Hero Worship: Airline Pilots Will Always Be Worthy of Utmost Respect

Next, younger generation of carrier aviators don’t seem to have the same attitude as the ones who came before.

Martha Lunken

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Pilot executing preflight procedures in a commercial airliner cockpit before takeoff. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The author expresses a lifelong admiration for airline pilots, particularly those from the 1960s-1990s, considering them heroes for their skill and unique experiences.
Retired captains shared that they profoundly miss the challenges of flying, the awe-inspiring moments witnessed globally, and the unparalleled camaraderie and bond shared with fellow aviators, often describing flying as integral to their identity.
While cherishing the flying experience, these veterans unanimously agreed they do not miss the less glamorous aspects of the job, such as commuting, regulatory hurdles, or difficult colleagues.

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OK, I’m a hero worshiper…always have been.

From a tot wide-eyed as Peter Pan flew to the “first star on the right and straight out ’til morning,” to sitting in front of a tiny TV screen with Sky King flying his UC-78 Songbird, to seeing The Bridges at Toko-Ri at the local movie theater with those magnificent Grumman F9F Panthers and McDonnell F2H Banshees screaming through valleys.