United Airlines has announced a new diversity initiative intended to guarantee that 8 years from now, fully half of their new pilots will be women and people of color. So far, there is no word on how many will be illegal aliens, LGBTQ+ (who will naturally fly biplanes), or Uber drivers looking for a side gig.
Currently, women and people of color represent a relatively small percentage of airline pilots, which can apparently be blamed entirely on the racist and sexist attitudes of airline HR departments that use job applications with trick questions like "do you know how to fly?"
Only kidding, of course. The real reason for the under-representation, according to a United Airlines employee who wishes to remain imaginary, is "black applicants don't have any I.D. and women can't commit the time to pilot training because of their unwanted pregnancies." Situations which, tragically, didn't improve under Donald Trump.
Of course, we'd personally be fine with pilots of any color or gender as long as they were in the cockpit solely because of merit. But affirmative action programs have painfully taught us that this isn't how the system really works. In order to hit the right numbers for quotas/goals, standards will always be lowered. Unlike the landing gear when these new pilots turn routine landings into tragic headlines.
IN MEMORIAM: Rem1875 & Judi King
We've subsequently learned of the passing of Judi King, who has likewise been a cherished presence here on the blog. Both of them will be greatly missed.
41 comments:
I suppose it's now racist and misogynistic to want the most-qualified people in the cockpit of the aircraft in which I fly. I don't give 2 hoots about the skin color or presence of a Y chromosome in the captain, 1st officer, or flight engineer!!
"Di-ver-sit-ty I spoke the word as if a wedding vow,
Ah, but I was so more racist then, I'm woke-er than that now."
With apologies to R. Zimmermann.
But help is on the horizon; CDC is on the job:
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/547251-cdc-director-says-racism-is-serious-public-health-threat?rnd=1617917138
Shakespeare nailed it (as usual) Stilt! “O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason”! I'm not sure which terrifies me more; flying in an aircraft piloted by one of these affirmative action cretins, or in one designed by them!
Wow, so sorry to hear about the passing of Rem 1875. Condolences to all his family and friends!
Perhaps United should take a step back and look where it's airline pilots come from: the vast majority are ex military I am told. Sooooo.
The Soviets didn't build a containment structure around the Chernobyl reactor because their communist dogma ensured that such trivialities as physics were inconsequential in the face of of the strength of their ideology.
Similarly, the Woke of our generation think that qualifications, actual knowledge and ability are irrelevant in the face of social justice. Methinks that physics (and gravity) will again prevail.
Defund the cops and send in the social workers. How has that worked out so far? To have progressed so far in technology, one would think that there were at least a few people in positions of responsibility that were...Responsible? But, alas, none to be found.
From now on it's Southwest. Or I'll drive.
(RIP, Rem 1875)
@ Snark: I am guessing you may have watched the miniseries Chernobyl?
Why can't they just promote Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from Navigator to Pilot?
@Joe Jetson, probably because Kareem won't fit into a Pilot? Just guessing here...
I think it matters not one hoot what gender, race, diversity or education level a flight crew is composed. My studies have indicated what causes most plane crashes is the ground.
RIP Rem 1875.
Another of your readers has also just passed. My sister: Judi King.
One female pilot once said she doesn't do her job in a cockpit, but in a box office.
@Geoff.. sorry to hear your sis passed away. I always liked reading about what was on her mind.
May she and REM1875 Rest In Peace.
But wait! There's more. One of the minorities being ignored are us old people over 75 years' of age. (I'm 78). Just because we can't see, hear, talk, remember things (like where we're going), and have to pee all the time doesn't mean that we can't pilot a giant aircraft with 500 people aboard. I can just see it now "where's the clutch pedal on this thing?" "Is it a 3 speed or a 4 speed?" OLD PEOPLE UNITE!! Now, where did I leave my moonshine?"
After a surprisingly rough landing in Phoenix, the flight attendant’s voice came over the loudspeaker to apologize for the rough landing. But, she wanted us to know it wasn’t the plane’s fault, nor was it the pilot’s fault. It was the asphalt.
How come the NBA has so many non-white players? Hmmm?
Rip REM1875 and Judi. We will miss your insights and humor.
I don't know for sure, but I suspect Asiana Flight 214 might have had affirmative action pilots at the controls...
RIP to REM1875 and to Judi. You'll be missed.
FACT: FAA requires that all commercial pilots leave the cockpit at age 65. So Fred Ciampi you're not to far off. Maybe some "woke" politicians will change the FAA requirements on age restrictions as well. I for can't wait for a 16 year old, gender neutral, color neutral, space cadet to be in the left seat.
God protects Politicians, Drunks, and Children.
@Bobo: Remember always the First Commandment of aviation: "Mind well thy altitude and airspeed, lest the earth rise up and smite thee."
Because he doesn’t work hard on defense and doesn’t run down the court most of the time, plus he only really tries during the playoffs.
Joe Jetson - Got the Clearance, Clarence? Rodger, Rodger!
Geoff - sorry for your loss, and condolences. Even if you didn't always get along (she seemed to snipe at you a bit) I'm sure you'll miss her, On occasion. I sure will, she was a pistol! May they both rest peacefully in the arms of the lord...
While not being overly religious I am what I consider spiritual. As such I remember these Bible verses that brought me comfort when dealing with the loss of loved ones in death.
John 5:25-28
Believe me, an important time is coming. That time is already here. People who are dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. Life comes from the Father himself. So the Father has also allowed the Son to give life. And the Father has given him the power to judge all people because he is the Son of Man. “Don’t be surprised at this. A time is coming when all people who are dead and in their graves will hear his voice.
Until recently this sort of insanity was mostly confined within the walls of academia and middle-management of government. The collateral damage was relatively limited or went largely unnoticed because it was buried within the inherent inefficiency that we already assume from these organization.
But roughly a year or so ago, it started to become obvious that the disease had finally escaped its hosts and had started to metastasize all over the private economy. I had always assumed that the private economy (outside of fashion brands anyway) would largely eschew the insanity as a threat to their own profitability, if not very survival. It appears as though I was wrong. Today, corporate America has gone full-woke at warp speed. I am not yet certain how much of this is just cheap virtue signalling to just get along, or how much of it is actual fascism, with representatives of the deep state in the background telling these CEOs to play ball or face their wrath.
For example, over the last year United Airlines has received roughly $8-billion from the federal government. You think money like that shows up without strings?
Another thing to consider is that people are happy to pay lip service to "diversity" when they can assume that agendas to enforce it won't be affecting their personal well-being. But will they be so favorable about it when they're sitting in the back of the plane?
Whether this actually happens or not only time will tell. Flying a plane, especially one with dozens to hundreds of paying passengers on board requires a certain acumen that the general public, especially these days, does not posses. (I am a private pilot, albeit a decades inactive one and have many professional pilot friends for whom I know are rolling their eyes at this nonsense) Also consider that much of the problem has nothing to do with race per-se, but economics. Unless you come up through the military (which fewer do these days) becoming a pilot is extremely expensive and makes little economic sense. Easily between one and two-hundred-thousand dollars in training and flying to build enough time before the airlines can even consider you, and then for entry-level positions that pay little more than burger-flipper wages in hope of getting a job with the majors in a decade or two. Most people who are pilots are people who are self-driven to become so. The reality is that as a demographic, comparatively few people of color have access to the resources to make that a viable career choice and would rather find a career that is more economically accessible and pays off economically sooner.
Re Rem1875: Sorry to hear this. Part of the problem with a forum such as this is that it's easy for people to slip away without notice, so it's good that we at least know. May he rest in peace.
An echo of Obama's decision to throw out the requirements for training and skill to qualify for employment as a air traffic controller
RIP to Rem and Judi.
I'm to the point where I'm finally on the verge of getting a will and living will, using a lawyer I met on the recent prairie fires. It was some of his ground being burnt. I've been trying to get rid of stuff. I've got hundreds of books I'm trying to figure out where they could go where they'd actually be appreciated, ranging from P.G. Wodehouse to highly technical stuff. I sort of inherited my Father's trophy Japanese sword when he passed in '98 (sort of: my Mother charged me $400!). I passed that on to a godson/nephew a couple of years ago. One wants to be sure certain items go where they'll be valued.
Your news about the airline crewing would horrify me, if I had any intention of ever getting on a commercial flight again. No longer needing to do so for business I have no reason to. It was a degrading ordeal as it was, especially sitting on the damned floor, taking my shoes off and on. Don't get me started on the ever-shrinking size of the cheap seats and charging extra for baggage. Then there's the yahoos who try to shove refrigerators, apparently, into the overhead.
If Kareem encounters trouble as Captain, there's always Dunn or the auto-pilot (although the auto pilot WAS white).
Geoff,
I'm very sorry to hear about your sister. I pray you are doing OK.
I'm also sorry to hear of REM's passing. I guess most of us here at Stilton's Place are not youngsters, but it's still sad when you lose someone, even if it's a fellow blogger that you never met in person. Both he and Judi will be missed!
@Sergio- Exactly! Indeed, if they're the most qualified I'd insist on a female or POC pilot.
@rickn8or- I saw that story last night and pounded my head on the desk. Had it been earlier, that would definitely have made it to the front page of the blog today.
@Fritzchen- For me, flying is frightening enough without needing to worry if there's an affirmative action hire in the cockpit.
@Maoz- Rem1875 has been a fixture here roughly forever. And reading down the comments, I've learned that Judi King has also passed. A doubly sad day here.
@Fish Out of Water- Like you, it's my understanding that a lot of airline pilots come out of the military. If that creates "disparate impact," so be it. NOTHING matters but qualification in the cockpit.
@Spec-Ops- And did you have to check your shaggy dog when flying? (grin)
@Snark- Great points. The Wokies genuinely believe that their feelings can outweigh physics. As demonstrated by nearly every aspect of the "Green New Deal."
@Fish Out of Water- I haven't seen "Chernobyl" yet but hear it was great (in a terrifying way).
@Joe Jetson- Because they're on instruments up there? (Cue ragtime band)
@igor- He won't fit into a pilot or into a pilot's seat? It makes a difference...
@Bobo- Yes, but the right flight crew can avoid the ground more expertly.
@Geoff King- I'm so very sorry. Judi was always a very welcome voice here. I've amended the blog post today to add her name where everyone can see it. I won't lie - this has become a sad day for me.
@Unknown- But the joystick hasn't changed its name, right..?
@Bobo- Indeed.
@Velveeta: Have I got a shoe story for you. A number of years ago, in my professional life, I and others had to fly to Bloomington Normal airport for an annual meeting. Now this airport is a small airport serviced by puddle jumpers, so not much on the way of passenger traffic or pre boarding Security check volume.
It was summer and prior to the return trip, I decided to shed the business suit for more cooler, casual wear and put my socks away and put my loafers back on.
At security I was told to remove my loafers. OK, whatever I thought. But the ace DHS person manning the check point not only waned my shoes, but my bare feet as well before allowing me to pass through!!!
@Fred Ciampi- The problem with having old people pilot passenger airlines is that they leave the turn signal on for hundreds of miles.
@Bobo- At least there was a concrete explanation.
@TrickyRicky- I agree about the NBA. If the qualifications for playing create "disparate impact," then the qualifications need to be changed to ensure diversity. No NBA team should be less than 50% female, nor more than 15% black. There should also be some players in wheelchairs out there. Shouldn't Johnny Optimism be able to dream?
@M. Mitchell Marmel- I can envision a tense moment in the cockpit when, over open water, the pilot and co-pilot turned to each other and said "I thought you were a real pilot!"
@Redleger- I'll take some comfort from the fact that the FAA acknowledges that Joe Biden shouldn't be flying an aircraft. But...isn't running the free world even harder and more dangerous to the public?
@John D Egbert- Gospel truth.
@Kayakfish- Great callback to the movie!
@Pete(Detroit)- I'm going to have to watch "Airplane!" again soon.
@American Cowboy- Good words.
@John the Econ- Excellent points. And I'm guessing that the new "diversity" recruits heading into United's flight school won't have all of the qualifications you list. By the way, United has guaranteed that 100% of those accepted into their flight school will subsequently be hired by United. Maybe not as pilots, but somewhere in a potentially vulnerable system.
@txchef- Yep. We're all living in Obama's wet dream now.
@Velveeta Processed Cheese Food- Mrs J and I have done our Wills, but I still have loads of stuff to get rid of so that no one else will be burdened when I eventually conk. Vintage comic books and toy robots, tons of video and audio production materials and equipment, and a nice collection of books about human oddities. Hey, I am what I am.
And like you, I have no plans to fly again. I have mixed feelings about not going much of anywhere, but delight in the idea that I won't again be sealed in one of those flying coffins. (Yes, I'm a white-knuckle kind of flier)
@Colby Muenster- I think our demographic on this blog does tend to run to the "mature," and sadly that means we're going to lose friends more often than we'd like. Darn it.
@Fish Out of Water- Hey, they had to wand your feet to make sure they weren't potential (toe)nail bombs.
May God bless Judi and Rem. Thoughts to you also Geoff.
Rest in Paradise
Sorry to hear of the passing of your friend.
In the near future, only a pilot and a fog will be in the cockpit. The pilot's job will be to feed the dog. The dog's job will be to bite the pilot if he tries to touch anything.
"By the way, United has guaranteed that 100% of those accepted into their flight school will subsequently be hired by United. Maybe not as pilots, but somewhere in a potentially vulnerable system."
Well, SOMEBODY has to break the guitars...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
I guarantee that none of these token pilots will ever get near AF1.
What could possible go wrong with hiring pilots strictly by a "diversity" mandate?
They wouldn't be flying into government buildings, or sky-scrapers, or crashing into the ground. . .would they?
United's announcement of their diversity wokeness may not immediately be as bad as some think. Their planes can fly by computer as well as or maybe better than they can fly by human pilot. So their affirmative-diversity-action pilots will just be window dressing, until too many people die in crashes. Then United will quietly go back to hiring totally qualified pilots, or else the company will be destroyed by claims against them for the lost lives and disappear anyway.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Rem and Judi. I've been lurking more than posting lately, but I remember both of them fondly from their activity here. Either of them offered more insight than any talking head on TV.
Newsflash; There was a school shooting in Knoxville, Tennessee. One dead.
To the tune Eleanor Rigby
Another school shooting.
In this land,
so bad,
the gun yes they'll blame,
every day.
School in Knoxville,
it is so sad
the world
will see this
and stay
FAR AWAY
Visit? No way.
All the mental people
where do they all come from.
All the psycho weirdos,
I know where they belong,
AWW!
Commit all these psycho assholes.
AWW!
To the LOONY PATCH they should go.
Tune then: Won't you drop kick me Jesus, through the goal posts of life. To to the left and not to the right.
Tune now: Please drop little Jose, from atop that big wall. Make sure a coyote, is there to break his fall.
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