Originally Posted by
330Heavy
Pilots use to be cool
330,
I don't think the lack of socialization outside of work is a negative reflection on pilots as a group. The organization of the job isn't conducive to getting to know someone well enough to arrange non-work interactions.
In a large airline, in a large base and in a large category (airplane and base) you may fly with someone one time and they literally never so much as walk through your field of vision again; you just don't get to know them well enough in the time at work to know if they're socializing material. This doesn't mean you think they're not cool.
I flew with many very nice people but just didn't know them at all. In 31 years, I socialized with exactly two fellow pilots: one who built houses on the side and built the house where my wife and I lived for 30 years...and a F/O who was just a great guy ( and likely the sharpest pilot I ever shared a cockpit with). We just seemed to hit it off and he moved mountains to be the F/O on my retirement flight.
At least I picked two great ones to associate with outside work.