Yahoo News EasyJet pilot reveals shocking sexist comments she receives from passengers
A female EasyJet pilot has revealed the shocking sexist comments she receives from male passengers including one who said he would not have got on the plane if he had known she was flying it.
Charlotte Knowlson said she was “baffled” after one man boarding her flight on Saturday said: “I won’t make any jokes about female drivers then.”
A second man added: “Are you the pilot? If I’d have known that, I wouldn’t have got on.”
The pilot questioned why the passengers felt the comments were “necessary” in a tweet shared almost 12,000 times.
Hitting out at the remarks, she added: “Fact is, I can fly an £80m jet, you can’t.”
Had such a lovely day flying with an 👌 crew.
Baffled as to why 2 male pax felt that these comments were nescesarry.
‘I wont make any jokes about female drivers then’
‘Are you the pilot? If I’d know that I wouldnt have got on’
Fact is, I can fly an £80m jet, you can’t.— Charlotte (@pilotcharlotte) May 20, 2018
Ms Knowlson told followers she had laughed-off the comments before a female cabin crew member expressed her frustration.
She said: “Being used to this kind of humour, my reaction of course was to be professional, laugh and ask them if they were enjoying the flight. It wasn't unit later when a cabin crew member expressed her anger at the comment that it made me think. Why is this normal?”
My career is my dream, always has been. I always wanted to be able to inspire more women [to be pilots], especially the younger generations, so that we can change people’s perceptions on what is still a man’s world. I take this as part of my job.
— Charlotte (@pilotcharlotte) May 23, 2018
A third tweet added: “It is this attitude that puts women off and another barrier stopping them from going into male dominated careers. It shouldn’t even be a thing!!! I am a pilot he is a pilot. See, there is no difference ...”
Ms Knowlson received an outpouring of support following her revelation.
I wonder how these people would cope with a female surgeon about to save their life.
— Brian O'Keefe (@rider45) May 20, 2018
She was hailed “epic” and an “inspiration” by followers.
One person said: “Well, if they don't like women pilots they're free to get off and walk.”
You’re inspiring women and men of all generations! I’ll be retweeting to spread the word. ✊️
— Adam W. Warner (@wpmodder) May 23, 2018
Another added: “My wife’s a pilot, every time she flies she gets a ‘well done dear’ or similar from holidaymakers. None of the troops she flew into Bastion or Kandahar felt the need to patronise her.”
Thank you for being an awesome role model! Can’t wait to show my 3 daughters this!
— Sonya (@SimplySonya74) May 21, 2018
A female firefighter wrote: “It's pathetic. Men say it because they feel intimidated by women who do better than they do. Then, when the women calls them out on in, they claim it's banter & a joke. It's not. It's boring, tedious & tiresome. Jokes are funny. Banter is brilliant. Misogynistic men are neither.
“You're just all round amazing. Everyone should be looking up to you. Why wouldn't men want their daughters to be as epic as you? That's what baffles me.”
An easyjet spokeswoman said: “This highlights that there continues to be a deep seated view in society that being a pilot is a role for men. easyJet is working hard to change this and encourage more women to join this hugely rewarding profession and we believe that no other airline is doing more on this issue.
“In 2015 we launched our Amy Johnson Initiative to encourage more women to become a pilot and set a target that 20% of new pilots should be female by 2020. Since then we have increased our new entrant female pilot intake from 6% to 13% so are well on our way to achieving our 2020 target.
“easyJet pilots have visited over 150 schools since launching our Amy Johnson Initiative and have partnered with Girlguiding UK to sponsor the new aviation badge for Brownies, to inspire the next generation of pilots.”
