HuggyU2

Question for y'all:
Often, I'll see a bio for an airline pilot. It might be because they have written a book or an article for a magazine. Or it might be because they have another job, and the website for that other job has their bio.

But in almost every instance, the bio says "Mr X flies for a major airline".

Why don't airline pilot bios just name the specific airline they fly for, rather than say "a major airline" in the generic sense? I really don't see that in other industries.

FoxtrotBravo

Possible reasons:
Used to work/works for a Major Airline, but;

1. Lost their medical and doesn't actually fly
2. Retired
3. Resigned in disgust because doesn't get along well with others and/or has obsessive compulsive disorder
4. Major airline's legal department will not allow disclosure
5. Fear of fallout from peers ( other pilots of major airline)
6. Works in the training department and is not actually a pilot for major airline, but a simulator instructor for a major airline who never sees a real airplane
7. Is a private pilot with delusions of grandeur

In short, it is usually someone who is full of "it" and themselves collectively. How do I know? I work for a Major Airline! Lol

Fr8doggie

Most airlines will fire you for speaking "for" the company when it comes to policies and/or procedures. They want their hired mouthpieces to say what the lawyers pre-approve.

highflyer

Huggy,
I wrote an article on AvWeb and the editors insisted on using that phrase. Worked for me!
See you at the reunion?

Cheers,
Paul

kme9418

You'll see the same thing in military bios of Reservists. One theory is that if you actually name the airline, it could imply federal endorsement of a specific company (which is not intended). The government has contracts with lots of airlines and we wouldn't want anything to appear anything but impartial.

JohnBurke

Flying for an airline isn't grandeur. It's a job.

There are a number of reasons for not naming one's employer. The specific employer isn't important, nor the point of citing that experience. Many employers do not want to be associated with or named in employee functions unless explicitly approved by the employer.

My employers do not wish to be named or associated with a commercial publication, and that's made quite clear.

Even on internet web boards I've seen psychopathic nutjobs that went after people on the board because of something that was said; the nutjob called employers, called homes, made threats, created problems.

Publishing a book or an article is one thing; drawing one's employer or family into it is entirely another.

If someone writes a book and indicates that they fly for a major airline, does it really matter if it's United or American?

rickair7777

As others have said there are good reasons for not naming your employer...and it's almost a given that they don't want to be named. Reason enough.

In fact airline pilots are one of the few jobs where you could even get away with serving as a public commentator while actively employed (not self employed) in that field. Most companies would probably fire you.

Airhoss

And with item number 4 we have a winner.....

HuggyU2

I cannot believe this, but the weekend that was picked was the ONE weekend I simply cannot get there, due to a conflict with my new job. So very disappointing.