pilot say: "This is Free For All, live with it". Well there is truth in that, but does it really need to be that way? No, of course not. Pilots that really love this game should practice being 'nice' and good manners as well as just plain and simple good conduct.
How often in Free For All have your heard "Well he did it to me" as a justification for a runway or escape or other 'dirty trick'? I hear that frequently, and I'm sure you do as well. Didn't your momma or papa teach your some golden rules? Mine did. Did you ever hear this: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? Why is it that some seem to take that and turn it and twist that into: "Do unto others before they do unto you". So Sad.
I had a dream the other night.
I was flying in FFA and a pilot spawned behind me .. I didn't have to beg for a pass as the 'nice' pilots don't fire on a spawning aircraft, he simply ignored me, followed the 30 second rule longer than needed. I made note of that so I would be sure to return the 'salute'. After a brief dogfight I sustain damage and decided to land and repair. As I was taking off a kind pilot that was diving down and had me in his sights .. rocked his wings and rolled off. Once I got back to speed and reasonable alt and was involved in another dog fight. I lost
, spawned and looked for another target .. awww a cadet tag I see there. I rolled over and attacked .. ez kill. When the cadet pilot came back in via spawn I asked him if he was new and did he need some pointers. 'Naww", he said, "I'm just rusty, it's been a while". "Welcome back" I said and continued hunting. Upon my next engagement I had my hands full .. this pilot was much better than I was. We went turn for turn, loop for loop when he finally nailed me. "Good Kill" I said and smiled. He responded "Tks. You could use some work on your turns, that's where I got you".I had a nightmare the other night.
I was flying in FFA and a pilot spawned behind me and shot my butt down in a flash, I never saw him come in or had any idea he was there
I spawned and in a few minutes I was in a brief dog fight where I won, but sustained damage so I landed for repair. Upon take off I was immediately shot down, dern wheels were hardly off the ground.. shortly there after I found myself landing for repair again and before I started rolling .. I was runwayed. I spawned again .. and again immediately attacked and once shot down .. the victory pilot told the room I 'sucked' and was a terrible pilot, even suggested to others to engage me for an EZ kill Well I'm hard, that does not bother me so I re-spawn, look for a target . .and bingo there is my mark I get into a nice little battle .. and wow, I'm winning this one. I notice my opponent running for the AA, I'm close but not close enough, but he is and fires his guns so the AA takes him out ok, so be it I'll go find another to battle with.. which I do shortly. Again I'm winning .. but, ESC / crash / collide. You get the picture. I was also wondering how a true new pilot might conclude.. ..Which dream would you like to have?
Which dream do you think would keep more pilots in the air? It only takes one rotten apple, but humans are not apples and a good example can influence behavior. A good Co/Xo can influence his pilot core to set a good example not only for the squad, but for all AA pilots and love for the game in general. At times I wish there was a way to say to all: " its not important to be the best pilot in the air, what is important is to have fun .. and NOT ruin the fun for others". I could care less about being the best pilot and best record, what I do care about is my m8's and having fun with them. I do like to be nice as well as honest. I do want to play a game where that are nice folks to play with as well as feel a sense of "fair play".
Tbar;
Gunny / Semper Fi Top