That's a change. During Desert Storm the company would allow the C-141 guys to fly one trip a month to maintain their insurance and benefits status. I always thought AS was pretty enlightened about that. It appears things have changed.

 

As a female pilot, potentially aspiring to apply at Alaska, I have to say...........I do so solemnly hope we, as newbie female FO's aren't tossed out to the "look but don't touch" pile; due to this hot %^@#$)& mess. Part of the reason I became a pilot was because of the camaraderie amongst ourselves.

Our brotherhood, even IF we were women. It exists in so VERY few fields. Guys, please. If we loose that....we are simply overpaid, over glorified, sky borne bus drivers.

We are MORE than that. We have YEARS of experience, DECADES of knowledge and a mountain of experience to bring to this new digitalized age. Let us NOT separate this by sex. I am not asking for a handout, a hand UP or ANY advantage when it comes to hiring. Just for a un tinted chance.

I just don't want to feel like the lone Martyr in a line of Suffragettes. We have to make a stand at some point. Guys, I love you all, you are my friends, pals, confidants. But you have NO idea, how hard it is to BREAK INTO a field nearly completely dominated by men.............


We don't need a handout, like in the 80's. But we might need a hand up. It's hard. Harder than you think. Have you ever been handed a coat and asked to rack it? Have you ever been asked for a pre takeoff drink? Have you EVER had ANYONE walk off your plane simply because of your sex?????????

No??????????????

Ask a female pilot. We've seen it all. Yes there are Alarmists and Gals who take advantage of this temporary female flame. But most of us are just like you. We flew ****ty MU-2's in Marginal weather to deliver not that important checks to banks that could care less. We flew triple mailer's to Eskimo Villages day after day, after day. We did the GRIND...........JUST like you did.

YET we are grouped with them, the whiny, unfair Feminists ....................WHY????

Please guys. I am a pretty cool Chick to hang out with. I won't sue you if we share a shot of Jamison after a 3 legger. I WANT that camraderie..........I wan't that Brotherhood.

It is a huge reason I became a pilot. Let's not let that fade away.

I miss you guys..............lets share the sky, despite our sex.......not. because of it.

Ad Astra per Aspara!

RadialGal

 

Radial Gal you write well.
The camaraderie of aviation was leaving long before the me2 circus came to town. Smart phones, facebook, youtube, microbrews, fad diets, food allergies have all played a part in turning layovers in to solo events. Several generations raised with minimum social skills/edicate are players in the decline of the once grand airline layover. Too many max FAR days in a row, too many redeyes, too many zone swaps, too many min rest overnites.....And trust is gone. And not just boy-girl trust..
When Blackout Betty chose to toss a hand grenade into a crowded room the damage was done. A wave of retribution swept over us and HR suspensions/terminations/ allegations shot up 8 times the normal. Not just with pilots but flight attendants as well.
Still a decent job no question about it.

 

It's just so sad......*******it!

I used to drink ****ty Buds with guys who flew leaky DC-2's and retired on 74's with United.

I gave biennials to fellas who flew the Blackbird.

It
Was
So Much MORE!!!!!!!

I weep for the past and fear for the future. We are starting to be not too different from a cube farm. A "run of the mill" job. My friends......my fellow fliers.

We are SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!

When you shove those throttles forward.....remember.

Remember

What you gave. The Sleepless night hours fueling (******* those MU-2's) Your crap, INOP stickered filled, piece of **** Mu-2's, 421's, 310's, Navi-Hoes!

You did that, you EARNED this.

Despite the tests, the turmoil,the uncertainty..........the decade worth of ****!!!

You, my friend, prevailed.

When we tilt back a cold one on a layover; I hope you won't view me as a Blackout Betty...........but simply as a fellow flier......with different plumbing. I miss you all. It's lonely out there; and I know it's a scary time for all my Male fellow fliers.

We aren't all out to get you; please don't give up on us.

Ad Astra per Aspara!

RadialGal

 

What’s wrong with microbrews?!

 

Yeah, I'm going to have to have that one explained to me.

 

Never mind the microbrews. What the heck is "edicate"?

 

RadialGal -

Excellent posts. I agree with you and am supportive. Through my many years I have worked to treat women fairly. To mentor and coach. To see them grow in their performance, just as men. My experience is the average woman in a male dominated profession performs a bit better. You know, as do I, the reasons. The greater seriousness, the extra effort. I support you.

 

I agree, and have mentioned this before. That ability, coupled with Radial Gal’s aviation experience, could generate a fine book some day.

 

This is my 20th year as an airline pilot and marks the halfway point in my career as I am NOT flying past 65 even if the age changes to XX. Unfortunately RadialGal, our ever more sterile working environment is a direct barometer of what’s happening in society.

Just a few months ago something happened that really had a profound effect on how I view work and the interaction between crew members (pilots and FAs in particular). Call it a wake up call.....

There was some joking around and joke telling back and forth on the hotel van to the airport. Nothing too scandalous or edgy. We ended up flying a few legs together and at the end of it one of the FAs asked to speak to me on the jetway. To paraphrase what she said, “You’re a nice guy and a great captain and I wouldn’t want to see anything happen to you. Just know that the other FAs took offense to some of what you said in the van this morning and with the Me Too movement alive and well these days, I’d be very careful if I were you”.

After my initial shock I thanked her and offered her an apology. THAT was a big wake up call to me on just how much society has changed. Unfortunately, now I just go to work and try to have an approachable but “strictly business” attitude. When American society has degraded to the point where someone can ruin your career because they took offense to something trivial (or would not have even raised an eyebrow ten years ago) then expect nothing less than an ever increasing percentage of “slam-clicking”, anti-social, and introverted coworkers (especially males who are the ones being targeted).

The camaraderie truly is something special amongst pilots (professional or even recreational), but if you’re getting into the professional pilot world for that then you’ll become increasingly disappointed as the lawyers, special interest groups, think tanks, Hollywood stars, talk show hosts, etc. further drive sterilization of human interaction in our society because you just don’t know who will take offense to your words or actions. Very, very sad....