Bad Transport POs

[Ttly]

I would like to say that as any combat role, that one of the problems I have is chief among them includes bad transport POs, one that only launches when "they got permission" instead of as often as possible, do they have any idea how much it could help if the Alamo goes back and forth every thirty seconds instead of every four minutes?

Now I know that playing transport PO is the most boring and unthankful job ever, since at most you just bring people that can't walk into the DS, report the status of the LZ, or just loot dead marines, all while waiting for the engines too cool down; mess with your cockpit consoles, but these horrible POs seems to only have sitting in the cockpit in their mind without even actually doing anything, it's quite baffling.

[Grubstank]

I think it's because POs are almost exclusively players who are new to that job -- especially transport POs. Even though the difference between a good and bad transport PO is night and day (especially when it comes to the lockdown button), you very rarely see players returning to the role. Anyone determined to play the role well will feel bored within a few rounds due to the limited gameplay.

That's not to say experienced players don't play PO; just that it's less common, and they usually jump on the CAS instead of the transport.

If we get more skill-intensive dropships (such as those that move across the map directly) then I expect good POs will stick around longer.

[DefinitelyAlone0309]

You have to understand that there's almost no one that calls themselves a PO main, because the job itself is boring as fuck. The good POs will automatically launch as soon as possible, making quick trips, and will actually lock their hatches upon landing.

But that's the thing. Sure, they can be good. But why play PO when they have so many other things to play that won't be so damn boring ?

[AmazinglyAmazing]

Another issue is that if anyone plays PO, they will usually gun for CAS, which results in them spamming (okay maybe not spamming but still) comms claiming CAS. CAS is slightly more entertaining since you have the chance to gun, CASEVAC, and in general do more than just fly from the Almayer to the battlefield, and to eventually get yelled at for losing the DS. Not many people WANT to do transport.

[Lorem123]

PO is just an incredibly boring job. Most people that know the job well drop it after like 5-6 rounds because it's not fun. You just stare at the dropship the entire round.

[Renomaki]

PO is a boring job, but a needed job.

Back in my day, we didn't have POs, we had MPs fly the ships when there was nothing to do. And if no MPs were available, the command staff had to juggle launching the ship, which wasn't easy when you have to deal with so much other shit.

POs are a necessary asset to ensure the dropships move on time, although their idea of "on time" varies. Some of them would spend 5 minutes waiting for wounded to be loaded, while others will launch as soon as they recharge and keep a constant flow going. As much as the latter is preferred, sometimes you have to slow down to ensure wounded are all on board, since nothing sucks more than losing a leg and failing to reach your flight on time because of it, forcing you to wait for nearly 6 minutes for it to return, IF it returns that soon.

Of course, PO is only boring if you let it be boring. Keeping your hands busy when you can is better than just sitting around in the cockpit doing nothing. I always like to check up on the wounded when I'm hauling them up to ensure they are stable, for instance.

[Retrokinesis]

I'll start by saying that I am one of the crazy people who both finds playing PO fun and vastly prefers running transport to CAS/medevac. I also consider myself to be fairly good at it, though I don't roll for it often; I mainly only play PO during lowpop, because I feel three POs is of dubious use at best and four is actively harmful.

PO is a very chill role and I play it when I'm looking to just hang around and not do anything super serious, often after a stressful round. It's great for sitting in the cockpit with some tea and a candy bar, bothering medical or req or the FOB squad over comms while still being useful. I'm always happy when the other POs rush for CAS immediately because they often end up sitting there doing nothing except desperately reminding people that CAS and medevac are available while I ensure people and supplies get to and from the FOB like clockwork. It's not typical excitement, or the kind of thing I want every single round, but there's a certain zen satisfaction to it? Especially when you get some good RP in.

As noted, it's also a role where skill can really make a difference. The lockdown button is important. Keeping squad comms on so you know if someone is hobbling around the LZ waiting for you is important. Telling medical they have patients coming up and dragging any who can't walk there is important. Holding for as many marines as possible rather than launching the second you see a xeno during the evac is important. Having someone launch the transport DS remotely every time just doesn't compare to a good transport PO, even if command is actually on top of it for once.

[Royal Griffon]

I'm the launch whenever is ready PO
Basically when I'm a PO
Don't fucking touch the launch button unless I say so and if I ever do
FUCKING LAUNCH THAT BITCH
I've main'ed PO
I know how xenos can't get in to kill you if you lockdown and I'm good at people out during evacs or calling evacs
As a transport PO you are the command eyes on the FoB for say..LV and Ice and will have to officially call evacs and I've called evacs a minute before the COs half the time
You gotta play smart
But it's a relaxed role overall

[RunAwayScientist]

Haters.

Just pizza the marines every flight. Never gets old.

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That's right, Retro, for some reason >3 pilots means that one of them is bald. Both Tal Ravis, Jack Knight, and myself have made the horrible, god awful mistake of turning over primary duties to an absolutely green PO because we were chasing hotel oscar tango redheads lazy bastards. The results are horrifying, to say the least.

Vet POs need to check other POs for baldness directly.


One more thing POs can do: Deliver supplies directly from req to either A. The Tank or B. The Squad or C. The FoB ; saves an SB for simple stuff. Nobody else gets the radio message that the tank needs supplies, anyway. Don't die.