How are pilots perceived around the world?

[scouser47]

The only thing that separates cabin crew from the lowest form of life? The flight-deck door.

[perantau]

When I flew the 747s, I'd say I drove an 18-wheeler. On the 777, I'd say I drove a couple of Rolls...

[back to Boeing]

I work in the pressurised aluminium tubing industry.

[Sidestick_n_Rudder]

From what I’ve seen around the world:

South of Europe - ie. France, Spain, Italy - a lot of respect and status.

The further north you go, the less respect. Didn’t know it’s so bad in Sweden, but recently heard the Swedes are now ‘ashamed of flying’, due to environmental concerns, so I kind of see they do not love pilots.

Eastern Europe - quite bit of respect, Especially among LCC/holiday charter PAX. Legacy pax are less ave struck.

India - rock star status, you gotta see it to believe it...

[Twiglet1]

MD of a previous Airline Airtours (UK) called Pilots "glorified bus drivers" to a bunch of Base Captains. Lost respect of the Pilot workforce thereafter. He was a Wayne Kerr.

[SeenItAll]

I'm not a pilot, but I know you guys work in a very complex environment that requires substantial skill, knowledge and training -- and you have incredible safety responsibilities. So I don't care how others view you, I view you with great respect. It's a difficult job, and nearly all of you do it very well. Thanks.

[golf yankee one one]

I think that the answer may depend on whether or not you dip into PPRuNE.

If you don't... RESPECT. If you do....angry white men.

[172_driver]

It still raises eyebrows when you mention it, all I can say from the north.

[Olympia463]

I'm a glider pilot. When I tell people they are impressed, as they think flying without an engine is nothing short of magical. With fellow soarers I get respect only when I add that I am an instructor. Gliding instructors are regarded as Gods.

[Mike6567]

As Len Morgan said "The way I see it, you can either work for a living or you can fly airplanes. Me, I'd rather fly."

[flash8]

Recall Niki stating any monkey could fly a 767... being rated in the a/c and probably CP I don't think many of his minions argued back!

[Offchocks]

I never use to volunteer what I did for a living until the questions backed me into a corner. I was never ashamed of my profession, but I’m just not the sort of person who self promotes.
I do think that describing your job as a driver, which some do, is a bit degrading and the public may start to believe it as such. No offence meant to truck drivers.

[4runner]

You used to be a God in Afrika until they started hiring Nigerian pilots. Now you’re immediately suspect and have to pay 6 months advance rent instead of 3. Seriously.

[Atlas Shrugged]

While standing in line at the check-in desk at a hotel, the gentleman ahead of me in line finishes his business with the desk, turns, sees my pilot uniform and hands me his bags. Moral of the story? Don't go thinking you're any better than a bellhop!

I was once told that I could "park my bus around the back in the car park"!!

[George Glass]

Are you asking because you want to get into the business?
Where I come from the definition of someone who gets paid too much is anybody who earns more than you do.
If you earn multiples of average weekly earnings nobody is going to love you.
Envy and a consuming sense of grievance win.
Plus a profound ignorance of what you actually do.
So don’t worry about it.
Still the best job in the world.

[ShyTorque]

Originally Posted by westhawk

While standing in line at the check-in desk at a hotel, the gentleman ahead of me in line finishes his business with the desk, turns, sees my pilot uniform and hands me his bags. Moral of the story? Don't go thinking you're any better than a bellhop!

I had a similar experience. I was wearing my RAF uniform at the time. The moron told me he was going to report me to the manager!

[KRH270/12]

Well, when i was in my early twenties, people where impressed when they found out that i was a Pilot and allready on big jets... the Girls loved it, plus i had more money than all of my friends.

Now, 20 years later, people feel sorry for me. They consider the job hard labour, badly paid with a catastrophic work life balance.... wich is not true in my case, but i leave them in their disbeliev. But now some of my friends really make big money in banking or IT....

[piopawlu]

Originally Posted by arvida

I met a guy who been to Sweden and he told me to never tell anybody you're a pilot over there since they see pilots as nobodies!

No idea why anybody would tell you that. I don't think pilots are considered "Gods" here, but people usually think it's a cool profession.

[S61N1977]

I don’t know what you want ? Choose a profession that suits you, don’t think about what the world thinks about Pilots.
The most important thing is what you feel about yourself, your abilities, your endurance to stand through thick and thin, where you will be next
Year, next ten years,respect is earned and not by imposing your importance.

[ShyTorque]

Originally Posted by KRH270/12

Well, when i was in my early twenties, people where impressed when they found out that i was a Pilot and allready on big jets... the Girls loved it, plus i had more money than all of my friends.

Now, 20 years later, people feel sorry for me. They consider the job hard labour, badly paid with a catastrophic work life balance.... wich is not true in my case, but i leave them in their disbeliev. But now some of my friends really make big money in banking or IT....

Most of my school friends of my age have retired already, because they could afford to. The ones that didn't choose aviation for their career, that is.
The one friend who did go into aviation at the same time as myself had to retire for health reasons - from stress.
Before anyone makes smart comments about why I still work; I'm still with my first wife of well over forty years.