Sensitive, aren't we? Piloting is a lot more than stick and rudder skills. That is just a small part of it.

But it is not some heroic act defying death and destruction and saving the cooing girls in the back either.

The airplane is a machine and the pilot flies it and manages the technology. No biggie if you ask me. I enjoy it and find it a constant challenge to always be the best pilot I can be. And I always strive for perfection. I am not yet bored with it.

But I don't overestimate my own importance or that of my job flying RJs.

PS - My buddy at United who is very senior on the 777 and a former Air Force pilot would himself think the 'trained ape' analogy was probably more proper than not.