Originally Posted by Diesel8

It all depends on what side of the equation that you fall. Lots of variables there. You would have to see it from both sides to truly understand. This is something that no one can truly accomplish.

It is also highly dependent on corporate culture at specific companies. A fair amount of larger companies make a point of getting their "tokens" to address any implication of sexism/racism.

I have seen a fair amount of diversity at the smaller operators that I have worked at. Is there still sexism/racism? You bet, when not in an audience that demands "PC" behavior, there is still a lot of nasty rhetoric that follows the typical stereotypic attitudes. Day to day, probably not as much as in the past.

I find it hilarious that most people that deny the existence of racism/sexism are for the most part 100 % not in any of the affected groups.

Overall it might have faded or grown some over the years, it just something that if fairly ingrained in our culture, it's not anything that will fully go away any time soon.

Originally Posted by GogglesPisano

Great post rickair.

You're forgetting, however, that in today's society it's a crime that every occupation isn't populated in exact proportion with societal demographics. Not enough female scientists, not enough NFL coaches of color (never mind the player demographic -- that's illusory.) Not enough women in boardrooms. Not enough female law partners. This institutional sexism and racism needs to be rectified by any means necessary -- even if it means forcing some people to like the idea of flying airplanes and science. In the name of diversity.

No excuses will be tolerated.

Originally Posted by Learflyer

And white males are the only ones that are expected to change their ways. We're the easiest to pick on. Sorry if I'm a little rough. I come from a large law enforcement family.

Originally Posted by John Carr

It was comical a few years back at WAI, there were some younger female pilots openly commenting about all the males there, and how messed up it was that males are allowed to attend. As in, saying it loud enough that plenty of people around can hear it.

Originally Posted by RyeMex

I had a female roommate a few years back who, when I commented that I had attended WAI, was aghast at the prospect that women weren't immediately given the front of the line for all of the meet and greet's. She couldn't get over how "unfair" it was that women had to wait in line to talk to recruiters, like all the men did.

Of course, she was also the only first officer that I ever flew with who universally had a reputation with every captain that I knew for being the most incompetent and dangerous pilot that they had ever flown with. So, naturally her career depends on being pushed to the front of the line. That and her plastic surgery should allow her career to go far.

Originally Posted by RyeMex

I had a female roommate a few years back who, when I commented that I had attended WAI, was aghast at the prospect that women weren't immediately given the front of the line for all of the meet and greet's. She couldn't get over how "unfair" it was that women had to wait in line to talk to recruiters, like all the men did.

Originally Posted by Crazy Canuck

Haha, I once told a girl who commented "remember when this used to be about women?" that women didnt need these job fairs to get hired. She had nada

Originally Posted by rickair7777

Two separate things, not to be confused...

The traditional airline career path began in the military. Both military and airlines have long career pipelines and you cannot jump in or out in the middle. Today's senior widebody Captains began their journey in Vietnam.

Society has changed, and the military has followed suite, but the senior pilots of today reflect a snapshot of 1970's demographics. What you see there is 40 years time-late, and does not reflect opportunities today. Both the airlines and the military are falling all over themselves to hire non-whites and women, when they can find them.

If you pay attention to the younger pilots, you'll see much more diversity but still plenty of white males. Reason for that is that aviation is a long journey and usually starts with childhood interests. White males are more likely to be rural or suburban gear-heads, and to pursue technical education relevant to aviation. Woman tend to prefer white-collar education and work to technical fields, so the pool of interested minority/female applicants is limited just based on their own interests. I don't consider that to be a fault of the aviation industry, if there's a problem maybe society needs to provide better early education opportunities to some demographics.

The majority of female pilots tend to drop out of aviation, or take career off-ramps to raise kids. Their choice, but entirely understandable...it's a rough lifestyle with kids.

As far as cockpit culture, with the few rare exceptions that exist in any walk of life, you'll find it very welcoming and open to anyone (we even have trans pilots now, although I can't say they are warmly accepted just yet).

If you're interested and willing to do what it takes to get there, you'll have a good experience. Although you'll probably have to discuss politics you don't agree with at some point, but all of us have had that experience.

Originally Posted by 80knts

Just came across this article from 2014 which discusses the lack of diversity in airline cockpits. I was interested in seeing input from actual pilots to see if the things said in this article hold any weight. Have you seen any discrimination in hiring practices at your airline or is this a non-issue?

Airlines' flight decks lack diversity | TheHill

Originally Posted by alphonso1

I have to agree with you.

There are NOT a lot of African Americans that have Parents That can afford to send their kids to Embry Riddle, Dowling College, or any other Flying School.

It's too much money to learn and too much money lost as a CFI/CFII.