Originally Posted by
OldSF3Dude
I think the word "professional" is so over used now-a-days that the word has really lost it's true meaning. Everyone thinks they are a professional. Everyone thinks they work in a "profession". Being professional is equated to a garb of clothes and a nice hair cut.
Recently I was asked in an interview what a professional was. I could have just given another canned answer, but I tried to explain my thoughts more along these lines...
In the most basic sense a professional is someone who works for money, is not an amateur. That can be anyone of any character. Prostitution is "the oldest profession" after all. I doubt that when most pilots think of being "professional" they equate themselves to prostitutes, however.
Many equate "professionalism" as somehow always being wrapped in appearence and/or the public perception of them. This seems to be a very common theme, or, at least a major part of most definitions. Although, unlike the prostitutes mentioned above, an attractive appearance in this case is taken as a moral virtue. Personally, to me, appearance is appearance and I don't see a spiffy pilot as being any more virtuous than a nice looking lady of the night.
To me a professional is someone who engages in a profession. A profession is a vocation in the branches of science or learning (as defined in the dictionary). A doctor is the usually one of the first professions that comes to mind, but you could include many other jobs in there that require life long expertise and learning. I would submit to you that a professional requires a college degree. Preferably an advanced degree. But beyond that other life long learning, obtaining of new skills, certifications, etc.
Professionals have their own governing bodies that govern their own affairs, requirements for entry, dismissal, ethics, standards, etc. Individuals in the profession are also expected to independently maintain high standards of conduct and learning. They are given greater latitude in this regard than workers outside of a true profession. There is a great societal trust to maintain.
AND professionals profess. In other words they teach. They mentor. They associate. They pass on knowledge. a
I say if you want to be a true professional then you got to have the whole package. If you can't independently maintain high standards, then you're not a professional. If you are not committed to obtaining a degree, flying skills and working life long to improve, then you are not a professional. If you don't associate and profess (teach) to bring up the next generation, then you are not a professional.
I think that good pilots are all these things. We deserved to be lumped with doctors, professors, scientists, lawyers, military officers, the clergy, etc.
P.S.- Do any of the other professions wear back packs? Does it really matter in the big scheme of things? Would you not go to a doctor if he wore a back pack to work? I'd be more worried about where he went to med school, his experience and his reputation.
I must disagree with your criteria here since a degree, advanced or otherwise, contributes zero to being a professional pilot. How does my Bachelors in Arts Administration contribute to my being a professional pilot?
So those working pilots without degrees or not in pursuit of one somehow earns the distinction of not being a professional? I agree with most of your other points, but this one is simply preposterous.
The only benefit to having a degree is to check the box if one has their sights on a major airline or some corporate flight departments.