View Poll Results: How many times have you been ignored or talked down to by other pilots?
Too often!
12
20.00%
Occasionally
26
43.33%
Never
22
36.67%
Voters: 60. This poll is closed
Our Secret Society
Join Date: Jun 2001
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The first group of instructors I came across many years ago were a bunch of hour-building little boys whose arrogance was breathtaking and whose interest in teaching students was less than nil. If you weren't talked down to, you were ignored - unless you had something to offer them which would progress their own career plans.
Why do it if it's not fun?
Join Date: Jul 2001
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AerBabe, we all know the only reason you want to join the police force is because of all those men in uniform 
Although if they had aerobatic aircraft, that would definitely be a bonus 
I have to admit having come across this attitude only very rarely. (We're back on to being ignored now - I know lots of people who are more interested in policemen and women in uniform than they are in aircraft!) One was when I was looking for a school at which to get my PPL. Of the four schools I visited, two were very friendly and helpful. At the other two, I was all but ignored - I was handed a brochure when I went out of my way to ask for one, but that was all.
On the other hand, I have caught myself inadvertantly being the arrogant pilot a few times. I hope I've managed to stop myself more often than I've let it go unnoticed. Generally I don't have a problem around non-pilots - either they're not interested, in which case we talk about a different subject, or they are interested, in which case they're quite happy for me to talk about aeroplanes all day. But sometimes I find a non-pilot who knows more about aviation than I do, and it can be hard not to lecture them on points which they don't need lecturing on.
FFF
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Although if they had aerobatic aircraft, that would definitely be a bonus I have to admit having come across this attitude only very rarely. (We're back on to being ignored now - I know lots of people who are more interested in policemen and women in uniform than they are in aircraft!) One was when I was looking for a school at which to get my PPL. Of the four schools I visited, two were very friendly and helpful. At the other two, I was all but ignored - I was handed a brochure when I went out of my way to ask for one, but that was all.
On the other hand, I have caught myself inadvertantly being the arrogant pilot a few times. I hope I've managed to stop myself more often than I've let it go unnoticed. Generally I don't have a problem around non-pilots - either they're not interested, in which case we talk about a different subject, or they are interested, in which case they're quite happy for me to talk about aeroplanes all day. But sometimes I find a non-pilot who knows more about aviation than I do, and it can be hard not to lecture them on points which they don't need lecturing on.
FFF
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Join Date: Oct 2001
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The problem with aviation is that (as I may have mentioned before) it's never enough. Doesn't matter what the specifics are.
Just got your PPL? Great, IMC next?
IMC? GREAT! Twin next?
Just got your twin rating? FANTASTIC!!!! Now what?!?!?!
I don't think it's meant to sound condescending, it's just that on the day I passed my GFT, an instructor said, "What next?" to me. I was staggered. When you pass you driving test, no one ever asks what next (I know it's different, but the point is kind of similar). The attitude of 'superiority' comes from someone with more than you, automatically assuming that you want to be at their level. Unfortunately for a lot of egos this isn't the case, but bearing in mind that whatever they have still isn't enough, it would never cross their mind that you are so lacking in ambition that you aren't striving to attain their level. We all have something to offer someone else (hence PPRuNe), we just need to recognise that wisdom isn't a downward cascading system, it works both ways, and is all the better for it.
I have no desire to be ATPL, deal with it.
p.s. How many 2+ page threads lately have only reached these 'heady' levels because Aerbabe and Keef haven't got their own Forum?
Just got your PPL? Great, IMC next?
IMC? GREAT! Twin next?
Just got your twin rating? FANTASTIC!!!! Now what?!?!?!
I don't think it's meant to sound condescending, it's just that on the day I passed my GFT, an instructor said, "What next?" to me. I was staggered. When you pass you driving test, no one ever asks what next (I know it's different, but the point is kind of similar). The attitude of 'superiority' comes from someone with more than you, automatically assuming that you want to be at their level. Unfortunately for a lot of egos this isn't the case, but bearing in mind that whatever they have still isn't enough, it would never cross their mind that you are so lacking in ambition that you aren't striving to attain their level. We all have something to offer someone else (hence PPRuNe), we just need to recognise that wisdom isn't a downward cascading system, it works both ways, and is all the better for it.
I have no desire to be ATPL, deal with it.
p.s. How many 2+ page threads lately have only reached these 'heady' levels because Aerbabe and Keef haven't got their own Forum?
Join Date: Apr 2002
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It's hard not to notice a degree of it. Being a young, impoverished student, I fly once every month if I'm lucky. 
Usually I turn up, little bag in hand containing headset, chart and checklist (and other stuff), and whenever I walk into the bar at my home airfield I get at least one look along the lines of "and just what the fcuk do you think you're doing here?" For instance, one day someone actually did say to me "And so, when do you want to be a proper pilot, and stop playing with Flight Sim" ... 
Likewise, GR14, I've come across the "you need the next rating to be good" attitude -- I've got a PPL, and I'm happy. By next year I'll have the taxpayer paying for my aviation fix (hopefully ... CUAS or ULAS here I come). Although the CFI thinking I had a CPL brought a smile to my face ...
Usually I turn up, little bag in hand containing headset, chart and checklist (and other stuff), and whenever I walk into the bar at my home airfield I get at least one look along the lines of "and just what the fcuk do you think you're doing here?" For instance, one day someone actually did say to me "And so, when do you want to be a proper pilot, and stop playing with Flight Sim" ... Likewise, GR14, I've come across the "you need the next rating to be good" attitude -- I've got a PPL, and I'm happy. By next year I'll have the taxpayer paying for my aviation fix (hopefully ... CUAS or ULAS here I come
). Although the CFI thinking I had a CPL brought a smile to my face ...
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I turned up for my first power-flying lesson, booked in and got ignored. I tried several times to join in with the chat, I was ignored.
Eventually the “experts” got round to the fact that there was absolutely no wind, and how marvellous it was for doing circuits. I jumped in with “I always prefer 10k down the strip”. Silence for 5 seconds, then “What do you fly”. After this they were as nice as pie!
It was not a good advert, especially as the first lesson started 45 min late, but it all worked out in the end.
Rod
Eventually the “experts” got round to the fact that there was absolutely no wind, and how marvellous it was for doing circuits. I jumped in with “I always prefer 10k down the strip”. Silence for 5 seconds, then “What do you fly”. After this they were as nice as pie!
It was not a good advert, especially as the first lesson started 45 min late, but it all worked out in the end.
Rod
