I have no problem calling you ‘pilot’ or ‘Captain,’ Allie. I have no issue with paying you respect for your aviating accomplishments or “rank,” either. But the crap of a group of females with some sort of chip on their shoulders (IWOAW) taking exception to a simple word is a bit much. I think they may well have a short in their headsets? If you are so offended by some of the terms used generically without real animous, find a different line of work. If you’ve experienced negative feedback from some, sorry … it wasn’t me. Confusing the use of a generic word with an action taken by some people who mistake you for something else are two different things. I dare say it didn’t come from most of the fallacious men in this blog, either.
Elsewhere just now today on Avweb, they’re talking about the death of Katherine Johnson. She didn’t demand special names for herself. She quietly went about her work and was respected and admired and recognized for it. In fact, early on in my very long time at Edwards AFB, I worked with some of the early NACA “computers” who were transferred there years earlier from NACA Langley. Amazing ladies who were true genius’! No one ever ordered anyone to feel that way. When you’re in the midst of genius … you know it. As soon as you demand something – thinking the squeaky wheel gets the grease – you ain’t gettin’ it from me. In fact, I’ll gnaw my arms off to go the other way … on purpose. Sure wish I could print what I really think about this subject. Now then … bring me a drink and fly the damn airplane.