Happy Thursday, everyone! And now, here's your daily reminder that sexism is alive and sucks a big one. A female WestJet pilot has posted a note from a male passenger that, while short, packs a powerful misogynistic punch, oscillating between brashly sexist ("The cockpit of an airline is no place for a woman" and "I wish WestJet could tell me a fair lady is at the helm so I can book another flight"), grammatically confusing/brashly sexist ("A woman being a mother is the most honor") and, for good measure, preachy (random "Proverbs 31" shout-out).
Obviously, this dude is an over-the-top sexist A-hole. But it's worth pointing out that it's highly likely the guy had legitimately never seen a woman pilot before.
By WestJet's own admission following the note's reveal, it employs 58 female pilots compared to 1,118 male pilots. That's a grand total of 5%, which is right in line with other research done over the years: apparently, about 5% of the Air Line Pilot Association is female, and it's been reported that women constitute about 6% of pilots in Western countries. On the bright side, pilot conventions are one of the few places where woman finally don't have to wait in long restroom lines (haha!)
So, why aren't ladies taking to the friendly (or apparently, sometimes not-so-friendly) skies? Most speculate it has to do with the extensive training, long hours and time away from home demanded of the job, which makes that mothering business difficult—though apparently, is A-OK for dads. This is theoretically fine: if women don't want that lifestyle, that's their choice. But as it goes with sexism, one fears this perpetuates a vicious cycle in which women who actually do want to fly planes are scared out of of it by the dearth of ladies like them. (Oh, and the "sexy stewardess" thing doesn't help.)
With that said, let's take a moment to celebrate the female pilots pushing for change. Organizations such as The Ninety-Nines (initially started by 99 female pilots) and The International Society of Women Airline Pilots actively promote the career through support and scholarships for women. And props to the female pilot who posted this ridiculous note and retorted, among other things, that it's no longer called the "cockpit" because "no c*cks are required."
Sing it, sister. And we hope to see more like you leading the way at 33,000 feet.
Image of the fierce Amelia Earhart (aw, yeah): Wikimedia Commons
