The truth,once again,hurts.
As for civilian airlines hiring civilians of course they do.
However have you ever asked yourself why airlines base their operation on a military type structure with rank and respect?
The reason is that it works and the more ex-military employees a company has the better.
One of the problems at BA now is that there is a lack of respect for flight crew. This is mainly due to a shortage of people who have served their time for their Country and had it too easy in a liberal society without discipline or respect.
National service is sadly missed in our society. It would at least teach respect for ones betters.
LF