In a baffling move that raises questions about priorities, the world’s largest airline pilot union, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), is urging its members to abandon terms they deem offensive to women and LGBTQ individuals. The union, representing over 70,000 pilots worldwide, insists that terms like “cockpit” are non-inclusive and should be replaced.
According to a diversity, equity, and inclusion language guide released in 2021, ALPA lists numerous terms and phrases to avoid, particularly “masculine generalizations.” The guide claims that using inclusive language is vital for the union’s solidarity and flight safety. One of the suggested changes is replacing “cockpit” with “flight deck.” The guide argues that “cockpit” can be used derogatorily to exclude women from the piloting profession, despite its historical origins.
Wall Street Journal columnist and linguist Ben Zimmer provided a historical context for the term “cockpit.” It originated from 16th-century English cockfighting, where a circular pit with a barrier kept gamecocks from escaping. The term evolved to describe boisterous and tense environments and was later used for areas on British warships where surgeons treated the wounded. This context seems to contradict the union’s modern interpretation.
ALPA’s guide goes further, recommending the avoidance of terms like “man” and “men.” It suggests using “people power” instead of “manpower” and advises against using “guys” when addressing groups, to be inclusive of all gender identities. Additionally, the guide discourages using “mother/father” to avoid alienating diverse family structures and suggests avoiding “husband/wife” to acknowledge same-sex couples.
The union’s push for these changes has sparked criticism. Kyle Bailey, a former Federal Aviation Administration safety team representative, told Fox News Digital, “Diversity really has nothing to do with safe travel. It’s all a matter of flight time, your credentials, your background, how much flight experience you have and your training.” Bailey emphasized that piloting is predominantly a male occupation, adding, “You don’t find little girls when they’re 10 years old saying, ‘Hey, I want to be an airline pilot.’”
Major airlines have also faced backlash for their DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) agendas. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby drew criticism after a video resurfaced of him boasting about the company’s diversity initiatives. He claimed the company aims to ensure 50% of their graduating pilot classes are women or people of color, up from 19% in 2023. Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), responded to this initiative by saying, “This is messed up.”
J. Michael Waller, Senior Analyst at the Center for Security Policy, added, “He [Kirby] can always set a good example and resign immediately, leaving his high-paid position, salary, bonuses, and stock options to someone more diverse.”
In the midst of these controversies, one must wonder if the focus on woke language and diversity quotas is the right approach for an industry where safety and experience should be paramount. It appears that prioritizing politically correct language over practical qualifications could lead to more significant issues in the aviation sector. As the push for DEI continues, it’s crucial to remember that the ultimate goal should be ensuring safe and efficient travel for all passengers, not just checking diversity boxes.
