Bernoulli,

Pilots have referred to themselves as drivers in a self deprecating way (ironically) since the 1930s or earlier, in fact WW1 pilots were selected for their equitationary talents, (horse riding) or if you like, jockeys.

I was a Herc driver in Air Force , nothing wrong with that .

Self deprecating is just fine, I get that bit. It's when the term is picked up by others outside the group and used in a demeaning sense that it becomes unacceptable. The same principle applies to any profession. Whilst doctors may be quite happy to refer to themselves as 'quacks', 'pill merchants' etc they wouldn't welcome a patient walking through the door and calling them by these same terms.

I don't 'pilot' a bus any more than I 'drive' an aircraft.

Well, in the RAF we used to be called drivers/airframe. Never bothered me in the slightest.

Bernoulli! I would read the post first and get the correct person! I never said any of us where drivers!