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

[Cat Driver]

When I'm flying sea planes I like to be called Admiral.

[Meatservo]

It's just a quaint old-timey tradition. People used to like this kind of stuff. If you had a master mariner's ticket or something like that, people were in the habit of calling you captain so-and-so. The tradition carried through to aviation by osmosis because the two things had common traditions. Like many other societal niceties from the past, we are abandoning things like that. I don't see why it's any sillier than putting letters after your name if you're an academic. If you're putting your name to something official and work-related, it might be appropriate. If you're putting it on your mailbox, it might be silly.

Again, it's just an old-fashioned thing. Trouble is, making lots of money and being treated with respect by your employer and co-workers is ALSO getting to be old-fashioned.

[Randleman]

Then there is this post in the job ads for that Chinese 737 company.

(e)Total time of at least 1000 PIC hours for B737-NG or EFIS type.
(f)Good English Command.

[Invertago]

all i can tell you is that wearing a uniform and 4 bars will get you a fiver standing outside a hotel when a guy pulls up and asks you to take his bags out of the boot. -- lmfaoooooo -- one way to supplement under paid pilots --

[iflyforpie]

If you are in the Confederate (Commemorative) Air Force, then you are a Colonel!

[Heliian]

They call me Captain Amazing!

If you are in the #1 seat, you are the Captain.

[Prairie Chicken]

I remember a very long time ago when I was a scp, I met an ame/widow of a cargo pilot. Her man was killed on t/o, out of CYUL in a DC 4 or 6 I believe. Anyhow, the inscription she put on his tombstone (along with name & dates) was simply "Captain". I always thought that was classy.

[IBPilot]

When I was doing my PPL training, my Flight Instructor addressed me three ways
1) Luke,
2) Sir, and now my favorite one of all
3) Captain!!

After my training, I asked him why he used the term Captain. His answer was because I was in the left seat and that's just how it's done --- right seat pilots call the left seat pilots, Captain!

Cheers

[Brewguy]

As far as I'm concerned, adding something either before your name or after your name, should only be done if that privilege has been conferred upon you by a person / body with the authority to do so.

By all means, go ahead and call yourself Captain while actually in the act of flying an airbus. But when you leave the cockpit, leave the 'captain' bit behind ... unless of course you hold that rank, as a commissioned officer of the armed forces.

Also, ATPL and the like are not recognized post nominals (letters that go after your name). That's reserved for if you have a university degree, or have been awarded certain honours (medals, etc.). Note that not all medals include the right to use post nominals.

If you want to stick something before or after your name, go earn that right.

Years ago, some TC inspector came to our company. He had 'Captain' printed on his business card, and wanted to be addressed as such. Well, our company was primarily ex-military. We looked at him, then his biz card, than back at him and then at each other before someone asked "... Captain of what?". Dude got laughed out of our building. We addressed him as "Mr. _____".

[IBPilot]

If you want to stick something before or after your name, go earn that right.

Years ago, some TC inspector came to our company. He had 'Captain' printed on his business card, and wanted to be addressed as such. Well, our company was primarily ex-military. We looked at him, then his biz card, than back at him and then at each other before someone asked "... Captain of what?". Dude got laughed out of our building. We addressed him as "Mr. _____".

Very good point. I always enjoyed being called Captain in the relaxed environment inside the Cessna but those who stress the fact that they will not respond to you unless you address them as Captain really piss me off. They use the title Captain as a self status phrase... almost like people treat their facebook status's. If you are a military officer, i will address you as Captain, Major, what have you because those guys earn their titles.

[Cougar]

I remember a very long time ago when I was a scp, I met an ame/widow of a cargo pilot. Her man was killed on t/o, out of CYUL in a DC 4 or 6 I believe. Anyhow, the inscription she put on his tombstone (along with name & dates) was simply "Captain". I always thought that was classy.

Aw, that's sad. And yes, classy.

[iflyforpie]

Also, ATPL and the like are not recognized post nominals (letters that go after your name). That's reserved for if you have a university degree, or have been awarded certain honours (medals, etc.). Note that not all medals include the right to use post nominals.

Nor do all university degrees. Batchelor (or associate ) degrees don't count. I think it is funny when I the see ads for a certain aviation lawyer and his study material. None of the letters behind his name are are kosher...

-Sir Dr. Captain iflyforpie, BA, BSc, BEd, MD, PhD, LLB, MBA, CGA, OC, OM, PC, CBE, KG, AME, CPL.... LOL

PS: Though as far as medals go, I don't think anybody ever got more medals than this guy...

[Cougar]

WOW, Pie!!

(Can I see your watch??)

[rigpiggy]

This Guy has more. "somebody pls post"
http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/1236635524/ga ... 107593.jpg

[jeta1]

[Cap'n P8]

This Guy has more. "somebody pls post"
http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/1236635524/ga ... 107593.jpg

He doesn't count, he probably gave most of them to himself!

[iflyforpie]

WOW, Pie!!

(Can I see your watch??)

Sure!




OH YEAH!!

[Cat Driver]

The use of captain before your name is a big thing in a lot of third world countries and is a status symbol.

In more progressive countries it has not yet become a status symbol, if pay scale is a reflection of your importance there are not many real captains in Canada.

[aviator2010]

because I'm lazy and didn't bother to read the previouse pages this maybe a repeat, but working in the maldives 3 bars or 4 your reffered to as captain as a sign of respect by no flying airline employees. It confuses the hell out of you the first time you hear it if your not expecting it. over there your special if your a pilot, over here your "special(hockey helmet)" if your a pilot

[niss]

over here your "special(hockey helmet)" if your a pilot

Rekwechting take off cwearwance!