"Glorified bus drivers"
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I was once asked to wear my uniform to a relative's wedding. 
I refused, on the basis that it was'nt a "real uniform" (apart from which, I feel stupid enough wearing it for work).
I agree that an airline Captain is'nt a "real Captain". However, the uniform is a handy way to easily identify who answers all the questions, makes all of the decisions and carries the can if anything goes wrong. It's also part of the PR exercise and a tradition from way back....somewhere.
I hate it.
I refused, on the basis that it was'nt a "real uniform" (apart from which, I feel stupid enough wearing it for work).
I agree that an airline Captain is'nt a "real Captain". However, the uniform is a handy way to easily identify who answers all the questions, makes all of the decisions and carries the can if anything goes wrong. It's also part of the PR exercise and a tradition from way back....somewhere.
I hate it.
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Knave,
Poor justification. "Mr." is a title, "Captain", in the vocational sense, isn't. Without wishing to denigrate efforts involved in attaining your current job, none of it justifies the use of the "title".
Poor justification. "Mr." is a title, "Captain", in the vocational sense, isn't. Without wishing to denigrate efforts involved in attaining your current job, none of it justifies the use of the "title".
Last edited by Bus429; 17th Jul 2003 at 16:51.
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Anthony Carn - You do surprise me, for one who normally posts really funny/ witty responses I never thought I would see you say that an airline captain wasn't a real captain(sic) and then continue to say you hated it!
A brother-in-law once suggested that I wasn't a real Captain but the guy who brought a 300,000tonne tanker into Rotterdam was.
I pointed out that his Rotterdam friend would normally use a harbour pilot and probably made one approach to a difficult port in each six weeks on duty, no more than eight times a year. A B744 captain would definitely make at least four approaches each month, some quite difficult and without the help of an Harbour Pilot.
The accolade of captain, (it is a rank, not a title), has to be earned
Bus429 and whilst one is exercising the duties of the rank it is perfectly reasonable to be referred to as 'Captain', obviously it is not a form of address to be taken home or into retirement.
A brother-in-law once suggested that I wasn't a real Captain but the guy who brought a 300,000tonne tanker into Rotterdam was.
I pointed out that his Rotterdam friend would normally use a harbour pilot and probably made one approach to a difficult port in each six weeks on duty, no more than eight times a year. A B744 captain would definitely make at least four approaches each month, some quite difficult and without the help of an Harbour Pilot.
The accolade of captain, (it is a rank, not a title), has to be earned
Bus429 and whilst one is exercising the duties of the rank it is perfectly reasonable to be referred to as 'Captain', obviously it is not a form of address to be taken home or into retirement.
Last edited by G.Khan; 17th Jul 2003 at 19:39.
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Thanks! I have just read this thread and had a really good chuckle Anthony Carn, may I suggest Colin Bateman's novels to assist you on your quest for perfect cynicism? I use them regularly and find that they really do help
Bus429, I would prescribe the entire Fawlty Towers collection for you. Don't look for anything too deep there, but Mr. Cleese (real name Cheese) should be able to get a smile out of you. I hope. BTW I find the expression "GET A LIFE" a bit in my face. But true....
Captain G. Khan is of course quite right. However my wife does insist on screaming 'Captain...Captain!!' This can be embarrasing for me and does tend to wake the neighbours. Last night she used 'Major' and this has got me wondering....
I agree that bus and train drivers have got a lot of responsibility, but I have yet to see a double-decker in the LOREL hold.
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My first post about having captain on my letterheads etc was a joke. Being called captain of an RPT jobbie is the ultimate aim of any pilot, and when you get there, you get kind of territorial about it. I dont have 'captain' on my coffee mug.. I have a picture of Micky Mouse, to remind me where the industry is headed. Many pilots have lost out in wages, conditions, perks and company clout in recent years, and if we want to change jobs, we have to front up about 20 grand US for a type conversion. The job title is one of the few real things left we can take pride in.
Anyway, Ive a few weeks to go before I can genuinely call myself captain. Thats when I get a t shirt printed saying ' Thats CAPTAIN Knave to the likes of you sonny!'. On the back it'll say 'Im glad you spotted my deliberate error'.
Anyway, Ive a few weeks to go before I can genuinely call myself captain. Thats when I get a t shirt printed saying ' Thats CAPTAIN Knave to the likes of you sonny!'. On the back it'll say 'Im glad you spotted my deliberate error'.
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I have a brass sign saying "CAPTAIN" bought for me from one of those nautical tat shops that seem to be springing up in shopping centres. It has pride of place on the door of the smallest room in the house. I do feel a bit of a fraud as I sit there wallowing in my own self pride and importance, being as I have just a humble "F/O" on my letter heads.........
!!!!!!!
PP
!!!!!!!PP
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How about this? Recently, I've seen a couple of Ops Returns for flights operated by two vocational captains (one operating as a first officer). In both cases, the "F/O" name block had been scored through and the word "Captain" added! 
Instead of "Captain Bloggs", how about "Bloggs VC" (Vocational Captain)?
Instead of "Captain Bloggs", how about "Bloggs VC" (Vocational Captain)?
Last edited by Bus429; 18th Jul 2003 at 23:56.
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Bus 429 - completing the flight report in that way ensures correct allowances payments, does it not ? Maybe your outfit is different in this respect ; Is it ?
Great cost and rostering efficiency - operating TWO Commanders together. (NB the use of your terminology - Commander). Seems like there's more to worry about in some airlines than what to call the person responsible for a multi-million pound machine carrying lots of live human beings around at close to the speed of sound. Like saving money by flying Commanders with experience alongside cheaper ....err....Co-Commanders (?).
Getting lots of bites, are'nt you, Bus429 ? It's not as if the bait's anything special. Maybe I'm just feeling peckish.
Mmmm ! COMMANDER Carn. Commander Carn. Commander Carn.
Can't decide which I like best.
What do you recommend, Bus429 ? Dare I ask ?
Great cost and rostering efficiency - operating TWO Commanders together. (NB the use of your terminology - Commander). Seems like there's more to worry about in some airlines than what to call the person responsible for a multi-million pound machine carrying lots of live human beings around at close to the speed of sound. Like saving money by flying Commanders with experience alongside cheaper ....err....Co-Commanders (?).
Getting lots of bites, are'nt you, Bus429 ? It's not as if the bait's anything special. Maybe I'm just feeling peckish.
Mmmm ! COMMANDER Carn. Commander Carn. Commander Carn.
Can't decide which I like best.
What do you recommend, Bus429 ? Dare I ask ?
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Anthony,
To be fair, I think the flights related to some sort of line training.
With regard to the number of bites, it's a gift. A few years ago I raised a similar post and was subject to considerable vitriol. Some took it in the spirit intended (bring back ykickamoocow) - others didn't.
Previous posts featured gems like: "Why can't pilots add (aircraft hours)?" & "Why are pilots so tight?"
Jet Blast is perhaps the more appropriate forum for this sort of stuff.
To be fair, I think the flights related to some sort of line training.
With regard to the number of bites, it's a gift. A few years ago I raised a similar post and was subject to considerable vitriol. Some took it in the spirit intended (bring back ykickamoocow) - others didn't.
Previous posts featured gems like: "Why can't pilots add (aircraft hours)?" & "Why are pilots so tight?"
Jet Blast is perhaps the more appropriate forum for this sort of stuff.
Last edited by Bus429; 19th Jul 2003 at 15:21.
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Slingsby,
Not tetchy at all. I've been away from the Abode of Peace (Land of Hidden Treasures) for over a year. Finished with the Holy Land, too. Now in Scandinavia, where the current temperatures are close to those of Brunei - another 5 weeks and winter will be back!
BTW, could you kindly email or send me a private message? I suspect I know who you are - you definitely know my identity!
Not tetchy at all. I've been away from the Abode of Peace (Land of Hidden Treasures) for over a year. Finished with the Holy Land, too. Now in Scandinavia, where the current temperatures are close to those of Brunei - another 5 weeks and winter will be back!
BTW, could you kindly email or send me a private message? I suspect I know who you are - you definitely know my identity!
Last edited by Bus429; 21st Jul 2003 at 00:47.
