Every single pilot has at least one identity attribute that others can point at and say “you only got your job because of that”.
Gender or ethnicity, or maybe they went to an exclusive private school, or a flying school which was well connected. May have gotten help through their ex military mates or the guys they flew with in GA, might have been a cadet, might have had family connections. Might have been right place right time. Might have been the first one to submit an application, may have a surname starting with “A” and was the first one called. May have been drinking beer with the Chief Pilot at the time.
Trouble is when major carriers recruit the number of applicants usually vastly exceeds the number of positions available. Most people who apply are good people and would make a good fit. So recruiting staff sometimes have to be a bit brutal when they cut numbers down, and unfortunately some people who would’ve made fantastic pilots miss out for what they may perceive to be petty reasons. And sometimes they believe they were victims of others pushing an agenda.
From what I’ve heard (anecdotally) from those involved in airline recruitment (a few years ago when there was recruitment) is % of females who applied roughly matches the percentage of females who were offered a job.
Last edited by dr dre; 25th Mar 2021 at 02:55.