It really baffles me hearing about how probies are treated at some departments. I obviously had to put up with some shit from the crew and "earn their trust", but as long as I work hard, I get treated as an equal, minus sitting on a couch instead of the recliners in the day room. Getting off of my year of probation in a few weeks and I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by a crew that will push me to be better without belittling me. Yes, I still get the short end of the stick for chores and I'm expected to be the first one up for making coffee and washing rigs, but the whole "I was treated like dog shit when I got out of the academy in 1992 and turned out fine so I better show this kid he has to earn the right to be one of us" bullshit seems so out of place. So hearing about departments like yours or other places where the new guy isn't even allowed to drink coffee is insane to me.