Pilot stereotypes?

2echo2

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I couldnt help but wonder the other day, "Do the pilots of the different types of planes fall into different categories based on their personalities and such?"

I talked to a C-130 pilot and he said he generally likes his wingmen, but that fighter pilots are all jerks.
I talked to a fighter pilot, but all he talked about was how cool the F-15 is.
I talked to a B-52 pilot and he's pretty laid back and extremely friendly.
But I've never talked to an A-10 pilot. Are those guys like the grunts of the pilot gang? I think it would be cool to fly a Warthog, but I don't know much about the job.

Anyways, just wondering what any of you thought since I know there's some guys who were pilots that post on these forums, and of course cadets wanting to become pilots. Do you think people are changed by what they fly?
 
Pulling to many "G"s repeatedly causes misalignment of brain synapse resulting in long term serve narcissism.
That explains fighter pilots.:biggrin::yllol::shake:
 
Of Course there's a stereotype. Fighter Pilots are simply THE BEST!!!! And until the F-22 becomes a Significant Mainstay; the F-15 is "THE BEST...... OF THE BEST". What can I say? :angel:

But for what it's worth in all honesty; you can and will meet in the Air Force people of all AFSC's (Jobs). There will be good and bad; intelligent and some who were dropped on their heads as babies too many times; articulate and some a couple french fries short of a Happy Meal.

Now, is there a different mind-set to the pilots of different planes? Definitely yes. But there's a different mind-set between Security Forces vs TAC Comm vs Civil Engineering vs Missiles vs Vehicle Maintenance vs Engineers vs etc... Every job requires a certain mind-set in order to do it well. And let's be real here..... A pilot; of any plane; has a pretty important AND EXPENSIVE responsibility in their hands. It's not like you can just "Pull Over" and get your mind right. Or go out and take a "Smoke Break" to figure out your next step. And to some, the Mind-Set of a fighter Jock may seem "Different". But it needs to be in order to do that job the best they can. And the same with Security Forces or whatever. Each AFSC has certain stereotypes attached to them. Sometimes they aren't so "Nice". e.g. those assigned to a cook or a Security Policeman.

And you will see and hear the stereotypes associated with being an "ACADEMY GRAD" compared to being "ROTC" or "OTS". So, do yourself a favor, and just learn to judge a person by what comes out of their mouths and by their actions. I've known some bomber and cargo jocks who thought they had the most important job in the world. Then again; when I was single and had a "Part Time" job as a Bartender at the O'club at CNA Soesterberg AirBase, Holland (Something to do in my spare time); Every F-15 pilot on the base thought that I HAD THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB on the base. :beer1: Go figure. Mike.....
 
if a-10 pilots are anything like my AOC last year, they are definitely the best of the bunch... best/most amazing guy ever. but then again, he's the best a-10 pilot in the world, no joke.. also one of the youngest in his class to get promoted to LtCol. but like christcorp said, there's always a stereotype, and not everyone fits it... there are good & bad for everythin
 
There are a good number of Air Force officers no longer serving active duty, thanks to the F-22. I can tell you, there are MANY zoomies who hate that plane.

If F-15 pilots got the flying time of a C-17 pilots....they might be cooler.

All in all, if you aren't a pilot....you probably don't really have a whole lot of respect for them. :wink:
 
LITS-are you talking about navigators being replaced by the F 22?
 
No, I'm talking about Blue Suiters forced out or into the reserves to pay for the F-22...a big mess.
 
2echo2,

Similar threads have discussed this before, but mostly from a "lifestyle and mission" aspect.

You could try here:

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=5516&page=4


Please ignore the flame war that went on, and concentrate on some of less confrontational and more more informative posts.

I'll leave you with this (gleaned from years experience in the AF flying communities) -- Christcorp said it pretty much spot-on! I'm sure Flieger, who flew in both heavies and fighters, would concur.
 
Everybody knows that the Predator pilots are the most respected pilots in the Air Force. It's a tough job. But it has some advantages. It's the only flying you can do while still wearing slippers and a bathrobe. :shake:
 
First time in a long time for me to say this:

I have nothing to add! :biggrin:

Mike and Bullet said it beautifully! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Everybody knows that the Predator pilots are the most respected pilots in the Air Force. It's a tough job. But it has some advantages. It's the only flying you can do while still wearing slippers and a bathrobe

I will say Bullet was in awe of the predator pilots when he was in Iraq. IMHO, that passed the line. Are they putting their lives on the line? NO! Are they saving military lives? YES! That is equivalent to saying the Maintenance officer has no effect on the mission...it is downright wrong! No package can perform their mission to the optimal level unless every component is at 100%.

Maybe you meant a jest, maybe you were posting with bravado, but to not acknowledge that the Predators are just as valuable in the package was wrong and disrespectful IMHO. They will never replace manned aircraft, but they are not controlled by a bunch of 17 yr olds playing Xbox either. No fighter guy worth his salt would not give credit to the Tanker pilot that refueled him for the mission. The same is true regarding predators, they have the ability to take out targets without risking lives. We should be thankful that our nation has them, without those guys/gals in bath robes there would be troops on the ground in immediate danger.

My apologies if that was a joke, but is just seemed to be in poor taste.
 
My apologies if that was a joke, but is just seemed to be in poor taste.

"Lighten up, Francis."

It was a joke (ergo the chuckling face) so your apology is accepted. I thought that was obvious. But, apparently not.

Geez!

I served my country, too - so I was hoping you would have extended me a little credit and not jumped to the assumption that my intent was to denigrate any serviceman. There's room for a little levity - even in the heat of battle, you know.

There is a lot of good-natured ribbing between services and even within communities of the same service. But they all still respect one another. Apparently you were not aware of that.

At the Naval Academy they shout "Beat Army!" The cadets shout "Sink Navy!" But, when the dust settles, they have much more in common than they have differences - and they all respect one another. It's just harmless fun and everybody with an ounce of common sense sees it that way.
 
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