I seems amazing that in 2001 we are even having this debate, I would have thought that by now it is not even an issue. It is quite correct that are very few women compared to men in airline flightdecks, there are I think two reasons for this.
Firstly it is only in the last 10-15 years that women have started to overcome the prejudice, built up over many years, that certain jobs are only suitable for men. As far as flying is concerned this has probably never been true but society takes a long time to change and to accept new ideas.
Secondly, it may be that flying is a job that not very many women WANT to do. We are different after all. There are lots of jobs that more women prefer to do than men and vice versa, nothing sexist about that, as I said we are different.
We have a lot of lady pilots in our company now and I really don't give it a second thought anymore. Some of the women I have flown with are first rate pilots in every way, most are very good and one or two are pretty poor. In other words EXACTLY the same as the cross section of male pilots, there is no difference.
So come on, the debate is over, women on the flightdeck are here to stay and quite right to. Lets just get on with the job!.
[ 15 July 2001: Message edited by: Max Angle ]