Comfortable with an employer knowing your Avcanada persona?

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:56 am

Hopefully my employer has better things to do than come into this mudhole and try to sleuth out mine, or anybody else's identity. I'm glad to remain semi-anonymous. Like most people, I'm probably pretty easy to figure out if you already know me, but to the vast majority, Dockjock is just some slightly cranky conservative redneck narcissist whose opinions have little to no bearing on their everyday lives.

Semi anonymity to me is like everyone is here after having drank 4 beers- a bit less PC, a bit more honest, and slightly regretful after reading what they've written a couple of days later. To me, this is much more interesting way to debate than the ultra-PC, "I'm sorry/you're sorry" social bullcrap that passes for conversation in society today. Sure you gotta weed out a bit (or a lot) of total nonsense, but that's part of the fun.

Apache64_ · Post by **Apache64_** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:45 am

Must admit, I have been avoiding posting these days because most topics do go down into the gutter. Though I still lurk around.

Cheers

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:47 am

Everyone here knows who I am (and probably wishes they didn't)

People who hide behind anonymous userids usually have something to hide. IMHO, their opinions are almost always worthless - generally they have a complete lack of knowledge, skill and qualifications. If you met them in person you would laugh and walk away.

I might add that it isn't just employers who read what's posted here. Enforcement is in the habit of acting on what they read here. Beware.

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:34 am

It would be nice to see more activity in the known user forum

red003 · Post by **red003** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:53 pm

i am a happy camper. i don't say much but i read lots...and consider this: i keep my nose clean here as well as at work. goes a long way. might go a long way for some others, too.

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:19 pm

It would be nice to see more activity in the known user forum

Hear, hear! To bad that we have to go through the hassle of creating a new userid to post there...

happily.retired · Post by **happily.retired** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:29 pm

Annonimity can be very valuable when we're new to this industry. When I first started I created a new user to ask if I was being screwed over by my employers, who regularily posted on here. It might be easy to be known when you give advice or are a known quantity, but for the rookies looking for good advice sometimes you don't want people to know that you've got concerns untill you are ready and informed enough to do something about it.

wrenchturner · Post by **wrenchturner** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:57 am

I was going to not post on this thread, but due to the crap going on in another thread... http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... sc&start=0 I decided to put my two cents in. Like another reply I saw, I have been avoiding posting recently due to the amount of mud slinging and bitching and attacking going on lately. Joe and the mods obviously try to keep things in line, and when they try to reel things in, they are basically labelled as dictators who are trying to keep people from expressing their opinions. Maybe people should take a minute to think what it means to be a professional. Maybe instead of bitching that you aren't treated as a professional, try acting like one. Kudos to Airtids for bringing this issue to light.

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:10 am

. wrote:Im completly open to people knowing who I am, heres a photo of me and some intructors buddies, I was chilling with on the weekend.

I didn't know Osama liked beer and Keith Haring. Cool! Me too!

I like to stay semi-anonymous. If someone wants to read through my past posts to figure out who I am, big deal. I don't have much to hide, and anything I do have to hide, I don't post on AvCanada.

I have posted here under another name before. I think it was King Troll or something. I was trying a blatant troll attempt which failed. Well, no. I think I got a few bites, but I think they were just playing along.

Has any employer here seen anyone put their AvHandle on a resume?

-istp

Boss Hawg · Post by **Boss Hawg** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:30 am

TheCheez wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people maintained 2 or more accounts one which people might know their identity and one carefully kept anonymous to say and do as they please.

Isn't having multiple accounts was against the rules? I thought people had been banned for that in the past. Could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

There's some other forums I read where everybody posts openly, and it's much more civil. But not as lively either - deep down inside maybe we like coming here because of the debates being anonymous allows. But because of the nature of this forum there are certain advantages to remaining anonymous which have already been mentioned - keeping Enforcement off your back or researching another employer if you are thinking of jumping ship come to mind.

That said, there are lots of people on here who know who I am, probably more than I'm aware of, so I keep that in mind when posting and be able to back up what I say. Others who know me could figure it out pretty easily if they wanted to but I'll leave it to them to connect the dots. And if you didn't know me why would you care anyway?

It's interesting to think about from an employer or manager's perspective though. If you knew who somebody was here you could potentially learn a bit about them before you hired them. Could you learn enough that it would influence your decision?

What if you hired someone or they already worked for you, then found out who they were here. Assuming it was all good it wouldn't matter but with all the slagging that goes on it makes me wonder if anybody has ever attracted the boss' wrath, been disciplined or fired because of what they wrote? Would that even be legal?

And are company brass comfortable with their employees knowing who THEY are? Seems like some are at least. Are there any situations that would make you think twice about posting here? Say you were looking for advice on a business decision that could affect your employees - ie dropping a type from the fleet or some such thing - would you be comfortable asking for opinions here? (I would guess that there are better ways to make those kinds of choices).

Johnny Ryall · Post by **Johnny Ryall** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:37 am

Louis wrote: So its a given I don't mind employers knowing I post here and under what name.

just too bad you don't have one...
sorry couldn't resist.
actually they might hire you if they read your posts....

MCA · Post by **MCA** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:47 am

just curious wrote:My employer does.

guys, why would you tell your employer who you are on this forum? can't understand... what is the point?

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:00 pm

There is another reason - I am a representative for my employer when I say anything about aviation and in order to avoid conflicts between what they want me to say in public and what I think I should say in public means I must stay anonymous. If I ever quit working for 'em, which I doubt, I will expose myself to all of you!

Fox 3 · Post by **Fox 3** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:05 pm

I guarantee if someone wanted to know who I was they could easily figure it out...I post the job openings in the employment section

My boss knows I'm on here, and could just as easily figure out who I am...speaking of which I better get back to work!

~FOX~

trey kule · Post by **trey kule** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:28 pm

First of all, would I mention this in a resume? No.

As to my employer knowing. In out company we are about 50% Canadian and not living in Canada Everyone knows everyone and we all gather around and discuss the posts. Plan the replies etc. It makes it feel like we are in touch. And despite the anoymity, personalities do come through. I dont need peoples real names to decide whether I enjoy their wit , intellect, or crabbiness. It is after all a place where we should be able to freely express opinion and anoymity does help. As someone else mentioned, particularily when it comes to TC discussions, names could be a problem.The downside to this , of course, is that some people hide behind it to be crude, stupid, and generally ignorant.
But that is what makes it what it is. We could do a lot worse than waste our time here.

My thoughts

Rudder Bug · Post by **Rudder Bug** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:30 pm

One of my old postings has cost me a job lately.

A stupid ( I now realize) joke, or allusion of mine has been taken seriously by a member who could access my resume, and he subsequently used it againt me.

I was told to forget about the job and that my resume had been trashed, and believe it or not, with an hyperlink to my posting. This took place right here on this forum, all publicly. True story.

That guy was posting like if he was the one hiring and firing for his new employer. However, he might at least be in a position where he can suggest his boss who to hire or not, as they are trying to put a good team together.

Of course I found out who he is and from that, I sometimes wonder what should I do but there is nothing to do, it's too late. My posting had a very negative and costly effect.

Checking further into his pedigree, I saw he was offered the position in the same time frame than me and had about one third of my relevant experience. This "spoke volumes" as he liked to say himself.

It comes to a point we see all over this industry, there is always one to stab you in order to get your job.

Posting here can sometimes, for some people, result in the same losses or gains than talking live in your working environment.

In closing, after a bit of thinking, I gained more than I lost from that experience though, as I know for sure I would never want to work with such a person and the job in question is not as great as it seems.

"Revenge is like eating a cold meal". I don't like eating cold.

Hope this can help some of you.

RB

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:39 pm

That is truly a sad situation R.B.

But in the end things usually even out.

Rudder Bug · Post by **Rudder Bug** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:44 pm

I know ., I have made the point with it and am now comfortable talking about it. This story is over with me and it and I'm happy it took place with big learning, and not only for me!

Airtids started this thread right in time did he?

Cheers

Johnny Ryall · Post by **Johnny Ryall** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:19 pm

"Would you put your Avcanada 'handle' on your resume?"

now: is anyone here looser enough to do such a thing?

like if we care about that... come on... did anybody answered Yes to that?

"i was trained at this school , i've got this number of hours, and i post on avcanada, my name is johnny Ryall. go read my post."

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:52 pm

By posting and using my real name it gives those whom I make allegations of being morally corrupt in Canadas Federal Regulator the opportunity of defending themselves if they feel I am unlawfully libleing them.

In other words it gives credibility to what I say.

Notice how they never ever deny these allegations.

Johnny Ryall · Post by **Johnny Ryall** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:31 pm

Cat Driver wrote: Notice how they never ever deny these allegations.

maybe they never ever read your posts...

Johnny Ryall · Post by **Johnny Ryall** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:31 pm

edited

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:49 pm

"maybe they never ever read your posts..."

Yeh that is possible, but how to you account for Ms. Sauve answering my e-mail asking for links as to where to read them?

Johnny Ryall · Post by **Johnny Ryall** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:02 pm

Cat Driver wrote: Yeh that is possible, but how to you account for Ms. Sauve answering my e-mail asking for links as to where to read them?

who's this person and why would she want to read them?
and what was that famous email about?

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:08 pm

Johnny if you don't understand the issue why are you commenting on something you haven't got a clue about?