I flew to Brussels and back yesterday and it occurred to me that I was now viewing the pilots as a possible threat for the first time.
So my thought process in the last 20 odd years has gone from:
- Admiration and considering trying to become a commercial pilot (got PPL etc).
- 9/11 happened and the job market was affected along with T&Cs eroded and working conditions negatively affected - I felt sympathy for pilots and glad that I didn't become one.
- Some suspicion.
How this will affect pilots in general (and their mental health) if public opinion turns from admiration to suspicion within a generation? Status is extremely important to many people, hopefully this won't result in any repeats.