Air America Tech Support

[cphilip]

Well here... let me post some of the stuff for you:

Anyway, my first volley with Tech Support indicated promptly that Air America was hiring illegal immigrants to fill some empty tech support positions. This one used the alias of "Deb."


I EMailed them to see what's up. Eventually I got an EMail back from Ted, the (so-called) air smith. Scanning the first few lines of the email, I was put at comfort. "Finally!" I revelled, "A native!" I took it as a good omen.



Good news, guys. "Deb" wasn't deported. She was re-appropriated to the telephone aspect of Customer Service, perhaps for the ease of use a phone dial provides, as compared to a keyboard. She appears to have mastered the dialect of a central-U.S. anglo-saxxon, but she doesn't fool me. I still assertain that "Deb," if that is her real name, must still be an illegal immigrant, by virtue of grammar (more notably, lack thereof). She may even walk amongst us, undetected.


He's not racist is he?

[Mindflux]

Originally posted by cphilip

He's not racist is he?

I'd say not. He's glad Deb wasn't deported.

By the way, if wishing to speak/email someone with good comprehension and spelling skills makes you racist. Count me in.

When words like "anonymous" go miss-spelled I get this twitch.. it must make me racist.

[tony3]

I don't see how making "racist" comments makes a post worthless and full of lies as Phil was implying. I can honestly believe what this kid is saying. I have seen this happen with tons of companies, such as AKA, WGP, and WDP from stories on the forums. Bad experiences with companies happen...can we get over it already. Phil it seems that you are very loyal to AA and are sticking up for them like crazy, that is what I am getting from your posts. Maybe you just cannot bare to see them actually do something wrong*gasp*

[cphilip]

I didn't say it did. But it goes to credibility.

And to interject that into a entire "report" of his experience where it has no relevance is somewhat of a mystery to me. For instance the first thing he does is try and define Niggardly. Then it has no relevance at all. We all know that definitions change but for some reason he started out his whole story trying to change the perception of a word that has no relevance in this story. Why? If you want to know the true "meaning" of a word to the general population then do not go to the dictionary. Gather up a group of people and say it out loud and see their reaction. Right or wrong... that the "meaning" of it. Try and show them the dictionary while they beating you up. You can beat your head against the wall all day long but the "meaning" of something is what the majority take it to mean.

And as for relevance...Niether do the references to people with low command of english being the root of his problem. And then the assumption that people that do not have complete command of the english language must be illegal immigrants. And then the assumption that they must be incompetent if they cannot speak fliud english. And then the assumption that an Anglo Saxxon must BE competent just because he is Anglo.

All that indeed is a racist view and for some reason gets interjected into the whole thing with no basis in fact nor any point ever being made from it. That has nothing to do with wanting to speak to a person that can understand you. Thats sort of different issue. But in this case he clearly concludes and goes on to use the terms as a deragatory refference of racist nature. One can clearly see those things in the story. And its innapropriate. And speaks to his credibility from that point on.

That is where the credibility gap comes from. And thats the whole point of my comments. The details of what happened between him and AA sort of get detracted from because he cannot refrain from interjecting racism into his whole story. I cannot condone that as a reasonable explanation of their errors nor do I think its acceptable to make that accusation. Its not relevant at all. And if he chose to do that then I am dubious of his credibility. Thats what my issue is with this whole thing. Its the internet after all. Credibility is proven not assumed.

If you wanted to report something just exactly like what happened to him you could and should stick to the facts. So no one can then challenge your credibility. Like this...

"I sent my tank to AA because the fill nipple leaked. They sent it back unfixed. And tried to charge me for it. They straightened that out and then it still leaked. I sent it back. They then tried to charge me AGAIN! I finaly got it back again, same mistake, tried to charge me. They then STILL didn't fix it. And my local guy fixed it and it was just the fill nipple. etc...etc... "

Easy... brevity... precise... facts....

The rest is all hogwash and he knows it. He wrote it to impress. He wrote it to offend. He did not write it to be noble and report an issue. Or he would have refrained from embelishing it with his racist comments which he laced in there for effect. Thats how I see it. Plain and simple. Why not? if thats his intent is to relate his problem with AA then for gosh sakes just do it. Its only credible to me without the deragatory assumptions and smart arse interjections of racism attached.

And no I am not sticking up for AA. I currently do not own their products. But I have had dealings with them and personaly experience. I opened with the fact that I knew they could make mistakes. But I find the facts here clouded with other issues that makes me wonder seriously about the intent of the poster. And I have outlined them. Believe who you would like. I am not here to change your mind. If you chose to trust someone you don't know that thinks this way then by all means its your right to do so.

[DiRTyBuNNy]

and you didn't think I thought AGD was so retarded they needed a drool cup because of the deal I originally went through with my X-Mag? I know that it all came out well in the end but that does not take away from the frustration and ludicrousness of the situation.

Many companies in paintball (including AA) are forgetting something they used to tout as one of the benefits of their products: Customer Service! I don't know how many different paintball companies I've had to call over the past few years and gotten horrible customer service. Threatening to not buy a companies products means nothing to them anymore. Go ahead and try and call the Dye Factory and see what kind of service you get; I promise more often than not you'll get treated like a red-headed stepchild and you think they even care?

New School Paintball = New School Attitude = New School Customer Service!

[Zumina]

There are still a lot of paintball companies that know who keeps them in business. My recent dealings with Shocktech, Professional Paintball, ACI, and Worr Games have been very pleasurable.

[paint magnet]

Originally posted by Cphillip
All that indeed is a racist view

Personally, I don't care if he's a member of the Ku Klux Klan, that has nothing to do with the validity of his complaint.

My .02

[cphilip]

Originally posted by paint magnet


Personally, I don't care if he's a member of the Ku Klux Klan, that has nothing to do with the validity of his complaint.

My .02

It would surely make me think twice about believing them.... i.e. Taking his word for it. Thats all he asks us to do. Just believe him. So what is the validity of his complaint? Do you know how valid it is? Pray tell how did you determine that? What criteria did YOU use to determine that? I got as little as you do to go on. New member... new complaint. Just trying to sift through it and decide with what little there is. And thats all I got to go on is how he conducts himself. And I am not very comfortable at all with what I see as his conduct. Wish I had more but I don't. So Mr smarty pants what criteria do you use? Are you assuming that it's valid or not? You don't say.... You just seem to want to make some point but don't really end up doing so.

[cledford]

I hate to say it - but I've had 3 very bad (and back to back) experiences with Air America also. That's 3 for 3 and then I just gave up and started buying the parts and working on my stuff myself. Frankly, shipping to, from, and insurance just isn't worth it if you've got no confidence that the problem will be fixed when it gets back. I think AGD and AA are close (I know Tom's said that he gave them the unireg design to run with on their N2 systems) so it pains me to put out a bad word about them - but I've got to be honest. In my case the problems occurred back in the '99-00 time frame, so I cannot speak to how things are currently, but I can say that I was VERY surprised with my experience back then. I wish I could support my friend Cphil on this one - but from what I can say based on my own past experience is that this can happen when dealing with them.

I still use my AA Armageddon's (I own 2) so obviously I saw something in their stuff - but if I cannot recommend the systems to those who cannot tech their own gear.


!!!!EDIT!!!! I'm leaving this up because it goes to the main point of the thread - but I just went back and read the rest of the thread. I had no idea that the original poster was making racist statement! Cphil - git 'im!

-Calvin

[cphilip]

Now there is a guy I can trust! Because I know him. I know Calvin Ledford tells me like it is. I got no problem with that at all Calvin. I hear ya loud and clear. See the difference here is I know Calvin is straight and true and he doesnt mish mash other stuff into what he is telling me happened to him. I trust him completely to tell me what happened and with no extra drama. I get it Calvin. No need to feel like your going against me. As far as thats concerned I really have no position. I just want only facts. You stuck to them and gave em to me. No extra drama... just the facts man!

[Albinonewt]

I played all day and I'm tired. Let me just add this.

CPhil is right. It can be no other way.

nuff' said.

[cphilip]

LOL... now Newt... you know I am never totaly right. NEVER. but I always got these vibes that lead me astray. I just not got a warm fuzzy here and I dont know why is all. Its just something about the way it was presented is all. I cannot put my finger on it exactly. I starting to think its more all the drama that preceeded it more than the facts contained within that I would have needed to strain though a filter to glean out. Maybe thats it...

[MantisMag]

didn't you cut your hair phil? i thought the ability to feel "vibes" was directly tied to the long hair.

[Shykicker]

Originally posted by cphilip
Other mods? Whats that? Your sure of what? I have no idea what you are implying at all. I doubt you know.

I don't know how I could make that much simpler. Despite my exchanges with you, I still have high expectations for other mods.

Originally posted by cphilip
And you assume too much. I was not refering to Niggardly in my reference to your obvious racism. I was reffering to your constant use of references to "illegal immigrant" and "deported" and such.

Which makes me wonder why it was filled with racism "from the get go." That whole episode was several paragraphs in. Which leads me to believe that you either have trouble picking your words, or that you're squirming and backtracking on that accusation. Not that it matters which it is. It still goes towards your 'credibility.'

Originally posted by cphilip
Your glee at reaching finaly what you call "a Native. You go back to that theme time and time again. You refer to achievement of Anglo Saxxon language as a superiority and evidence of somehow intelligence. THAT is blatantly racist and if you dont get it then you are one.

I don't know where you got the superiority of anglo saxxons or their language from. Perhaps that conjecture says more about the reader than the writer.

As for wether a bias towards immigrants (or people who have the typing skills of one, for that matter) constitutes racism: this is an error. Being an alien of your resident country is entirely blind of race. If anything, it is perhaps a latent sense of nationalism. It's not a value judgement based on race, religion, or creed. And besides that, illegal immigrants are, well, illegal. So I'm not sure I'm required to reserve some profound degree of amnesty when I compare people's typing skills to theirs.

And because you completely missed it, "Deb" is infact an anglo-saxxon, who only types like an immigrant. Not exactly the person I'd hire to respond to my emails. I'll try to maintain the subtlety of a sledge hammer next time.

Originally posted by cphilip
Now, since you brought it up, one could argue that that niggardly is not offensive. But to some it indeed is. It in fact is a derisive term no matter who its aimed at and was indeed bastardized to apply to Blacks.

Actually, it's NOT bastardized "to apply to blacks." The "N word" comes from the Spanish word "negro" meaning black. NiggArd comes from the Scandinavian word "nig" meaning a stingy person. Not.. Rocket.. Science. As far as describing Air America's investment of time, resources, and professional skill towards my problem, I think the word "niggardly" suits them best. For that matter, I even explained my use of the word in the first category, linking the appropriate deffinition. I think I have all my bases covered, here.

Originally posted by cphilip
so no matter what you and I might want to use, such as a dictionary, it indeed was applied to a racist slur and became commonly recognised as such. And there is nothing we can do about that. Blame your forefathers if you want.

Again, no, and no. The blame lies in the present. You invented a word association, and now you're pretending it's correct. The two words: completely unrelated. Correlation, as they say, is not causation.

Originally posted by cphilip
But it was not my basis of calling you a racist. It was your other constant implying that all mistakes must be the result of hiring illegal immigrants i.e. Hispanics. Thats what set me off. And its a consistent theme in your diatribe. And its offensive.

Hey, wait a tic. You associate illegal immigration with hispanics, and that makes me a racist? I think the horse is on the wrong side of the carriage here. As for wether your preconceptions of my writing are offensive, you're the first one who's complained about it, or put a certian color skin on "Deb," for that matter.

Originally posted by cphilip
No reason to assume there is no lies in there? Sure there is! I have to suspect why it is you wanted to come here with that whole thing.

You think I came to AO to spread lies about Air America. And that's why I waited for someone to ASK about Air America. And that's why this is the first I've SAID here about Air America, and have been speaking, at length, about everything to the EXCLUSION of Air America until this thread.

You're... not a brain surgeon. Are you?

Originally posted by cphilip
And you offended and disrespected other nationalities right away in your story.

Y... yeah. I suppose the term "illegal immigrants" is pretty in line with "legal" immigrants and foriegn law students. I'm obviously just taking blows at lesser cultures , their funny atire, and their strange and primitive gods, or something stupid like that, right?

Now, back to reality, point out again where I dissrespected a nationality. Y'know, just kinda picked one out (the way you did) and just sort of... started poking at it with sticks.

I just think it's strange that I wrote that down, and somehow, I can't find it there today.

Originally posted by cphilip
I don't have to prove anything to you kid.

Feelings mutual, little guy.

Originally posted by cphilip
I know where your coming from with just the little I have seen of you.

Of course you do. We're all just sort of little pegs, and you've just gotta find the right hole for us. But, of course, I'm the prejudiced one. Riiight.

Originally posted by cphilip
But your on a different turf now. One where you better be 100% correct or someone is going to call you on it.

There you have it, folks. I am OBVIOUSLY the xenophobe here. Top knotch. I couldn't have made my point any better. My hat's off to you.

Originally posted by cphilip
So you got a problem with Bull Snot?

If I could see everything comming as far away as that, I'd never take a single paintball ever again. And speaking of BS...

Originally posted by cphilip
Now there is a guy I can trust! Because I know him. I know Calvin Ledford tells me like it is.

But of course, I'm still a liar, because you don't know me.

Hate to tell you, but that doesn't put me in a rush to get to 'know' you.

Originally posted by cphilip
For instance the first thing he does is try and define Niggardly. Then it has no relevance at all. We all know that definitions change but for some reason he started out his whole story trying to change the perception of a word that has no relevance in this story. Why?

And this belies your premise that the term "niggard" was NOT your motive to call me a racist.

But perhaps it was because the title of my thread was "Air America and You: A tale of lies, niggardry, and the pursuit of crappiness." You seem to be a little slow on the uptake of subtle literarry themes, so I'll spell it out. It rhymes with "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." You get a gold star if you can tell me where that comes from.

Originally posted by cphilip
If you want to know the true "meaning" of a word to the general population then do not go to the dictionary.

Oh, well that's obviously my first mistake. I'm using a dictionary. Silly me. I'm obviously the idiot here for using words to mean their documented deffinition, instead of their ever-changing social interpretations. As for your 'large group' theory, I posted it to an entire forum already, and got no response that I must be a racist. Your interpretation seems to be an isolated incident, so far.

Originally posted by cphilip
And as for relevance...Niether do the references to people with low command of english being the root of his problem.

If you don't mind, I wrote that review, and I don't think you have the intellectual rights to re-write what I've written, so please read from my original unabbridged version, instead of pretending that I said all of my problems stemmed from "Deb"s dubious command of the english language.

Originally posted by cphilip
And then the assumption that they must be incompetent if they cannot speak fliud english.

Your assumption...

Originally posted by cphilip
And then the assumption that an Anglo Saxxon must BE competent just because he is Anglo.

And your assumption again. Y'know, I begin to get the feeling that you're a closeted racist. You've made all these racist-sounding assumptions out of thin air, and now I'm responsible for them? I certainly hope not.

Originally posted by cphilip
The details of what happened between him and AA sort of get detracted from because he cannot refrain from interjecting racism into his whole story.

Actually, it sounds like the problem is that YOU cannot refrain from interjecting racist comments into my whole story.

But I am impressed with that imagination of yours. You could be a writer yourself. Just stick to the historical fiction, and you should be fine.

Originally posted by cphilip
The rest is all hogwash and he knows it. He wrote it to impress. He wrote it to offend. He did not write it to be noble and report an issue.

Tycho at Penny-Arcade might dissagree with you.


I'm still waiting on that apology. Monday you said? Monday it is!

[cphilip]

Still creative as ever I see. I call em like I see em. You can try and twist it back around on me all you want. But your efforts to demean and belittle upon racial lines (which was never central to your story and unnessicary embelishments) remain no mater how you want to explain them.... No ones going to take the blame for them but you.

Calling them today.