Have learned that it's not so much about what we say, but what we do: Girls must be present and actively participate, in automotive environments as well as aviation. Eventually (in another hundred years?) boys grow used to dealing with them. Seen this work during my 30 years in aviation. So there IS hope. Stay tuned.
But the threshold for girls is still quite high, as expressed by your young neighbour. Thus in the 21st century we still negotiate "girlie things" as opposed to "man things". Visit a toystore and have a nightmare!!! The male mystery to me is why most guys (i.e. the macho % of the species) can't accept and include a gal hovering around the airport and clearly showing interest. (Of course, if she's young and pretty, they'd like her to giggle and applaude their manly activities. If she's old or ugly, they'll ignore her even if she knows more about flying than some of them.) Life on the far side.
Considering EC's contribution, females have proved they make good controllers. Women are able to use both halves of the brain simultaneously (how else is wifey able to get the job done around whining kids and spouse demanding sustenance and clean socks?). Science claims that female brains are interconnected, while men use only one half at a time (able to read the paper while kids scream for assistance). What a blessing it must be. Wonder where they dig up the required "simultaneous capacity" for airline tests? Proving they can if they want to, but their priorities are obviously limited.
lod – thanks for numbers on Ryanair. Still curious regarding post from "Ms. Turret" from oz (page 6 bottom) about this alleged pilot daughter of a former chief pilot who "stormed off an aircraft down route some day" due to "sexual harassment". What woman could get her licenses sporting such attitude? "Cry-babes" would have given up long before they made it to the pointy end of an airliner. Did ask for hard facts abut the alleged "incident", if it ever happened, but the silence has been deafening. Maybe Ryanair pilots are too busy flying the line to waste spare time online? Wouldn't know.
Y'all have a happy New Year!!! Fly low and slow so ya don't hurt yourselves…
