The largest airline pilot’s union, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) called for more diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) among its members, according to a recently-exposed 2021 language guide.
The guide, as reported by Breitbart, urged pilots to refrain from using terminology such as “cockpit,” “airmen,” “manpower,” and other masculine words in order to “create a more inclusive workplace.”
“While the word ‘cockpit’ dates back to the 1900s, it has been and may be used in a derogatory way to exclude women in the piloting profession,” the guide stated.
“Many women have heard a variation of ‘It is called a cockpit for a reason’ by a male pilot, suggesting that women do not belong in the piloting profession. The intent behind the use of the word is important,” it adds.
The ALPA also suggests refraining from “mother” and “father,” as these terms “ignore different family structures.”
The union stood by its 2021 guidance in a statement to Fox News: “Flying is the safest mode of transportation in the world thanks in large part to airline pilots, professionals that are all held to the highest training and qualification standards,” it said. “There are real threats to aviation safety like efforts to replace pilots with automation or lower training and experience standards, but opening the doors of opportunity to ensure we have a robust supply of qualified aviators isn’t one of them.”
American Faith reported that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has a “commitment” to diversity targets.
“We have committed that 50% of the classes will be women or people of color. Today, only 19% of our pilots are women or people of color,” he said. “That’s the highest of any airline in the country,” he added.
United Airlines also has a DEI Committee.
The chair of United Airline’s DEI, Maya Tallman, wrote in a letter that “B” should also be included in DEI programs, standing for “belonging.”
