When and why can a pilot be addressed "Captain" so or so?

[armchair]

I am curious as to when, why or how a pilot can be addressed as "Captain" so or so? Does it apply only to airlines? Is it after the first time you are a PIC of multi-engine aircraft with paying passengers? Or PIC of a cargo aircraft? Or how about PIC of a Fedex Caravan? What about PIC of a multi-crew medevac helicopter? I ask because sometimes a number of pilots use the moniker more for vanity and status than anything else. Perhaps there is a protocol written somewhere?

[polar one]

Oh course its all about vanity and status...Anyone with half a brain would already know by the oversized sunglasses, the big watch, and the swagger that one is a pilot...no need to tell them....respectful awe is more than enough.

Seriously though, in some places it is a respected title.

[SuperchargedRS]

Depends on if you graduated from a "flight college"

[airliner]

Most pilots will usually tell you that they are a captain. Even if they are a 4 bar Charlie One Five Two instructor.
So just go with it.
Padding an ego goes far in the long run.

[rigpiggy]

Maybe, it is just me, but the only time I care to be addressed as "Captain" is if I have to use command authority. Other wise I ask they use my first name, Sir, or Hey You as required

[armchair]

So far what I gather is that the term "Captain" is not a formal, professional accreditation in the proper sense for pilots. So in theory, as soon as you have one minute of PIC, you are informally or formally able to call yourself "Captain", because there are no rules tied to the title. Therefore, a pilot is a "Captain" on his/her first solo. Well that's great, let's all keep that in mind when you read about Captain so or so.

Capt Armchair.

[Invertago]

Only in the bedroom.

[shitdisturber]

The only time I've ever been addressed as "Captain" was working in India and Africa, but in places like that status is important when it comes to getting anything done. Mind you, so is patience.

[oldncold]

The "Captain" thing in commercial aviation started in 1933. When the president of Pan American Airlines Jan Trippe, in a effort to convey that this new form of air travel was safe,to a skeptical public.

He figured out that buy borrowing from the sea terms like Captain and giving them 4gold (stripes ) with white shirts that would convey authority and confidence. Economics also played a role too, He saw buy doing this he could pay his pilots LESS as they didn't mind because of the AWE factor. This was copied at every airline around the world in very short order.

So if ya wonder were it the low wages and shiny bars started from ... now ya know.

[SaskStyle]

The "Captain" thing in commercial aviation started in 1933. When the president of Pan American Airlines Jan Trippe, in a effort to convey that this new form of air travel was safe,to a skeptical public.

He figured out that buy borrowing from the sea terms like Captain and giving them 4gold (stripes ) with white shirts that would convey authority and confidence. Economics also played a role too, He saw buy doing this he could pay his pilots LESS as they didn't mind because of the AWE factor. This was copied at every airline around the world in very short order.

So if ya wonder were it the low wages and shiny bars started from ... now ya know.

Congratulations. Your post is today's top "Ridiculous Statement from AvCanada"

If english is not your first language, it is understandable. A free lesson in grammer, "buy" is a verb used to describe the action of purchasing beer, hookers, PPC's etc.

Thinking that Tripp somehow fooled those old boys who blazed their way into the history books paving the highway of aviation that pays your bills (i'm assuming) is pretty ignorant.

[Caracrane]

Agree with Rigpiggy, other than that i don't like to be called Capt. Eric

[Stan Darsh]

Congratulations. Your post is today's top "Ridiculous Statement from AvCanada"

If english is not your first language, it is understandable. A free lesson in grammer, "buy" is a verb used to describe the action of purchasing beer, hookers, PPC's etc.

Thinking that Tripp somehow fooled those old boys who blazed their way into the history books paving the highway of aviation that pays your bills (i'm assuming) is pretty ignorant.

Fail.

[Meatservo]

The world of air navigation borrows very heavily from the traditions of the world of sea navigation in almost every respect. In many ways it evolved from sea navigation as a method of traversing vast distances, often using innovative, technically challenging methods of determining position. Like ships, aeroplanes travel in an unforgiving environment, and most have a crew of two or more, meaning one person is the "Captain". The fact that you were considered morally and mentally equipped to deliberately endanger (expose to greater risk) a number of innocent people (which is what you're doing when yo take them up in an aeroplane) and safely deliver them back onto dry land, usually where they wanted to be, used to entitle you to certain amount of respect. In many Latin countries, as well as in Africa and the middle east, the tradition of calling a captain "Captain" prevails. It's old-fashioned, but it is not intended to confer upon a person a higher "rank" in society than a "Mister" (which is also a rather old-fashioned honorific), it's just a nod to the fact that you have a position of responsibility. In written correspondence, it is sometimes appropriate to use the honorific if you are writing in your capacity as an aircrew member, or if you are writing to someone like a chief pilot.

In our society, the use of honorific pronouns is falling by the wayside. I suppose in a truly egalitarian world, honorifics would not exist at all. As it is, if you're a passenger, and you want to speak to the captain, you can call me "captain". I take it the same way as you would call a policeman "Officer"... like if he's pulled you over, you might try being polite. If I was watching hockey with my friend who is a policeman, I would just call him "Jeff".

In a way, I lament the passing of some of our nicer traditions. The western world was built on long distance transportation, and there used to be some respect for its senior practitioners. I suppose it's old-fashioned to actually look up to and respect someone for being a stinkin' pilot, or a glorified bus driver, overpaid hack, "meatservo", or whatever. Some of you guys like to think of yourselves as menial semi-skilled labourers, but I'll take a little respect where I can find it.

[Lost Lake]

I call myself captain when ever I am tryin to get a loan or laid. I also answer to your worship, God, boss and occasionally, hey asshole.

[Meatservo]

Well, I don't call myself "Captain". That would be ridiculous. I also answer to just about anything. But I don't see anything wrong with "Captain" when it's appropriate, like when it's work-related. I don't ask for it because I'm not an idiot, but I also don't mind it as long as it's not sarcastic. Which it probably would be these days.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, how you conduct yourself has a lot to do with whether you can get away with it or not. People can let their own conscience dictate when to use any honorific pronoun. I will occasionally use it when addressing or referring to another pilot, usually a senior one. I am of the opinion we can at least show some respect to one another. It's like wearing a tie. Sometimes you do it out of respect for the situation, even though it's silly and old-fashioned.

[planett]

All joking aside, I have never been addressed as Captain unless there is a complaint written about me for not taking the drunk/rowdy passenger, limiting freight, stopping for fuel, or some other situation where one has to exercise his command authority. I have been called "hey pilit".

[V1 Rotate]

"buy" is a verb used to describe the action of purchasing beer, hookers, PPC's etc.

+ 1 interweb!

[Cat Driver]

The term Captain is a job description that identifies which crew member is responsible and thus in command of an airplane exactly as on a ship.

Where it can enter the ego arena is when someone uses the term as a status symbol.
.

[SAR_YQQ]

I get called Captain everyday - but then again, that is my rank.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

"Captain" is soooo last year.....

You may now address me as "Commodore"
(one step up from Captain)

BBB

[just curious]

You may now address me as "Commodore"

What's dat phrase you got for dat in h'english? Large Luck? ahhhh, non, Fat Chance, dat's de phrase!

[Big Pistons Forever]

This discussion reminds me of a story I heard. The airraft owner and his friend are flying his Beech 18. The friend is driving and touches down a bit late. The tower asked for the next exit but the turn off was attempted while still going a bit too fast. They made the turn off....but were going backwards when they cleared the runway. Tower thinking the plane is in trouble calls for CFR. Bottom line no damage and once they got turned around they taxied in. However as the friend went to open the cabin door he saw an airport rep was waiting to talk to them. He immediately stepped back and swept his arm towards the owner while saying in a loud voice "after you captain"

[nacho]

JC knows when he travels to the south, Comandante or Capitan in every airport doesn't matter what you are flying.
I was surprised myself on my first ferry. But it's common there..

[jeta1]

[yeah yeah]

...when "Maestro" can't get you a villa in Tuscany, then try "Captain"