why are pilots so proud?

Flying airplanes is not everyone's cup of tea.

Flying tends to attract people who are more type ‘A' personalities due to the nature of the career choice. Pilots go through a very rigorous training process, followed by years of personal and career development.

Most airline pilots are very regimented and have a high level of self confidence due to the fact that they have worked diligently to develop a high standard of performance that the job requires.

Most pilots are rightfully proud of their achievements and career accomplishments. By the time an individual becomes an airline pilot, he or she has also most likely become a very professional individual as well. Again, this is the requirement of an aviation career. Many non-pilot types often confuse assertiveness and self-confidence with a big ego when just the opposite is true! In fact, ‘ego' is considered in aviation as contributing to one of the five hazardous attitudes pilots strive to avoid.

Most of my colleagues are effective, capable professionals who consciously “check their ego at the flight deck door” in the interest of safety. Most people who are not pilots have no idea of the high standard that pilots hold themselves to, nor do they understand or care about the substantial personal and financial sacrifices the pilots flying their airplane have made to have the privileged of sitting on the flight deck.

Sadly, many people form their opinions of pilots based on what they see in the movies, on TV, or overhear some young, new private pilot bragging about before he or she has had the time and experience to develop into an aviation professional.

As a professional pilot  and one who works with many other pilots, I can assure you that the vast majority of career aviators are serious, highly-trained professionals who understand what is required of them to make each and every flight as safe as possible.

These individuals work everyday in a stressful environment that demands their highest levels of leadership, knowledge, judgment, skill, and assertiveness. The stakes are high and they do not take their responsibility lightly!

This being said, some pilots do not have a lot of tolerance for ignorant actions or ignorant people. Pilots tend to be direct and even sometimes gruff. Don't take this as a sign of a swaggering, egotistical idiot. It is just a no nonsense way of getting the job done.

Pilots work extremely hard to ensure their passengers and cargo get safely to the destination. Their job is a big one that dominates every aspect of their life and even the lives of their family. They do it because it is something they love.

Most are happy to talk about their job and their pride shows up in their conversation. This isn't simply a big ego… it is well deserved pride in meeting the demands of a difficult and rewarding job.

America has many professionals in many fields who are just as accomplished as professional pilots, but people rarely comment unfavorably on their egos.

Unfortunately, aviation is often unfairly represented in the movies and news media. When an airliner has an accident or incident, it is always immediate national news, sensationalized to the max!

The pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, fuelers, bag handlers, gate agents, ticket agents, managers, dispatchers, schedulers, and many others all know this. The deal with problems, weather, angry passengers, massive regulations and numerous challenges every single day to get you where you want to go as safely as possible. Most people have very little understanding of just how much effort, planning and expense goes into getting them safely to their destination. Professional aviation is a deadly serious business that has nothing to do with a big ego! Pride in a job well done is an entirely different matter! I work with some of the finest pilots, crews and mechanics in the world and I am thankful to have the skills and abilities to be a part of this amazing group that I hold in such high respect! I am also humble at the same time because every time the wheels leave the runway, it is up to me to meet the required standard and get the job done correctly. Failure is not an option… ever. So…. my friend, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride because I am the best and I WILL get you there safely! Ego? Nope! Just a well trained professional doing his job. I wish you a lifetime of happy flying and success in all you do, and I hope your career choice is as rewarding for you as mine has been for me! I also hope you develop the depth of character to appreciate all the amazingly talented and accomplished people with whom you associate every day! Every person has a story and you can learn from each one! Aim high and work hard. Your choices and actions dictate your success…. nothing more… nothing less.

Captain. Mutebe Tony. 

Instructor; KAC flying school(Skymax aviation limited)

(Top Flight school in East Africa)

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