OK, for those who think female pilots and flight crew are a liability because they'll "panic" in an emergency-- remember Aloha 243? The 737 that became a convertible in-flight? The co-pilot on that little adventure was a woman, whose calm and expert work got the plane to a smooth landing. She didn't panic-- in fact, the captain was faulted (in a brief, gentle reprimand in the NTSB report) for initiating a too-quick descent, but otherwise the entire crew was cited for their professionalism and skill in a very dangerous situation.

That old "but those darn gals get HYSTERICAL!!" line is going by the wayside. I'll count on the people in the cockpit being skilled and professional (although usually criminally underpaid-- I bet you didn't know that!) and hope for low turbulence.

Right on, RJW. At some point this thread became the John Birch Society jokeline.

But,the fact is,men are better pilots.

been chopping too much wood, lumberjack?

i love to fly, and always look for the pilot...not quite sure what I am looking for, but once flying out of Frankfort, back to the U.S. I saw the pilot reading a map and it freaked me out!

That "map" isn't like a Rand McNally roadmap-- it charts most recent wind patterns and shows the flightpath that has been filed for the flight (taking into consideration other air traffic etc.). Nothing to worry about.

This is an interesting article on male versus female pilots.

http://christianparty.net/womenpilots.htm

That's a shrill propoganda screed-- info has been spun and twisted until incomprehensible. Besides, once you get to the bottom, you see its true agenda: "Feminism-- An Abomination Before God!"

Yeah, that sounds rational and balanced....

I can't give you exact time frames, but long before 9/11 pilots needed 1500 hours before the airlines would hire them. During the airline boom time just prior to 9/11 the requirement was dropped to 750 because they needed pilots. Post 9/11 I know the requirement is back up to 1500 and when looking at some applications on line, I saw that at least on one airline required 3,000. Just a tidbit of info for you all to think about.

Regarding the above Website. You can make statistics say most anything you want them to say depending on the bias you come from. This is apparently published by some kind of off base, fundamental Christian group who maintain their purpose is, and I quote, "The Fathers' Manifesto Fighting feminism, ending affirmative action, and restoring responsible fatherhood"

Lumberjack I would be carefull if I were you, the beavers may get you!

rjw and cd,

I think that maybe you are taking this out of context. I would not say that men are better than women, but the fact of the matter is that certain things men happen to be better at and other areas women excel over men. Each sex has their strong and weak points. As a rule, beacuse of our biology/hormones, etc. men are generally better in such stressful environments that require a person to think quickly and clearly (such as flying). Women on the other hand tend to be better at rationally thinking through a situation before make making a decision. Unfortunately, when there is an airline emergency there's no time to think rationally. You have to react with the proper action as quickly as possible.

Oooh boy.....I have an old flack jacket if you'd like to borrow it Jacksen!

The bottom line is the more senority a pilot has, the better route he gets to fly.

Say on Delta you are flying from Atlanta to London, probably a 100% chance your pilot and first officer each have at least 30 years experience.

Say on Delta you are flying from Atlanta to Greenville, South Carolina. Chances are very good your pilot is a young new hire. Still experienced but maybe 5 years?

As long as the pilot isn't female.

Hmmmm... Jacksen, first of all, I'm a man. I'm defending the RIGHTS of women like my sisters and nieces and my friends who should not have a priori BS assumptions about their skills get in the way of doing things they're good at.

Second of all, regarding the question "to react with the proper action as quickly as possible", may I remind you of American 587? A fully-leaded Airbus hits wake turbulence. The pilot reacts quickly, but his violent rudder movements end up snapping the tail off the plane-- and crashing. Granted, very unusual circumstances, but that lightning-quick reaction was absolutely the wrong one-- more gentle inputs could have got them through that 747's wake.

Duhh-- ! "...fully-lOAded...." My eyes are going...!

About six years ago we were flying from Dublin to Paris and noticed when we boarded that there were two women in the cockpit. When my husband asked the flight attendent if the pilot was a woman, she replied "Yes, do you have a problem with that sir?" "Not at all," he answered, "I think it's great!" (That's why I married him!)

Jacksen
I'm taking nothing out of context. You are entitled to your opinion. This publication has the right to voice their opinion, that's what freedom of speech is. However, I draw the line at my believing their hogwash regarding fighting feminism and ending affirmative action because it is God's will. That is what their entire article is based on and they will make their articles say anything that falls into their belief system.

Jasksen, I have been a police officer for 23 years and have fought your type of beliefs all my service. In fact the only time I didn;t have to fight it was in one particularly risky situation when my male collegues left and I decided to go in. I was commended for bravery for that one, perhaps thats because their instincts told them to run!