Define Professionalism

Just two to add:
1. The willingness to do the right thing when no one else is looking.
2. Courteous and keeps a business demeanor while performing their duties.
 
So a doctor "working" for Doctors Without Borders is not a professional? A pilot doing volunteer work can not be a professional? When I go to elementary schools to teach about aviation I am not a professional because I don't charge for this? I certainly did not get sent to the Sahara Desert for six months for the money... no amount of money would have made that worth while. Nor getting sent to the Middle East for a year and being seperateed from my family for 15 months... no amount of money would have made up for that and I was paid far less than some of the Blackwater pilots. Did that mean I was no longer a "professional" officer?

I think you missed the joke. I was thinking in terms of this kind of 'getting paid':

idiocracy_money.jpg
 
Professionalism is to conform to the standards and ethics of your profession and hold them in high regard, not necessarily with overwatch or supervision of others.


See also: Self-Awareness; Self-Discipline; Integrity.
 
I got VERY tired of flying with spineless fools at the airlines who thought that being a "professional" meant you had to eliminate any and all personality.

You can be a "professional" and still be an individual. Make your smile and positive attitude contageous, its always nice to catch something like that... Keep it legal, safe, and provide good service. But, have fun while doing it, and bring those around you UP, instead of lording over them. I ALWAYS approached rampers, fuelers, gate agents, everyone etc . with the attitude of "without this person in front of me, this airplane cannot fly". Everyone is equally important, and a professional brings those around him up to his/her level. Being a controlling dick is does not make you better pilot/crewmember, exactly opposit as a matter fact.

Its not the stupid a$$ hat, or the dumb coat that makes you a professional, its how you act when you are wearing them.

thats my .02
 
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