You might be somewhat disarmed to find that the sexist note left for a female WestJet pilot was penned in Canada in the year 2014. A passenger, en route from Calgary to Victoria, felt necessary to express his dissatisfaction that the person flying the plane wasn't in possession of the right kind of tackle.
Even though Carey Steacy has racked up plenty of miles in her 17-year career as a pilot, she received this missive from “David” on board Flight No. 463, claiming that the cockpit of an airplane is “no place for a woman.”
“A woman being a mother is the most honour, not as ‘captain,’” he wrote, before requesting that he be notified the next time “a fair lady is at the helm, so I can book another flight!” On Air Misogyny, presumably.
To Steacy's credit, according to an article in Metro, she posted this perfect response to David on Facebook:
“I respectfully disagree with your opinion that the ‘cockpit’ (we now call it the flight deck as no cocks are required) is no place for a lady,” she said. “In fact, there are no places that are not for ladies anymore.”
Steacy also added, "Now, back to my most important role, being a mother.”
Apparently, fewer than six per cent of all commercial pilots are women—a depressing fact that prompted B.C. pilot Kirsten Brazier to set up The Sky’s No Limit—Girls Fly Too!
The event, taking place at Langley Regional Airport this weekend in celebration of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week, aims to nurture careers in aviation by giving women free helicopter rides.
“Anytime people see something that’s not what they’re used to, there’s some resentment there,” said Brazier.
Oh Captain, my captain!
This commercial nailed double standards at work.
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