QSK?,
I would respectfully suggest that because one is made the head of an ATC organisation this does not make one an aviation professional. How would it. It's like saying the person who runs a hospital is necessarily therefore a medical specialist.
SM4 Pirate picked it like a nose. I was commenting about form and lamenting that Bernie has poor form as does Dick.
As for the private pilot bit...well it seems you might have something of a thing there, I've reread my post and it doesn't seem condescending to me. Is it because I don't think private pilots should have so much say in the airspace development in this country is the problem. Tough!
Sure you can be a private pilot and have a "professional" attitude about flying. Bravo! However, someone who is a private pilot, regardless of his/her hours, has neither the experience nor training to be an aviation professional.
If I want an opinion from an aviation professional I'll talk to one whose training, qualifications and experience enable them to have an aviation career. If I want an opinion from an enthusiastic amateur, then obviously I can talk to Dick or any other person whose hobby, that's right hobby, is aviation.
Sure Bernie is a private pilot, but his aviation expertise is as a private pilot and as a manager. His profession is management, his hobby is aviation. Shame he can't get this right.