Publics Perception of Pilots

SoCalAprch said:
A promiscuous button pusher who drinks heavily. (A little :sarcasm:)quote]


One of my best friends dad is a former DC-10/MD-11 driver for Delta. He told me to become a pilot you have to be at least one of the following:
a) A Bulls**t artist
b) A womanizer
c) An alcoholic

I think those are the public's perception of pilots.
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There are still some people that think well of us....all things considered especially in the US (like doug has mentioned in his post).

Many people-from my experience in the security line for example-are fine with you cutting in front for example. They realize you are there to work, to get the plane ready for them, and they let you right in. Its nice when those people step to the side, let you by, and say something to the effect of "you go right ahead....you have to get us there".

And the other great thing....which i still take alot of pride in-and probably another reason i still like to fly for the airlines compared to boxes (where it seems the money is-and it would be fun too-i'm not knocking on those guys) are the people both old and young that do "look up" to pilots.

One of my favorite examples recently- after finishing a trip, i was walking through the terminal, wearing the blazer/hat combo uniform after commuting home, on the way to my truck, and as i walked by a mother who was with her child (about 4-5 year old boy i would guess), he shouted across the terminal hallway- " HI CAPTAIN!!!!!" .
Even though i'm an FO, i could see that it was clear i was the person he was talking too, so i said i quick "Hello!" back to him while walking by, and then he ran back to where his mother was sitting just smiling. And his mother i think was alittle surprised/embarressed, but hey, it was funny and nice.

It was a long trip i just got back from that week-but having that on the end of the trip was just nice.
 
I haven't gotten any disrespect from people at all. I do get confused with being a flight attendant all the time. They always ask me "are you working our flight?":)

Most people are shocked that I'm a pilot because the percieve pilots to be old and graying. Sure they have a lot of questions when I'm trying to nap. But hey, thats part of the job.:)
 
Number1atNumber2 said:
I'd say that's pretty accurate, although I'd add that most people think we all make damn near 7 figures a year, and that sure as #### is not true.
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:yeahthat:. Almost everyone I talk to at work, or socially, think that all airline pilots make $200,000 a year and work 10 days a month. I am quick to point out what a new FO makes at a regional, or even a major/legacy. Most people think I'm kidding them when I say they only make ~$20k/year.
 
The gist of things around here is we all do well financially and have lots of time off. When I was buying my house, the realtor said to the mortgage broker "But he's a pilot. Why do we have to wait on income verification? Don't pilots make a lot?" The mortgage broker went to Delta State and has friends at PCL, so he and I just kinda shared a laugh as he said "He's a first year FO at a regional. I think you're gonna have an eye opening experience when you see these financials." At least I got the house.
 
Public perception?

That we're all a bunch of OVER paid, UNDER worked, LAZY seat fillers. I mean, our planes CAN land themselves!?!?! We don't even need to be in the cockpit. We just push buttons and look out the window all day, then complain we don't get paid enough!!! :rolleyes: :banghead::banghead:
 
Agreed to that!!!!!!!!
The first time i applied to live near the CVG airport in some apartments-i couldnt qualify alone to meet their requirements. Needed a co-signer.
People in the housing office got a laugh out of the pay.

kellwolf said:
The gist of things around here is we all do well financially and have lots of time off. When I was buying my house, the realtor said to the mortgage broker "But he's a pilot. Why do we have to wait on income verification? Don't pilots make a lot?" The mortgage broker went to Delta State and has friends at PCL, so he and I just kinda shared a laugh as he said "He's a first year FO at a regional. I think you're gonna have an eye opening experience when you see these financials." At least I got the house.
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Sad, but true. When pax inquire about our pilot group, they assume they're good for six figures! (I guess they are, if you count cents!!) :banghead:
Seriously, most people are SHOCKED when they hear 1st year pay. :rolleyes:
 
kellwolf said:
The gist of things around here is we all do well financially and have lots of time off. When I was buying my house, the realtor said to the mortgage broker "But he's a pilot. Why do we have to wait on income verification? Don't pilots make a lot?" The mortgage broker went to Delta State and has friends at PCL, so he and I just kinda shared a laugh as he said "He's a first year FO at a regional. I think you're gonna have an eye opening experience when you see these financials." At least I got the house.
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Have you flown with a lot of DSU grads Steve? Most of the people I know went to PCL.
 
WildCougar said:
Sad, but true. When pax inquire about our pilot group, they assume they're good for six figures! (I guess they are, if you count cents!!) :banghead:
Seriously, most people are SHOCKED when they hear 1st year pay. :rolleyes:
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A couple of semesters ago, I was required to give a speech to the class as a final exam grade (about 100 students) on any topic that the public is not aware of as a result of the media being selective and not so comprehensive. I selected pilot pay. I opened by asking what people thought a typical passenger airline pilot's starting pay is. The first answer I got was "200,000!", followed by a few other six figure guesses. I then responded with the truth, gave some researched facts and figures and there were a lot of surprised looks and quiet chatter amongst the audience. (I went on to offer many reasons why pilots that actually make six figures deserve it, if not more, and that many are underpaid).
 
NC_BE300 said:
Agreed to that!!!!!!!!
The first time i applied to live near the CVG airport in some apartments-i couldnt qualify alone to meet their requirements. Needed a co-signer.
People in the housing office got a laugh out of the pay.
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Oh heck, I applied for rent-controlled government housing while I was in MKE and the apartment manager and I 'fudged' the numbers so I met the minimum income requirement!

It was Skyway pilots and "baby mommas" all over the complex, but the management liked us because we were quiet, clean and relatively drama-free.
 
When I tell everyone I chose to change from being an A&P to a pilot they are all like " wow man you'll be rollin in the big bucks... When I tell them how it works and what foirst year pay is they always say "Wow, I am never flying on a regional jet ever again. People at Mcdonalds make more and they are always pissed off!"
 
In my oppinion I think that those who are some how informed about Pilot's are less likely to think hey HE IS A PILOT. Like for instance you have people that think a plane has gas pedals in it, and that the yoke is the steering wheel, they are the one's most likely to think of pilot's as six figure salary makers. HAHA funny story, I go to sunglass hut to check out those Ray-Ban glasses ( very nice btw, deff plan on buying it ) and this lady in her early 20's ( CUTE):D tell's me that there are way more stylish glasses over here. I then proceeded to tell her I wanted aviation specs because they are for flying. She still did not get it ( she thought I meant passenger ) so then I told her that it is for flying as a PILOT, she went bOHLISTIK, OMG your a pilot, Wow these are perfect for you.

I tried to stop her but the fact she thought I was an AIRLINE PILOT just made me warm inside so I lett her keep going:D. She said well you know maybe you can go through your EMPLOYER and get these way cheaper. So I said Oh really? I had no idea:laff::laff::laff:. Those of you who have seen my Jamaica pics ( about 2 pages back in Pics from road) know that I look like a 12 year old besides being 6'1 and having a bit of a mustache:). Anyways she stared at me walking through the mall for about 20 minutes and talked to other employee's while staring at me :laff::laff::laff:. Show's you how girl's especially look up to pilots :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
 
JA Yawd Bwoy said:
and this lady in her early 20's ( CUTE):D

Anyways she stared at me walking through the mall for about 20 minutes and talked to other employee's while staring at me :laff::laff::laff:. Show's you how girl's especially look up to pilots :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
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And then you got her number.

Right?
 
A little of the general pilot topic, but still on the same subject:

What I love is when people find out I'm not only a pilot, but a flight instructor. The general response is something like, "But aren't you a little young to be a flight instructor?" It seems like the general public thinks that most flight instructors are retired airline pilots or at least some other highly professional job that your typical 21-year old couldn't possibly have enough training to do.
 
JA Yawd Bwoy said:
Show's you how girl's especially look up to pilots :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
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You must have found a unique girl. Most of the girls I know couldn't care one way or the other that I'm a pilot, but I like it that way. I tend to be the more lay-low introverted type. ;)
 
PanJet said:
You must have found a unique girl. Most of the girls I know couldn't care one way or the other that I'm a pilot, but I like it that way. I tend to be the more lay-low introverted type. ;)
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When I tell girls I'm a pilot, it always gets me a few extra points.:nana2:
 
NC_BE300 said:
One of my favorite examples recently- after finishing a trip, i was walking through the terminal, wearing the blazer/hat combo uniform after commuting home, on the way to my truck, and as i walked by a mother who was with her child (about 4-5 year old boy i would guess), he shouted across the terminal hallway- " HI CAPTAIN!!!!!" .
Even though i'm an FO, i could see that it was clear i was the person he was talking too, so i said i quick "Hello!" back to him while walking by, and then he ran back to where his mother was sitting just smiling. And his mother i think was a little surprised/embarrassed, but hey, it was funny and nice.
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Wow! Can't wait until I get my moment like that. It'd make all the cow manure worth it.:rawk:
 
PanJet said:
A little of the general pilot topic, but still on the same subject:

What I love is when people find out I'm not only a pilot, but a flight instructor. The general response is something like, "But aren't you a little young to be a flight instructor?" It seems like the general public thinks that most flight instructors are retired airline pilots or at least some other highly professional job that your typical 21-year old couldn't possibly have enough training to do.
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I look older than I am, but I still used to get that ALL the time. People who thought I was too young to be a CFI and they thought I was older than I was. Haven't had that problem in a while, but I also quit instructing college kids for the most part (their mommas can be a pain :)).
 
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