Originally Posted by skybolt
Skyhigh, I really don't understand why you have such a dislike for pilots! Why do you continue to demean the people who do the job? I don't have any problem with your industry bashing, Lord knows I've done it myself, but why must you show disrespect for those of us who do the job.
Do you really think that airline pilots have no natural ability and skill?
If you think that "airlines are designed to accomodate the lowest common denominator", then I'll submit that you never interviewed at any major pax of box carrier. The airline training, and union job protection systems may protect a pilot once that pilot gains a job, but I can assure you that "lowest common denominator pilots" never get the job to begin with.
In fact, even though I have a healthy disrespect for those with SJS, even most of those punks are da##ed good pilots.
I'll remove your quote from my sig when you stop pilot bashing.
Skybolt
Dear Bolt,
Please I am highly flattered and honored by your homage to me in every post. By all means leave the quote.
I think that the airlines take an assembly line approach to flying that reduces the actual skill and ability down to near rote memorization. Safety demands a sterile system that mostly removes the human element as risk. The results are that pilots are spoon fed information from dispatch and lead around like dogs by ATC. Airline pilots are not supposed to think for themselves but instead are taught to refer to manuals and decision trees for guidance. In an emergency the crew member is supposed to regurgitate a canned response like a computer and they are assessed by how well they can resemble automation. I don't know if you have any other flying experiences outside of the airlines but I can assure you that it is very different. However, if you like to feel good about what you do and think you are a superman then that is great.
SkyHigh