I do agree that there are supervisors and managers that abuse their authority. But a lot of it is perception. Sometimes things just don't go your way and the assumption is that the boss screwed you just because he's an a**hole.

I was a supervisor for several years on the Md-80 and the C-17 at McDonnell Douglas. Sometimes in conflict or just for production purposes, a management decision is made that will just piss off a crew to no end. usually the decision comes from higher up. Sometimes you just can't satisfy everyone or anyone. Some supervisors can handle it and some can't. The first line supervisor always takes the brunt of the blame.

Having said that, there are few supervisors that I have worked for over the years that I would like to get my hands on.

Doesn't get mine because I have one of the world's greatest bosses. She is fair with everyone, which is a very rare thing to see. In a lot of jobs, you'll see where supervisors really do abuse their power.

I never abused my position when in charge of little Jarheads. Abusing power sucks, especially because there are so many nasty ways to use it legitimately!

when they take their personal problems in to the workplace and use those emotions when dealing with employees.

Usually, it doesn't bother me; some may take advantage and leave a little early on some days, or do other little things that don't really affect anyone else. When their selfishness adds to the workload of others, though, that pisses me off a bit.