Why is "Captain" always used in the UK ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Auckland, New Zealand
Why is "Captain" always used in the UK ?
This is just a post out of curiosity. Those that know me know I travel a LOT - and always wondered why its primarily the UK that helicopter pilots use the word Captain.
Not taking anything away from the profession or the heartache everyone has gone through to get the bars - just was curious as in nearly all other countries never really run across it.
Cheers
Ned
Not taking anything away from the profession or the heartache everyone has gone through to get the bars - just was curious as in nearly all other countries never really run across it.
Cheers
Ned
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
The UK still has a "class struggle" society. Pilot's apparently are "Technical Middle Class" somewhere in between but not including Chavs and Hooray Henry's (mostly).
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: DM33
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: canada
As a Canadian PPL, I believe I am entitled to purchase either gold or silver bars since, if I have non-paying pax aboard, I am still legally responsible responsible for them. For the record, I have never bought the boards or referred to myself as Cpt., but it's nice to know I could!! 
Joined: Sep 2023
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From: Montana
This is just a post out of curiosity. Those that know me know I travel a LOT - and always wondered why its primarily the UK that helicopter pilots use the word Captain.
Not taking anything away from the profession or the heartache everyone has gone through to get the bars - just was curious as in nearly all other countries never really run across it.
Cheers
Ned
Not taking anything away from the profession or the heartache everyone has gone through to get the bars - just was curious as in nearly all other countries never really run across it.
Cheers
Ned
Joined: Sep 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 884
Likes: 233
From: by the seaside
As RVDT says it’s the old brit class snobbery bullsh!t. The retired Big airlines site uses it all of the time.
When I was a youngster the retired Pongos would be quoted as they were captains which was a commission awarded by the Sovereign and entitled to use it - not a job title.
Some even had it listed in the telephone directory; to me even worse than thinking I would be impressed because they had mastered the handshake.
A sign of self importance.
Mind you my second look see on the VC10 was to Bermuda, the skipper’s previous trip was at the end of the public school term and had a cockpit visit from a sixth former who invited him to dinner with mummy and daddy. After dinner she drove him back to the crew hotel in daddy’s Jaguar and insisted on a visit to his suite (good old days). One thing led to another and whilst he was being a very lucky man she called out F@@k me captain repeatedly…rank has it’s privilege even if it’s a job title.
In hindsight I’ve missed out, have to have some new stationery printed.
When I was a youngster the retired Pongos would be quoted as they were captains which was a commission awarded by the Sovereign and entitled to use it - not a job title.
Some even had it listed in the telephone directory; to me even worse than thinking I would be impressed because they had mastered the handshake.
A sign of self importance.
Mind you my second look see on the VC10 was to Bermuda, the skipper’s previous trip was at the end of the public school term and had a cockpit visit from a sixth former who invited him to dinner with mummy and daddy. After dinner she drove him back to the crew hotel in daddy’s Jaguar and insisted on a visit to his suite (good old days). One thing led to another and whilst he was being a very lucky man she called out F@@k me captain repeatedly…rank has it’s privilege even if it’s a job title.
In hindsight I’ve missed out, have to have some new stationery printed.
Joined: Aug 2000
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Brit snobbery, what utter bull!!!!, it is a term for who is in charge of the "ship" Hence for our relations on the other side of the bond why "The Captain "of the Exon Valdiz was prosecuted for dereliction of duty in the biggest oil pollution incident in history. You will be telling me next that " first officer " is a Brit snobbery term as well.
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: A very long way North
When I was a member of BALPA I couldn’t for the life of me get them to stop addressing letters to Captain PCD instead of just Mr.
It’s a job title not a rank. Wouldn’t get letters addressed to Director Smith or Head of HR Jones.
It’s a job title not a rank. Wouldn’t get letters addressed to Director Smith or Head of HR Jones.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
As I was never in the Army, I preferred the RAF equivalent, ie Flight Lieutenant. 
But tbh, most crewmen called us “Skipper”.
But tbh, most crewmen called us “Skipper”.
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: SW England
I'm with Mr PCD here - only ever used Captain if - during police, HEMS or powerline inspection work - the situation had changed in a way that urgently needed the crew's attention. BALPA, who were the original chocolate teapot in the helicopter business context, just would not change their ways.
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Central UK
The obsession with class snobbery exhibited here is by the bitter and twisted ones who ridicule the use of the term on the basis of their own class (inverse) snobbery. Sad how such mindless bigotry prevails among some. It is merely a job title, and conflating it with class is really rather sad.
The term Captain is simply the correct and respectful (aka polite) form of address in this case. Captains do not have to use it themselves and in my experience few do unless, as mentioned earlier, it is useful in smoothing the way in places where gold bars and uniforms smoopth one's passage.
In many places in Europe even the skipper of a small yacht is referred to as Captain by the authorities; customs and immigration officers, coastguard and marina staff. Is that "class struggle" related too ffs?
The term Captain is simply the correct and respectful (aka polite) form of address in this case. Captains do not have to use it themselves and in my experience few do unless, as mentioned earlier, it is useful in smoothing the way in places where gold bars and uniforms smoopth one's passage.
In many places in Europe even the skipper of a small yacht is referred to as Captain by the authorities; customs and immigration officers, coastguard and marina staff. Is that "class struggle" related too ffs?
