schlimmI might note that most of you do not use your actual names, either. That sounds no alarms or whistles because I do understand how some employers operate. If I worked for your railroads, given the current emphasis on the short term buck and the weakness of your unions, I would be cautious as well.
It's a common practice on forums of all sorts, and by folks of all sorts. You'll find darn few real names on any forum. Some may do so to "hide," as you suggest. I think a majority, however, use their "screen name" to highlight some interest of theirs, be it a certain locomotive, a railroad, a place, an interest, or some combination of those, at least in the case of denizens of these forums. Mookie, Mudchicken, Csshegewich, Eolafan, Bluestreak1, MP173, NKPGuy, Zardoz, and CopcarSS all come to mind here. One fellow on a local forum here goes by "John Q. Public."
I would suggest that those who like to stir the pot are more likely to "hide" behind a screen name.
But it's not just a case of "hiding" one's identity. Most forum members here aren't any more specific as to their location than their state, or maybe city - if it's of any size. That anonymity serves as protection against any wingnuts who might decide to take physical exception to something someone posts here.
Your point about possible repercussions from employers is valid, and has a legal basis. One topic that comes up all too often in the fire service is "suicide by social media," wherein someone makes a less-than-flattering statement or provides confidential information about their agency/employer on social media. People have lost their jobs because of it. In most cases, they have made no secret of their affiliation, oftimes posting pictures of themselves in firefighting garb and of their agency as part of their profile, potentially suggesting that they were speaking at least somewhat officially for that agency.
As for me (engineer and conductor for a tourist railroad, but a member of the forum since before I got on the railroad), "Tree68" has been a trademark of mine for well over 45 years. I see no reason to change. Some folks have learned my real name, and even where I live, via PM.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
As Ulrich says 2 in 52 years. My average has been about the same. 1 in 40 years. Not very good, yet those who think they are the good ones are probably the MBA type that comes out on a "Fact Finding". What a joke.
Dick
I don't know Schlimm.. I don't know if he's a professional kick boxer, an English prof, or just a lonely old man in a walker who is trying to reach out. I would assume the latter and adjust the tone of my critique accordingly. He said some things that others didn't like...let's move on. .
Murray zugmann You forgot me on that list! He forgot RRKen too.
zugmann You forgot me on that list!
You forgot me on that list!
He forgot RRKen too.
I will not loose sleep over the Perfessor forgetting, quite unremarkable as I am.
RRKen Murray zugmann You forgot me on that list! He forgot RRKen too. I will not loose sleep over the Perfessor forgetting, quite unremarkable as I am.
What Ken meant to say was.........
Murray RRKen I will not loose sleep over the Perfessor forgetting, quite unremarkable as I am. What Ken meant to say was.........
RRKen I will not loose sleep over the Perfessor forgetting, quite unremarkable as I am.
It isn't what I meant to say, but how I meant to say it.
"Pathetic harmless victims left to die, rancid angle of death flying free."
Jeff Henneman
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