Pilots are being told to avoid non-inclusive language, including the word “cockpit”, under guidance from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).
The ALPA, which is the world’s largest pilot union and represents more than 70,000 members, issued a DEI language guide 2021 urging airmen and women to avoid certain phrases in a bid to remove “masculine generalizations”.
“Cockpit” has been deemed non-inclusive as, according to the guidance, “many women have heard a variation of ‘It is called a cockpit for a reason’ by a male pilot”. This is despite the word originating from a 16th century blood sport called cockfighting (fighting between male roosters) before it was later adapted into use by World War One fighter pilots.
Other terms ALPA deems must be avoided include “manpower” (with “people power” preferred) while pilots are also encouraged to avoid using “mother/father”, “husband/wife” and “boyfriend/girlfriend”.
ALPA said in a statement to Fox News that “opening the doors of opportunity to ensure we have a robust supply of qualified aviators” is not a “real threat” to aviation safety.
It’s safe to say that digital passengers questioned the union’s priorities.
Others could only express their disbelief at the news.
Away from aviation, some feared their beloved mojitos and margaritas would soon be subject to a different name.
2024 has not been the best year for aviation. Thankfully, we can all be assured that our air travel is just that little bit safer now that those evil, centuries-old terms have been replaced in the name of DEI…
When I took up flying Cessna 150’s and Cessna 172’s back in the 1970’s and 80’s I would sit LEFT SEAT and it WAS THE COCKPIT. Had nothing
to do with sex. As a female Pilot I was accepted. In fact, it was extra interesting and fun to be around the pilots and instructors. Some of the
instructors were Pilots in WWII and then Korea. I also functioned as the LINE BOY, on my weekend job at a small Connecticut Airport. The
ONLY LINE BOY WITH PAINTED TOENAILS. I enjoyed the fact that most of the students and all but one of the flight instructors were men.
This WOKE business is a lot of CRAP. Generally warm blooded animals on Earth including humans are two sexes. That is the way they were
made. Why fight it. Enjoy being whatever sex you are – male or female. I never let the fact that I was female hold me back from doing what
I wanted to do. Viva la difference!
I can assure you that this nonsense is coming from ALPA, and not from the pilots.
Typically a cockpit is found on fighter aircraft. On commercial passenger planes it is a ‘flight deck’. The word is a non-issue but I get the point.
What is the point?
I went to aviation school for five years, got 5000 hours of training flight time, graduated and got hired as a pilot by an air cargo carrier. The second day on the job someone said “cockpit”. Now I work at Starbucks (and have lavender hair).
Now THAT’S funny. I’ll ave the macchiato chai tea with no ice, no cup and no cover.
That’s why I don’t fly.
What a load of crap. Only the most privileged have the time to waste on stuff like this. Maslow’s hierarchy in action, only in the Twilight Zone.
You can take a dump in your chair and say you planted roses but trust me, the name you use to describe what’s in your chair doesn’t change anything.