First on Fox – The world’s largest airline pilot union suggested that airmen and women should stop using such words Allegedly offensive Terms such as “cockpit” were described as non-inclusive for women and LGBTQ individuals.
The Air Line Pilots Association, International, represents more than 70,000 pilots worldwide and says it cooperates with the UN agency on its policies. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Language Guide In an article released in 2021, ALPA listed several words and phrases to avoid—particularly “masculine generalizations”—that are considered non-inclusive.
“Inclusive language in communications is essential to the solidarity and collective strength of our Union and is a key factor in maintaining flight safety,” the guide states. “This language guide aims to offer examples of words and phrases that promote inclusion and equality.”
For example, ALPA has suggested replacing the term “cockpit” with “flight deck.” The guide says the allegedly offensive term “has been and can be used in a derogatory manner to exclude women from the piloting profession.”
The Air Line Pilots Association, International, represents more than 70,000 pilots worldwide. (Fox News Digital | Hannah Grossman)
“Many women have heard a male pilot say, ‘It’s called the cockpit for a reason,’ which suggests that women should not enter the pilot profession,” the guide said.
But Wall Street Journal columnist And linguist Ben Zimmer wrote that the term “cockpit” originated from cockfighting in 16th century England.
“The circular pit was surrounded by a barrier to prevent the gamecocks from escaping,” he wrote in 2019, and spectators watched the “bloody sport” as entertainment.
According to Zimmer, the term evolved to describe a frenzied and tense atmosphere. And by the 18th century, it referred to the area on British warships where surgeons treated the wounded.
“The confined space, noise, blood and foul-smelling air reminded people of the original cockpit,” the reporter wrote.
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The language guide says the term “cockpit” should be gradually phased out and replaced with “flightdeck”. (Fox News Digital | Hannah Grossman)
Similarly, ALPA’s guide recommends avoiding the use of the words “man” and “men.” It offers suggestions for the term “manpower,” including “people/human power.”
The guide gave an example saying, “Who will provide the people/manpower to support this event?”
The guide also suggests avoiding using masculine terms such as “boy” when addressing groups, as the term excludes “women, transgender people and gender non-conforming people.” Different gender identities,
ALPA recommends against using “mom/dad.” This phrase can “alienate different family structures, such as grandparent caregivers, same-sex parents.” Similarly, “husband/wife” and “boyfriend/girlfriend” should be avoided because these phrases can ignore same-sex couples.
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DEI policies have been criticized for being “woke” and exclusionary towards groups seen as oppressive, while being praised by supporters for providing equal opportunities and atonement for historical discrimination. (Adobe Stock)
ALPA released a statement to Fox News Digital following publication.
ALPA said, “Flying is the safest mode of transportation in the world, thanks largely to airline pilots, who are professionals and held to the highest training and qualification standards. There are real threats to aviation safety, such as efforts to replace pilots with automation or reduce training and experience standards, but opening the doors of opportunity to ensure we have an adequate supply of qualified aviators is not one of them.”
“Diversity really has nothing to do with safe travel,” said a former representative of the Federal Aviation Administration security team. Kyle Bailey told Fox News Digital on the trend of DEI in the airline industry. “It’s basically a matter of flight time, your credentials, your background, how much flight experience you have, as well as your training.”
“Regardless of the proposed recruitment methods, the bottom line is … that flying is primarily a male profession. You’re not going to find little girls at age 10 saying, ‘Hey, I want to be an airline pilot,’ or playing with little model airplanes or flying model airplanes. It’s largely a male sport, whether you like it or not,” Bailey said.
Major airlines have faced criticism for their falling short on the D.E.I. agenda.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby He faced criticism after a video surfaced of him boasting about the company’s diversity initiatives, which require greater numbers of women and minority employees. He said the company has committed to ensuring that 50% of its graduating pilot classes will be women or people of color, up from 19% in 2023.
“This is messed up,” X owner Elon Musk replied.
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“He can always set a good example and resign immediately, and pass on his high-paying position, salary, bonus and stock options to someone more diverse,” said J. Michael Waller, a senior analyst at the Center for Security Policy.
Fox News’s Brian Flood and Nicholas Lanum contributed to this report.
