How are pilots perceived around the world?

[Olympia463]

You know boys, I don't give a s**t for what anyone thinks about me being a pilot. I know that the day of my first solo changed me forever. I joined a band of brothers and sisters who all shared the unique experience of being in sole charge of a flying machine. Most folk are really envious of that experience. We are a tiny percentage of homo sapiens and that's enough for me.

[bzh]

[Maninthebar]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our WINNER

[Nomad2]

Your status depends on where you work. For example:

If you work in the UK, your status is equal to the fuel. ie, you are something that needs to be put in the plane, without which it won't fly.

If you work in India, you are a true Sky God.

I guess everywhere else is in between, but I liked India.

[Prober]

Idle

Many years ago in the halcyon days of flight deck visits, some of my children were allowed into my office. They went back to the "management" and reported "Daddy's sitting there doing nothing!" They are all now making good money doing "something".

[racedo]

Originally Posted by ShyTorque

Before anyone makes smart comments about why I still work; I'm still with my first wife of well over forty years.

So you work to get away from the wife............. well that is one interpretation of it or never earned enough to afford the alimony.
(Congrats on the 40 plus yrs)

[a350pilots]

Originally Posted by ShyTorque

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!

Same happened to me!

[BehindBlueEyes]

If it’s important to you, this made me smile.

https://www.businessinsider.com/pilo...17-4?r=US&IR=T

“Being a pilot says, 'I'm fearless, daring and intelligent.' It's the ultimate phallic symbol—a jet liner."“

[ph-sbe]

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!

In all fairness, in some parts of the world air crew is paid so poorly that it would be very much possible that the poor chap had a side job (or two).

[BehindBlueEyes]

Originally Posted by Prober

Many years ago in the halcyon days of flight deck visits, some of my children were allowed into my office. They went back to the "management" and reported "Daddy's sitting there doing nothing!" They are all now making good money doing "something".

That reminds me very much of a similar experience some friends of ours had. Their son, Charlie, is a very young FO with a well known national carrier. Some other mates of theirs also had a son of six who went on his first flight to Spain recently. His mother had told the son that Charlie flew the exact aircraft which impressed the little lad no end. She then went on to say, “But of course, daddy is also pilot.” (Daddy is a WingCo in the RAF) The lad then turned to mum and said, “But Charlie is a PROPER pilot!”

[SID PLATE]

Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged

Third Triangle Player in the Falklands Islands Symphony Orchestra usually raises an eyebrow or two......

... or you could tell them you play the triangle in the Jamaican Symphony Orchestra instead.

You just "stand at the back,.. 'an ting..."

[Private jet]

Well, even when i had my first PPL in 1992 and later my pro licence in 2000 the response from people (especially the ladies) in conversation was "Oh really!!!" Now I dread telling people what I do, despite operating a very nice corporate machine because the modern response is "oh....really..." [yawn]

[SARF]

I had a choice between the RAF and banking back in 83. I chose banking and retired at 45.
‘I do regret it a bit .. and obviously people think ima w.nker. But I got over it ...

[Jumbo744]

Why would you care what the 'world' thinks about your job ?

Anyways, from my experience:

In Africa I used to be treated as if I was a top army official
In Europe I was treated nicely and with respect
In Canada, Flight Attendants think they are better than you and don't need you in the plane.

Before becoming a pilot, I used to admire them. Now that I am a pilot, I stay far away from them when I'm off.

[Airbubba]

I've seen copies of this classic series of cartoons 'The Captain as Seen By...' in ops and crew lounges all over the world. Most seem to be prints of the digitized images from the dialup modem era with compression artifacts. I'd love to find better quality online copies.

Apparently the originals were drawn by TWA Captain Russ Day for a friend's retirement party:

A series of cartoons he drew for Bill Dixon's retirement party in 1978, all neatly framed, were entitled: "The Captain as Seen by -- his wife, the copilot, the FAA, the Flight Attendants, etc. Russ says the theme was an old one, but his drawing and interpretations were all original. The drawings hang in a place of honor in Bill's apartment in San Jose, California, with copies at his late son's.

RussDay

[Loose rivets]

One I saw in the early 80's had the last shot of uniformed captain at home in front of his wife. His face was screwed up and he had tears spurting from his eyes.

[stilton]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agree, pilots are often their own worst enemies:

‘a trained monkey could do it’

‘just sit up here and push buttons’


are the sort of inane comments that have a large contingent of the public misunderstand and show contempt for what is still a fine profession, requiring a high level of technical skill, knowledge, good judgment and co -ordination

Impugning your own
profession is not clever

[PA28161]

Those that can, can, those that can't teach!

[Laurence25]

I love this thread.

It’s not often I feel the need to post- only the top tier aviation topics are blessed with my input (and this is champions league tier)

Answer; depends who you work for.

If you work for Branson, there’s a good chance people won’t get the chance to perceive. Mr/Mrs Captain will tell you how great he/she is. How much better they are than you, why you’re basically pond scum and why their Rolex is more unique than yours. All whilst standing at the bar waiting for somebody else to pay (previous experience)

Ultimately, who actually cares?! If you do, you’ve got bigger problems.

[Bergerie1]

PA28161,

In aviation there is a corollary. Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, check.