Originally Posted by
Wizofoz
That actually makes my point- WHY did he keep it anonymous? It would have ben incredible press fodder had it become known. I also don't think there was much n the way of culture-slashing advancement in the idea of a white man becoming a pilot!!
He didn't. The only thing kept "secret", was if he really was on board on a specific flight for the passengers. In other, he would not be named.
But within KLM everybody with some knowledge about the operational side knew about him flying and if he flew he was present in the briefing area, walked the normal route to the airplane, etc.
It was not a secret within KLM and without.
It wasn't widely advertised though. Partly for security reasons and because the Dutch would sooner be jealous about it then proud. (As became clear when he transferred from the fokker 70 to the 737).