SteamJet

I admit I know nothing about OBAP, WIA or the NGPA beside the fact they exist. Never been to one of their meetings or anything. I'm sure they're all fine organizations that do great things to promote aviation. However, the previous posters testimonials notwithstanding and in spite of the fact it is politically incorrect to say so, I'm not a big fan of such organizations.

I couldn't possibly care less about what color you are, what sex you are or who you have sex with. I think the vast majority of people in this country feel the same. Perhaps I'm naive in this respect. . .

In my opinion any organization that at its core is based on sex, race, color, creed, religion, etc. is problematic in this post-racial/sexist/whatever era and contributes (unintentially) to the "Balkanizaton" of society in spite of it's good intentions, good works or inclusiveness. If there were organizations named OWAP, MIA or NHPA they'd be run out of town on a rail for being racist, sexist and homophobic and rightly so. Do you think if these fictional organizations existed and were bursting at the seems with good works and inclusiveness it would be any different?

Just one person's opinion. I hope you don't take it personally, nothing I said was meant to be an afront to anyone. Feel free to criticize or educate me if you so desire. I think I'm open-minded enough and thick-skinned enough to take it.

detpilot

This will be the first one I've missed in 4 years... I wish I could make it. Have fun if you're going.

DustyRoads

What happens at these OBAP conventions?

SkiBum112

If you want to help kids some more, check out Pilots for Kids. Excellent organization that visits sick kids in hospitals and orphanages, especially during the holidays. Sorry...shameless plug

SunSherpa

There may be a time in the future when organizations like OBAP and others may have less relevance in the realm of aviation but for now they serve as an invaluable forum for network and exposing aspiring youth of all denominations (but placing special emphasis on Black and Hispanic aviators and aspiring aviators) to the aviation field. Many minority youth have never considered aviation as a career path because they never had any role models or even saw a black pilot or hispanic pilot.

In a utopian society where race and color does not matter it would be great to think that everyone is recognized simply by their knowledge, skills and flying abilities and not the color of their skin...unfortunately we are not there yet. Talking about race is always the third-rail in our daily conversation and causes some discomfort even in an aviation forum such as this. When this thread first started I could have almost predicted that before it was over there would be at least one individual who would mock the OBAP organization, one who would question the need for its existence, one who would claim there should be an "Organization of White Airline Pilots" one or more who would say that as pilots they do not judge people by the color of their skin (an admirable trait) or one who would feel so much discomfort by the topic that they would want the thread to be shut down. If you don't believe it, you should have seen the hostility on another forum thread when a story on CNN broke about an all-Black all-female crew that was recently paired up on an ASA-Delta Connection flight. It was a first in this country but rather than celebrating their achievements (not that they pulled off the flight successfully but recognizing the historical context considering aviation is under-represented by minorities and even more under-represented by minority women) the crew was lambasted as questions were brought up as to why this would even constitute news.

If you are in aviation and not a minority it is very easy to over-simplify and question things that you might not be able to understand or even relate to since you've never experienced it. Do a little research and enlighten yourself and you'll find you'd have a greater appreciation and understanding as to why such organizations exist in the first place.

xtreme

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with you there. You don't think people recognized Barack Obama based on his knowledge and skills? A black man can become president but not an airline pilot? How are we not there yet?

Everybody has the same opportunity in this country. If you work hard and apply yourself, you will reach that goal.

SoCalGuy

Short and sweet.....just about the most 'true' statement made within this thread.

I don't think anyone is discounting the positive philanthropy this organization promotes within various communities that OBAP associates itself with, but the facts mentioned above are true, tried, and now delivered....can't argue the facts.

Couldn't agree with you more.

Onfinal

Have you ever gone on snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages and noticed the number of lies, false emails, that are spread about him. And he's been president for 6 months! Why did the secret service have to give him protection earlier than any other person running in the primaries? That's before he had determined his platform? Maybe what you posted is true from the prism you see through, but its may not be true from the prism others see through. You feel you can do anything you want, if you work hard. I believe the same, and organization like OBAP are here to assist me, and help you if you wish to accept it!

Whatever the case, don't deny my experiences in life, and I won't deny yours.

Onfinal

newKnow

I'll jump in, just because I can see the point....

Obama gets a little more exposure than the typical African-American airline pilot.

Because of this Obama exposure, African-American youth can now see AND believe that they can become President, Senator, represenative, politician, community activist, ect.

How many African-American airline pilots are these same youth exposed to in todays environment? I've been told that there are less than 1% of pilots who are Black. So, if a group of them gather for the sole purpose of showing minority youth that "they can do it too," what does it hurt?

What good does it do to have to same opportunity if you don't believe you have it? You can be told something all day long, but if you see someone who has accomplished what you want, I would immagine it is immeasurably better.

Sort of like a picture is worth a thousand words......

I see the Obama picture all day, every day. I can go for days of walking thru the airport and not see a Black pilot.

grdprox

Just a sidebar, did you know that black airline pilots represent less than a percent, thats right, less than 1% of the commercial pilots in the US. Throw in hispanic and women and you get to a whopping 2 1/2 to 3%. I do agree, we should ALL be on the same playing field but with those numbers, any help would, help. I know a couple of white pilots by the way that got free training and ratings with the help of OBAP. I don't believe they only help miinorities.

PS: It's good to see convo's like this materialize in a professional manner.