A question from a lurker

"Judah" wrote in message
. ..
"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in
ups.com:

I am glad you started your post with "I have the greatest respect for
pilots". That is exactly the right thing to say if you want help from
us. This is where Mxsmaniac failed. He never told us that we were
special people.

I think you are creating a wrong impression here. From my observations of
your postings in the past, I don't believe it is intentional.

It's not necessary for a non-pilot to announce that he has respect for
pilots before we will answer his questions. The problem is not that Manic
didn't tell us we are special, the problem is that he specifically
disrespects pilots as a group (in a manner that sometimes reminds me of a
racial bigot), and frequently belittles anyone who tries to assist him in
answering his questions.

I should admit that I do in fact believe that I am unique and special. I
believe nearly all people in the world are unique and special. Learning to
fly an airplane safely and demonstrating it to the point that my
government
acknowledges it is certainly an accomplishment that I am proud of. But I
have achieved many accomplishments in my life for which I am proud, and
even some for which I am not. No single success or failure in itself
defines me as unique and special. It is all of my traits and experiences
that make me unique and special, and that have allowed me to accomplish
the
specific feats that I have and will during my lifetime.

So while I certainly appreciate it when someone else expresses it,
admiration of me is not a prerequisite for me offering respect and
courtesy
to another, especially to someone who genuinely wants my advice or help.
Perhaps I am unusually altruistic, but I don't think so. Usenet is defined
by people who would seem to behave the same way.

OTOH, some people are insecure about their being unique and special. So
they put down someone else's accomplishments in order to make their own
seem "better". I believe Manic falls into this category. And I believe
some
of the people who treat Manic badly do too. Others are treating Manic that
way because they feel it is the only way to protect the friendly R.A.P.
atmosphere that they value. They do not realize that the unfortunate
result
is that they are perpetuating some of the myths that Manic is attempting
to
spread. It's not completely their fault - they just can't see clearly.

But the OP should not assume that the ugly Manic threads are
representative
of pilot's attitudes toward non-pilots in general. I don't know any pilots
who wouldn't gladly give a non-pilot stranger who expressed interest a
tour
of their aircraft. Even those who might not offer a ride because of the
liability fears would at least be willing to show how the plane works on
the ground, and encourage the person to get a low-cost intro flight and
"catch the bug".

We tried to do that for Manic, and he essentially spat in our faces and
told us we are elitist snobs who don't know anything about flying. Many
have not reacted well, and Manic is an expert instigator.

But it's not the typical RAP conversation.

Good job, and very well put.

I have had a good bit of experience on the Usenet in a number of different
groups, and never had to _stroke_ anyone, anywhere, to gather a lot of
really good information. And my experience here on RAP has certainly been no
different.

I have seen so many productive threads here, with no regard for who was or
was not actually a pilot, that I refuse to believe 95% of the PILOTS here
even care. The only time actual experience it questioned, is when someone
continues to pass out bad information or opinion, and Anthony insists on
doing both. As well as deliberately trying to irritate people that try to
help him in the mean time. Simply because they have to disagree with his
limited understanding of aviation beyond the limits of simulation.