You're a professional, remove the stickers from your flight bag!

[suupah]

Why do pilots always compare their professionalism to doctors and lawyers? At one point in history that might have been an accurate comparison but not in todays age.
Here is what makes doctors and lawyers professionals. Advanced degrees, high pay, and treated like professionals from their employers/customers.
Here is what makes being a pilot not even close. Requires a high school diploma, Pay is comparable to a NYC bus driver, treated like a bus driver by employers/customers.
You are a mass transit provider. Stop putting yourself on a pedestal.

I couldn't agree more. I know a lot of doctors and lawyers and pilots on the average, myself included, are nowhere near the intellectual caliber of doctors and lawyers.

I would however argue that the dire consequences for incorrect action, the heavy burden of responsibility and the life sacrifices that we must make to pursue this career are probably close to dr's and lawyers though.

I do not like to compare our profession to the esteem of doctors and lawyers. I would say we are of a much higher technical caliber then a bus driver though functionally similar maybe.

 

[imacdog]

This thread reminds me why working for a regional was the worst two years in my career. Thanks for the memories kids.

 

[jonjuan]

I never included Air France. They've wrecked the Concorde, A340, A330, 747....

Technically, CAL wrecked the Concorde.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Technically, CAL wrecked the Concorde.

EAL scab to be specific, Hellonewwomans dad to be more specific...

 

[BigPappa]

Why do pilots always compare their professionalism to doctors and lawyers? At one point in history that might have been an accurate comparison but not in todays age.
Here is what makes doctors and lawyers professionals. Advanced degrees, high pay, and treated like professionals from their employers/customers.
Here is what makes being a pilot not even close. Requires a high school diploma, Pay is comparable to a NYC bus driver, treated like a bus driver by employers/customers.
You are a mass transit provider. Stop putting yourself on a pedestal.

Are you trying to say that you have no dignity or self-respect? That is the image you paint with such statements. Nobody will see you as a professional if you don't see yourself as one. Just wondering....

 

[Salukipilot4590]

I'm a professional aviator and guitarist.

I'll keep my In-N-Out and Fender stickers on my bag thank yoooouuuu.

 

[Freebrd]

Yum In-n-Out burgers, and rock on Mr Guitarist!

 

[greed]

What a moron. You paid $10 for that?

Maybe someone should make a sticker that says "Regional First Officers make $23,000 a year. Enjoy your $99 ticket, and keep whining about the service".

I think you hit the nail on the head!

 

[Captain Morgan]

Why do pilots always compare their professionalism to doctors and lawyers? At one point in history that might have been an accurate comparison but not in todays age.
Here is what makes doctors and lawyers professionals. Advanced degrees, high pay, and treated like professionals from their employers/customers.
Here is what makes being a pilot not even close. Requires a high school diploma, Pay is comparable to a NYC bus driver, treated like a bus driver by employers/customers.
You are a mass transit provider. Stop putting yourself on a pedestal.

Here's what makes a Doctor or Lawyer so different from being a pilot.

-Pilots strap into a 10,000-800,000 lbs. piece of metal hurtling through the air with considerable consequences to ourselves and passengers should we screw up.

-Pilots lead a dynamic and active work day working through all types of environmental stresses on the body including, time changes, circadian rhythm changes, dietary issues, susceptibility to health issues, increased susceptibility to STD's, family stresses, weather changes, altitude changes, rapid stress increases and decreases, etc. all the while doing our job reletively in the utmost professional manner.

-Even with the increased automation, we were at some point required to be a well rounded individual in the sense that not only did we have to be studious and somewhat intelligent, but we also needed to be coordinated and able to manipulate the controls in a decent manner.

I think you'll find that we actually are a very highly esteemed group because not just anybody can participate in this profession. Think about how many people tried to become pilots but quit at some point because they couldn't handle some aspect of the job. They couldn't hack it yet here we are.

We need to realize our worth and convey that image to the public with or without bag stickers. As far as those go, I would say just use good judgement on the type of stickers. I don't believe there is necessarily anything wrong with them. Mine is sticker free but some of them are pretty cool actually.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

. . . remove the stickers from your flight bag!

I was waiting for a flight when two sets of airline crews walked by. Both crews wore clean, sharp looking uniforms; both displayed personal grooming standards equal to or above any airline's requirements. Everything about these two sets of crews looked professional until they walked past my point of view and some stranger next to me asks, "Why do some pilots cover their flight bags in stickers? It looks unprofessional." I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. He was stating an obvious observation that so many of the traveling public think, but hardly say out loud.

Why do some of us feel the need to plaster our favorite ski resort, sports team, or political statement all over our flight bags? I'm just as much a fan and proud of the university I graduated from, but I wouldn't want my doctor to walk into the waiting room with a clip board covered with his alma mater's brand. Or my lawyer having his collegiate logo pasted on the side of his briefcase next to the sticker sporting his favorite local microbrew.

I hear pilots at all levels complain about not getting the respect that they once had, and maybe that will never change. But if I'm going to represent the commerical airline industry as a pilot, I would appreciate the guy (or gal) next to me looking some what professional. In addition to many other things, not having stickers covering their entire flight bag would be a good start.

Pilots, lawyers, and doctors. Not the same. Hate to break it to you.

 

[drinksonme]

Wow....people are envious of lawyers. Here are the list of lawyers I know:

1. Almost all of your politicians (They do a bang up job)
2. Almost all of the business executives in the country (combined with the lawyers above....America is in awesome shape
3. A friend from college working for a firm making $45,000 per year, does real estate on the side with his degree....making more. The guys pulling down the big cash will not retire or make room for more partners (that would mean there cut would be less). "Pay your dues" is what the senior partner told him. Sound familiar ......he has been there 10 years. Can not leave because there is nothing open or better....also familiar.
4. An ADA in PHX who has worked sex crimes....as a public defendant (oh fun, I have defend a rapist, child molester, kiddy porn folks who "can not afford an attorney") since he was hired 12 years ago. Funally was allowed to transfer to auto division...doing drunk drivers, hit and runs, etc. For his effort $56,000/yr.
5. A few out of work lawyers...job market is flooded and only the connected are getting jobs....sound familiar.

So for those of you that envy lawyer, there just as many lawyers that envy pilots. I personally think people, who think being lawyer is just awesome, either watch to much TV/movies or think everyone of them making the money OJ's defense team got.

The only reason to even pursue a law degree is for the doors it opens in finance, real estate, and business.....but guess what, to be successful, noticed or become connected, you will either have to bust your ass.....or be willing to do dirty stuff. You cool with that, go get your degree with the 10,000+ other people who enter law school every year. If you can get into Harvard, Princeton, etc... do some slimmy stuff, become a good ole boy, or have dirt on someone....I guess you will be my boss, or representative soon....congrats

 

[COOPERVANE]

Totally agree. Becoming a lawyer is NOT hard.

A doctor on the other hand....

 

[labbats]

Here's what makes a Doctor or Lawyer so different from being a pilot.

-Pilots strap into a 10,000-800,000 lbs. piece of metal hurtling through the air with considerable consequences to ourselves and passengers should we screw up.

-Pilots lead a dynamic and active work day working through all types of environmental stresses on the body including, time changes, circadian rhythm changes, dietary issues, susceptibility to health issues, increased susceptibility to STD's, family stresses, weather changes, altitude changes, rapid stress increases and decreases, etc. all the while doing our job reletively in the utmost professional manner.

-Even with the increased automation, we were at some point required to be a well rounded individual in the sense that not only did we have to be studious and somewhat intelligent, but we also needed to be coordinated and able to manipulate the controls in a decent manner.

I think you'll find that we actually are a very highly esteemed group because not just anybody can participate in this profession. Think about how many people tried to become pilots but quit at some point because they couldn't handle some aspect of the job. They couldn't hack it yet here we are.

We need to realize our worth and convey that image to the public with or without bag stickers. As far as those go, I would say just use good judgement on the type of stickers. I don't believe there is necessarily anything wrong with them. Mine is sticker free but some of them are pretty cool actually.

Wait. What?

 

[Freebrd]

Wait. What?

c'mon you know 'what', partying with them FAs

 

[ex j-41]

Pilots, lawyers, and doctors. Not the same. Hate to break it to you.

Well even after all the continued beating we get from management and the public we still get people safely from A to B. That my friend is professionalism.

 

[GINCHBLASTER]

I can deal with the flight stickers. What I find unprofessional is the flight bags being held together with packing or duct tape. The same guys will complain about not making enough money to get a new bag, but have a smartphone or iPad with a data plan, and get Starbucks multiple times a day. Not to mention we get a uniform stipend every year.

 

[Clutch]

I'm not going to buy another $300 bag if the company keeps dangling the EFB carrot. Blow me

 

[Freebrd]

i'm not going to buy another $300 bag if the company keeps dangling the efb carrot. Blow me

+1


tfatyd!

 

[chqflyer]

Here's what makes a Doctor or Lawyer so different from being a pilot.

-Pilots strap into a 10,000-800,000 lbs. piece of metal hurtling through the air with considerable consequences to ourselves and passengers should we screw up.

-Pilots lead a dynamic and active work day working through all types of environmental stresses on the body including, time changes, circadian rhythm changes, dietary issues, susceptibility to health issues, increased susceptibility to STD's, family stresses, weather changes, altitude changes, rapid stress increases and decreases, etc. all the while doing our job reletively in the utmost professional manner.

-Even with the increased automation, we were at some point required to be a well rounded individual in the sense that not only did we have to be studious and somewhat intelligent, but we also needed to be coordinated and able to manipulate the controls in a decent manner.

I think you'll find that we actually are a very highly esteemed group because not just anybody can participate in this profession. Think about how many people tried to become pilots but quit at some point because they couldn't handle some aspect of the job. They couldn't hack it yet here we are.

We need to realize our worth and convey that image to the public with or without bag stickers. As far as those go, I would say just use good judgement on the type of stickers. I don't believe there is necessarily anything wrong with them. Mine is sticker free but some of them are pretty cool actually.

Oh come on. Any ********************tard with a big enough checkbook can become a pilot through one of the countless puppy mills or buy your job scams. A doctor or lawyer requires years of real education plus a lifetime of continuing education. A pilot is just TRAINED to hit the correct button at the right time and then put down the USA Today long enough to drive to the gate. There is no comparison. How many advertisements do you see for "zero time to heart surgeon in 6 months!!" ? Only $110,999!! Call Jakes Heart Surgery Academy today!! My sense of self worth is just fine, but this Dr. comparison crap is just old. Aviation used to be a very prestigious calling when only ex military pilots could fly airliners. Uncle Sam is extremely picky about who he lets play with his toys. Literally anyone with the cash or credit can buy a job today.

 

[ex j-41]

I agree with the above post. But things are changing. Soon being a pilot will be for the rich only. And a few military folks. Check out the statistics. http://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/civil_airmen_statistics/2011/
Private Pilot certificates have declined steadily and we now have less ATP pilots in the system. THat number may get skewed soon by the f/o's getting the rating. But think about the extra 5 years of no retirements and it didn't make the ATP numbers go up. Remember these are active pilots only. (I am assuming they mean that these people hold current medicals).
If you look at the average age of ATP pilots you will find in 2002 it was 46 and now 49. I remember the age in 1997 was 41.