With the industry holding
pilots to a high level of professional skills, I believe that professionalism
is accomplished everyday with every successful flight. In the case of U.S. Airways Airbus A320 that was in route
from New York, NY to Charlotte, NC., ran
into a flock of birds causing the aircraft to lose both engines. According to
NBC News, “Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger of Danville, CA.,
floated the plane into the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone on board.”
Captain Sullenger conducted himself in the most professional manner possible
under the circumstances. He did not panic, and used his skill set to save the
lives of all passengers onboard. His choice may have not been the most popular
decision, but it was the one that saved the lives of his passengers and crew.
There are many examples
over the years of people in the aviation industry that have strayed from the
expected professional behavior. The case that sticks out in my mind the most
was the incident when the Southwest Airlines pilot accidently didn’t know his
mic was stuck. He began to ramble on “about how his flight crews have been
nothing but a bunch of gays, grannys, and grandes, which prevented him from
being able to party and have fun.” This ended up being broadcast over an air
traffic control frequency that was heard through out the greater part of Texas.
Even though he did not mean for his words to be heard outside of the cockpit,
it is still a case of unprofessionalism. It offended those that count on him
daily and showed a moment of sheer weakness in his character. With the aviation
industry already under a microscope, it cannot afford for an incident like this
to happen. This incident made national news and added to the public’s negative
perception of pilots in the industry.
As a student, I am
trying to hone my professional skills for when the time comes that I am in the
professional aviation world. First, by continually updating my resume, and
collecting experience within the aviation industry and related logistic
practices I am providing the most up to date information to my perspective
employer. It will continue to change and become perfected as I gain new
experience. I am continually updating my knowledge to any new laws and
ordinances nationally, as well as within my state and city of employment. I am
continually perfecting my people skills, remembering to always stay true to
myself and the truth in every situation. I will try to remember not to
exaggerate my capabilities or my qualifications. Also, remembering to treat my
colleagues and my employees how I want to be treated. Never expecting someone
to do something I am not willing to do myself. Looking them in the eye when I address
them with respect for providing me with support. My grandfather always said, “I
even treat the guy taking the garbage out daily with respect, because without
him, I am taking the garbage out.”
None of us can plan for
every situation that might arise within a day. All we can do is prepare
mentally with resolutions to possible problems. By doing this the brain recognizes
it has been there before and responds. My plan is to treat colleagues and those
holding authoritative positions with respect, and by holding myself to a higher
standard, both in thought and action.
Wilson, Simone. "Southwest Pilot Calls Flight
Attendants 'Gays, Grannies and Grandes' on Plane
to SoCal, Forgets to
Turn off Mic (AUDIO)." The Informer. N.p., 23 June 2011. Web. 04
Nov. 2013.
Msnbc. "N.Y. Jet Crash Called 'miracle on the
Hudson'" Msnbc.com. N.p., 15 Jan. 2009. Web.
05 Nov. 2013. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28678669/
Smith, Steve. "Professionalism: A ‘Must Have’
For All Aviation Workers." AviationPros.com.
Ed. Dr. Bill Johnson.
AviationPros, 21 Dec. 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
After reading your post I got on YouTube and watched the news clip about that pilot who made derogatory slurs over a frequency for all to hear. I completely agree with you on how that is a perfect example of unprofessionalism. It doesn't matter if pilots are allowed to have personal conversations during that phase of flight; your conversations should be professional no matter WHAT you're talking about. I'm glad everyone got to hear what he had to say and that it hopefully hurts his career and reputation.
ReplyDeleteThose are both great examples of both sides of professionalism, and you made a really good point: the industry is under a microscope and cannot afford this kind of negative attention. Pilots need to do more than just perform their duties with skill, we need to be as professional as possible while we do it.
ReplyDeleteThe story you told about the Southwest Airline pilot is a perfect example of the old adage: ‘don’t say anything if you don’t have anything nice to say.’ This is something we have to tell to children as they learn that their words have consequences, but as we grow into adulthood I think a lot of people in professional industries begin to think it is okay to talk badly about someone as long as they don’t hear it. Clearly this is flawed, and especially so as we enter a modern age where even the cheapest cell phone has some kind of recording function. Everyone has the ability to keep their thoughts to themselves, and even when you think there is no one to hear you it is good to keep yourself in check.
ReplyDeleteI used the Southwest pilot as my example of being unprofessional as well. The reason I used the example is because I ran across an article stating that the pilot had been re-instated back into the skies after going through "diversity training". It's really shocking that Southwest didn't suspend him indefinitely. Those slurs are disrespectful regardless, and to use them while on the job is completely unprofessional.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned a good example of unprofessional behavior. I like your example about the pilot that didn’t know his mic was stuck. I believe this cant unprofessional mistake would affect a lot on the person career and how people would trust unprofessional person like that.
ReplyDeleteThe Southwest Airlines situation was a great example of a pilot not acting like a professional. I had forgotten about this happening and, again, reading it made me laugh a little bit. Something like this happening would be incredibly embarrassing and detrimental to this pilot’s career. This shows how important it is to watch what you say no matter who you’re talking to. You never know who could be listening.
ReplyDelete