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Air travellers 'don't trust female pilots': Survey finds most would prefer a man to be at the controls
Survey found 51 per cent of passengers wouldn't trust a woman pilot Most common reason given was that males would be more skilled Those who preferred a female captain said men would be too hot-headed
By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 01:22 GMT, 4 November 2013 | UPDATED: 01:22 GMT, 4 November 2013

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Male prejudice against women drivers appears to extend into plane cockpits as well, according to a survey. And in another blow for equality, the poll showed women were even more wary of female pilots than men. Overall, 51% of people admitted they were less likely to trust a woman pilot than a male one, the survey by travel agent sunshine.co.uk revealed.

A survey of airline passengers, made up equally of men and women, found that most travellers would prefer a man at the controls of their plane

In addition, 26% said the sex of the pilot did not matter, while 14% said they were less likely to trust a male pilot. Of those less than keen to have a woman at the controls, 32% felt 'male pilots were more skilled', while 28% reckoned female pilots would be no good under pressure. A total of 10% said they would be less likely to trust a female pilot as their previous cockpit crews had been all-male and they did not know what to expect.

Over 30 per cent of those who wanted a man at the controls thought a male pilot would be more skilled with another 28 per cent thinking women would suffer under pressure

Of those not happy with a man flying the plane, 44% said they believed male pilots would be 'too hot-headed in a crisis' while 23% thought male pilots might be 'too easily distracted'. Sunshine.co.uk managing director Chris Clarkson said: 'To see that more than half would be less likely to

trust a female pilot was absolutely astounding. 'Clearly, many Britons have stereotypes that they need to get rid of. 'If pilots become fully qualified and are given their licence, they are perfectly capable of flying a plane and getting you to your destination safely, regardless of whether they are male or female.' A total of 2,367 Britons (1,195 men and 1,172 women) were surveyed. All had been on a holiday abroad in the last 12 months which involved taking a flight.

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Comments (103)
Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Geddis, Gateshead, United Kingdom, moments ago They're highly trained and highly intelligent professionals trained to the highest standard. If they're in that seat it's because they deserve it. I've had female bosses and female parachute instructors: They were in charge and knew what they were doing. Gender stats are daft (whether positive or negative to either gender).

0 0 Click to rate turbo_paul, London, United Kingdom, moments ago Try and watch a woman reverse park a plane!

0 0 Click to rate Tommy Bakers Society, Hawkshaw, United Kingdom, 5 minutes ago

Which switch do they use to hang their designer bag on?

0 0 Click to rate RevoltingPensioner, Up NORF, United Kingdom, 7 minutes ago Can you ask BEFORE you board the aircraft " Are you having a day of distractions because of PMT ? " Maybe that would get you STOPPED, and put on a MALE Pilot flight !

0 0 Click to rate

Dolly Dagger, Chelters, United Kingdom, 8 minutes ago I must admit, being a nervous flyer and finding out we had a female pilot on one our flights did unnerve me somewhat and I'm a woman.

0 0 Click to rate JoeUK, Zurich, 17 minutes ago I had an all female crew not too long ago. When 'This is your captain' came on the tannoy, a few people looked concerned, then later in the flight 'This is your co-pilot'... There was lot of whispering at that point, trust me. Personally, as there is no reverse gear on a plane, then I don't think there's anything to worry about.

0 1 Click to rate Jason V, Bristol, 19 minutes ago Just let the man park the Aeroplane... all other aspects of a woman pilot is fine.

2 3 Click to rate The-Commentator, London, United Kingdom, 25 minutes ago Female pilots all just want to work their way up to being trolley dollies.

6 6 Click to rate The-Commentator, London, United Kingdom, 27 minutes ago The only advantage of female pilots is that they would be much more prepared to stop and ask for directions if they were lost!

5 6 Click to rate aargonaut, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 27 minutes ago

I wouldn't want a female pilot - I would be worried about how the aircraft is parked. Going by the way women park cars - an aeroplane would definitely be harder.

7 6 Click to rate The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

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