Are airlines embarrassed by this?
Posted by dogbreath67@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 316 comments
Do the HR departments at airlines feel the pain of hiring grifters who masquerade as full time charter pilots on social media while they are actually employed by a major airline, and don’t even put their actual employment on their LinkedIn page? People like this sell courses and conduct entire seminars under false premises. I mean this guy, for example, claims to run his own charter company while he is actually an FO at American. Do they allow them to go on permanent leave while they run their charter op or is it purely a social media grift? Just wondering if anyone has any insight.
FlyinngDawg@reddit
Depends what HR department you ask. AA was one of the first to crack down on media. Delta is starting to crack down hard on influencing in your uniform and is getting very restrictive on cell phone use. United seems to embrace it the influencers but you can tell by their advertising they're trying to reach out to Millenials and Gen Z.
XxVcVxX@reddit
Delta is cracking down on them when it turned out a mid-sized Instagram 756 CA turned out to be a racist trump supporter running around ATL in a trump wig and hat yelling at black servers on the day after election day lol
Entire_Recipe_7421@reddit
As far as I know not terminated. But his last medical is very expired. Probably trying to make a last ditch effort in HIMS. Just not a good dude. Boasted about an emergency at OO after he did a qrh wrong. https://youtu.be/NdhyKrPTsHI?si=eFg6SwMpqg0ifYCC
XxVcVxX@reddit
Never heard about this one. Guess there's a track record somewhere. Hope he gets the help he needs
IgetCoffeeforCPTs@reddit
Had not heard of this, but coming from that category, I believe it.
OrderSuper2542@reddit
Is it illegal to be a Trump supporter in the airlines?
memostothefuture@reddit
"a racist trump supporter running around ATL in a trump wig and hat yelling at black servers "
you may have missed the important part of his comment.
AlpacaCavalry@reddit
It is frowned upon to throw all decorum out of the window while at work wearing a uniform that represents your company.
If you think this kind of behaviour is acceptable at any workplace that you need to be told this, I don't know what else to tell ya.
PurgeYourRedditAcct@reddit
No, most pilots are. But it is very very against policy to mix politics with the brand.
encees@reddit
More info please lol..
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCIeRWbtqBF/?igsh=MXBzN2Zyc3l6cjc1cA==
XxVcVxX@reddit
Most of the videos got taken down for damage control. Initials DO
goonsquad4357@reddit
u/x4457 you ask in another comment here for an individual to provide a source pursuant to Rule 5 but how about here? This is quite libelous and there is really no source online except for someone on tik tok complaining. Certainly not a reputable source.
SpeedbirdTK1@reddit
Is this some 2022 hire shit or what?
letsflyplanes@reddit
No, a 765 Captain at Delta is a very senior captain.
SpeedbirdTK1@reddit
He put 756 in the comment, not 765. What a ridiculous naming scheme.
thecloudcities@reddit
There are some pretty junior captains on the 757/767 though, which is probably what they meant by “756”.
Why Delta has to invent crazy fleet codes is beyond me.
letsflyplanes@reddit
It is what they meant, and maybe I’m dyslexic.
XxVcVxX@reddit
Yeah, why do they not fly the 757 on the 756 fleet? Weirdos
XxVcVxX@reddit
I get mixed up with Delta nomenclature. It's the 763/757 mixed fleet, not the 764, whichever that is.
letsflyplanes@reddit
Oh yeah it’s confusing. There’s some junior captains in the normal 757 fleet. I’m not familiar with who decided to role play in a Trump wig though.
XxVcVxX@reddit
danieloordt
jesuswantsme4asucker@reddit
Not necessarily. There was at least one that was hired in 2021/22 and upgraded almost right away.
takeoffconfig@reddit
You gotta give us an ig handle at minimum.
XxVcVxX@reddit
danieloordt
HeMustBeABoss@reddit
He flies the 767 not the 7ER
554TangoAlpha@reddit
Is that not the same thing the 756 is the 7ER at DL
XxVcVxX@reddit
7ER is the Delta fleet nomenclature
YamComprehensive7186@reddit
More info, never heard anything about this? Got a link?
TristanwithaT@reddit
Hold up, what?? Clearly I’m out of the loop lol
XxVcVxX@reddit
Most of the videos got taken down for damage control. Initials DO
thecloudcities@reddit
Wait, what?
CaptainWaders@reddit
Holy shit that’s bad. Wow. I’m all for vote for whoever you want but pulling that kind of shit is absolutely ridiculous not to mention at work.
aypho@reddit
United realizes that social media is an established part of modern day culture and everyday life, love it or hate it. Might as well take advantage of and encourage content that shows the brand in a positive light rather than trying to muzzle 100,000 employees.
IgetCoffeeforCPTs@reddit
This sounds fine in theory, and then you end up with a newhire posting selfies to instagram standing in front of a 757 with the wheels still burning that they just landed (poorly) and evaced on the runway. This is one of several social media incidents that led big D to turn against pilot influencers.
GlasairIII@reddit
It only takes one to go off the rails and suddenly the company is in a PR nightmare. Doesn't even have to be an outright scam, one of these "financial advisors" giving advice they aren't qualified to and a bunch of people get in trouble. Seems like the safe thing would be keep a firewall between your business and your employees' sleazy side hustles.
PasswordIsDongers@reddit
I don't know who the guy is, but from OP's screenshot there's nothing indicating what airline he even works for.
That seems like a reasonable way to handle his bullshit influencer shtick in a "safe" manner.
tempskawt@reddit
If your persona is built up by your job, you represent your company. Not officially, but enough that it matters.
NuttPunch@reddit
That’s also how they bent an aircraft. They don’t need real estate scam influencers or crypto shills.
x4457@reddit
Please elaborate how that is related, with a source per Rule 5.
prex10@reddit
The pilot involved in the hard landing in IAH last year that bent up the 767 has been confirmed as a former FA that was pushed through training for social media clout. They have him more opportunities than the average person until hey could no longer save face.
Hes filed a lawsuit against the company. It's public info now.
mrivc211@reddit
Of course the FA filed a lawsuit. The special treatment stopped and they did not like being held accountable just like everyone else. Worse thing you can do is give someone special treatment. All it does is create entitlement that’s going to come back and haunt you
ALTSCAP_ALTS_ALT@reddit
Any links to this "social media clout"? Unless it's all been deleted, I can't find anything that suggests he was part of UA social media
aypho@reddit
Was social media specifically mentioned in the lawsuit? I saw he was a former FA but didn’t see anything about social media.
prex10@reddit
I heard through the grapevine they wanted to use him for a bunch of Aviate promotions. Idk if it's true or not. But I "heard" that.
554TangoAlpha@reddit
Wouldn't be surprised they already have ads about former FAs turned pilot.
canadianbroncos@reddit
For real? Lmao damn
intern_steve@reddit
Link?
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/12/17/pilot-sues-united-airlines-for-defamation-over-landing-that-left-boeing-767-with-major-damage-that-took-seven-months-to-repair/
intern_steve@reddit
Thanks
justarjguy@reddit
This had literally nothing to do with social media clout. Wasn’t an influencer.
554TangoAlpha@reddit
He was also given a scholarship for training by UA. He was given alot of support and more chances than most, 100 hrs of OE.
x4457@reddit
Thank you
aypho@reddit
How are you connecting social media to a hard landing?
Cool-Acanthaceae8968@reddit
Distraction.
PM_ME_YOUR_PITOTTUBE@reddit
I know it’s annoying, but the two are not mutually exclusive. It is not a binary thing. I think it’s cringe too, but this is a hard take and absolutely far fetched.
554TangoAlpha@reddit
He himself wasn't an influencer but was given extra chances and support than most. Like a scholarship from UA for training and 100 hrs OE.
Fly_YYZ@reddit
Care to elaborate on the connection here? I absolutely don’t see it.
triple111@reddit
multiple aircraft now
Weet-Bix54@reddit
To be fair to them, they (were?) are offering a deal for mileageplus members 18-2x something, so they’re definitely oriented to the current college students and going forward towards gen z
BigBadPanda@reddit
My beef is when this “content” is created during a part 117 defined flight duty period. Want to make silly PAs and dance in the jet bridge? Fine. Come in on a day you aren’t responsible for flying a plane. Content creation is a thief of vigilance.
smbwtf@reddit
Especially with thkse crappy trading cards they've been pushing hard via social media lately
ananajakq@reddit
I’m a pretty female pilot .. if I made a social media account in my uniform it would blow up immediately. In fact i did once when I was like 23 and it hit 50k and 6 months LOL and then I deleted it because I felt incredibly cringey. I started it under the pretence that I wanted to encourage women to fly which is actually genuinely why I did it.. but the reality was that it was all a bunch of gross fucking wannabe plane spotter nerds flooding my DMs. I also just felt like.. very fake. Like I would be working a 6 leg day at my shitty regional carrier fighting for my life and then I would post “OMG guys flying is AMAZING 😄😄😄😄” because no one wants to hear how tiring the job can be lol I also lived in constant fear that I would post something that inadvertently violated some FAA legalese rule or that my airline would just fire me. So I deleted it. I worked way too hard to get where I am to get fired for social media clout. I don’t need it. I just collect my paycheck and go home now lol
Professional-Depth81@reddit
What about southwest?
TheMeltingPointOfWax@reddit
We have at least one that I know of (Big Ern or something dumb like that?). As long as you don't violate the social media guidelines, i.e. don't be a racist/misogynist/asshole then they don't care. All the flyers find it to be super cringey, but he got an endorsement deal with a crappy shoe company that advertises to pilots (yeah, that one) so he's probably laughing all the way to the bank.
In case my bias wasn't abundantly clear, pilot "influencers" are a blight on aviation and tarnish our reputation as professionals. A reputation that is already pretty suspect, given our frequent screw ups.
Flymia@reddit
I don't know, as a non-pilot guys like Big Ern make the profession look good. Have a experienced pilot, not being cringy, and clearly following protocol. You don't see any videos while the engines are on.
There is another guy at Alaska that does the same type of thing, very professional captain.
prex10@reddit
They were one of the first carriers to get it.
Insaneclown271@reddit
Da fuck is CRAFT?
sensor69@reddit
It's what us Poor's in nonFMS jets have to write down with a pencil when we receive our clearance like it's the 20th century
im-not-a-racoon@reddit
Why not just write down what they say…. Does it need a mnemonic?
Khantahr@reddit
I've never used a mnemonic, you're writing the same thing down in the same order whether you use one or not, so I've never seen the point. It can be helpful for students learning what to expect, but once you've gotten a clearance 10-20 times, it should just be in your memory anyway.
These days when I'm actually getting a verbal clearance, it usually starts with an "oh sh*t" and then a wild grab for a pen and a search for a scrap of paper. After that, it's just scribbling it down and then trying to read my own pseudo-writing.
im-not-a-racoon@reddit
Yeah, I’ve been there.
I hesitate to even reply here due to the downvote potential….
I’ve been copying clearances for around 20 years, and not once have I needed a mnemonic or something. They read it, I copy it, then I read the same stuff back. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but frankly I had no idea a mnemonic even existed for such a thing.
OompaOrangeFace@reddit
Yeah, I don't understand what craft is supposed to help with? You copy the clearance and read it back.
sensor69@reddit
They happen to say it in CRAFT order every time, so you're gonna write it that way where you intend to or not. It's also a good teaching aid for instrument students so they know what to expect
Insaneclown271@reddit
In the USA sure. I guess it works for those learning to fly. But it’s another trap that will freak you out when the clearance isn’t as expected. Expectation bias can be deadly.
nyc2pit@reddit
I'm so much dumber for having read this conversation lol
Insaneclown271@reddit
Fuck I woke up on the wrong side of the random ass care hotel I must admit.
Tahoe_Flyer@reddit
Seriously. Gatekeep how people write down a fucking clearance and say its for low time pilots. We get it kid. You’re good
sensor69@reddit
Wait til they hear that I still write T/O: and LND: to keep my times straight 😂
canadianbroncos@reddit
Lol what?
Insaneclown271@reddit
Haha yeah. I’m feeling cunty today. I can see that was a stupid remark.
sensor69@reddit
That's the whole point, if the clearance is anything other than "cleared as filed" I want to have an organized way to write the new clearance down
PurgeYourRedditAcct@reddit
I mean just write down what they say. I get that it's a good strategy for low timers but anyone in the airlines shouldn't need a mnemonic to copy a clearance. Outside of FAA land the format doesn't work anyway. The Caribbean (looking at you DR) controllers seem to randomize the info every time, sometimes with a request in the middle.
Insaneclown271@reddit
I like you.
im-not-a-racoon@reddit
Dude, don’t get mad. Was just a question
sensor69@reddit
I wasn't mad
retardhood@reddit
I had to write a clearance twice out of 6 legs on my last trip. We have to get them on the radio quite often when our route has been changed by ATC I believe. PDC is nice, but you still have to have some fast shorthand in 121
BE33_Jim@reddit
Mnemonic used when writing down one's clearance.
Cleared To
Route
Altitude
Frequency
Transponder
Insaneclown271@reddit
This is very USA specific. Just right down the clearance as given. Is it that hard?
Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit
I don't know why you're being downvoted.
After thousands of hours, it's the first time I'm hearing of CRAFT. Just write down what the ATC tells you, why would you need a mnemonic for that?
TraxenT-TR@reddit
It isn't that USA specific. Almost every clearance is given in a format like that. I fly to South America and Caribbean all the time and usually they give it in this order. Usually they actually give it CRATF and swap the transponder and dep freq but same same.
Premise tho is that our influencers here in the USA are filming themselves copying IFR clearances when they clearly have ability to pull a PDC or use CPDLC.
Insaneclown271@reddit
I guess. But trust me. A clearance in the USA is different to a clearance given anywhere else in the world.
TraxenT-TR@reddit
I mean I guess, idk if I’d personally consider Guatemala, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, etc the USA but I can understand your point. Main thing is that all clearances in the world follow an ivao standard generally. Which contains your clearance limit, the sid/routing, cleared level/altitude, squawk code, and frequency or any other information. What order they give this in could be different but it’s all relatively the same same
Insaneclown271@reddit
Yeah true. Im just a grumpy motherfucker who hates everyone these days. My bad…
BE33_Jim@reddit
I'm a dumb American. I need all the help I can get.
😀
Insaneclown271@reddit
Maybe I’ve been out of GA too long
Zealousideal_Ad_821@reddit
It’s a way to organize how you write the clearance down.
C- MCI R- SUCKME2 AF A 3/30-10 F 123.45 T-6969
LuckOld4436@reddit
That alt nomenclature is the first I've seen it written that way and I'm definitely stealing it. I'm writing 3000; 30000 10 mins on mine right now...
detailsAtEleven@reddit
"Can't Recall A Fucking Thing"
thatTheSenateGuy@reddit
Beautiful
Face88888888@reddit
Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder.
Insaneclown271@reddit
Or you can just take down the clearance whatever it is…
Maleficent-Basil8626@reddit
CPDLC≠PDC
FlowerGeneral2576@reddit
You can receive clearances via CPDLC.
Maleficent-Basil8626@reddit
Sure you can. But you can receive a PDC without CPDLC
FlowerGeneral2576@reddit
As someone that uses PDC and CPDLC daily, I just call it all CPDLC lol. If I push the ATC button on the CDU, it’s a CPDLC thing in my vocabulary.
FlowerGeneral2576@reddit
Hey man all I know is that if I’m in the USA I do the one with KUSA and if I’m not in the USA I don’t do the one with the KUSA.
videopro10@reddit
why not both?
nopal_blanco@reddit
Is it true Mesa jets can’t receive CPDLC?
Reputation_Many@reddit
No printer paper so we called everytime to get clearance. Taught you to right everything down really fast. lol
EsquireRed@reddit
Allegiant can’t.
swakid8@reddit
A lot of Regionals are not CPDLC capable…
Let’s confuse with CPDLC with getting a PDC via ACARS either which a lot of regional operators can get.
BosoxH60@reddit
And then if you’re at republic you get to write it down anyway because BB doesn’t pay for printers.
user623827169@reddit
Easiest way to tell one of our aircraft was former republic is the lack of a printer lol.
hawker1172@reddit
ACARA PDC
Burgershot621@reddit
Free the Drizzle
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
Someone has to edubucate me on the Driz bc I can’t figure out who he was (RIP) for the life of me
Burgershot621@reddit
I fought alongside of him during the meme wars, he was the most oksyexsr shitposter in the glaxay
aviator147@reddit
bless fam
legitSTINKYPINKY@reddit
Some airports legit will try and not let you get your clearance over the radio if they know you have CPDLC. I have to argue with TEB sometimes when the PDC is down.😂
Cant_Work_On_Reddit@reddit
Is copying your CRAFT like studying the blade?!?!
ATACB@reddit
"looks ok to you ?"
Hits accept and its loaded into the box
god i dont miss copying crap
Brehmin@reddit
CPDLC or not, recording yourself copying a CRAFT clearance is cringe.
NuttPunch@reddit
Pretty sure this guy doesn’t work as an airline pilot. He hangs out in the shifty 91 contract realm. There’s reasons for that I’m sure.
RyhDerr@reddit
One of my pilots in my military unit is an influencer, and he’s pretty similar to his online persona, solid guy offline too.
saxmanB737@reddit
I know we like to make fun of these guys, but if social media existed when I was in high school, I would have 100% been watching them. Back in my day, it was difficult to find information on pilot life. Sure, some are better than others. Sometimes I’ve found enjoyment watching other people do their work that I would have no idea how it works. If it makes extra cash, go for it.
Mysterious_Aviator@reddit
I fly professionally and still watch hours of aviation content on youtube. You should see my watch history haha. However, I do agree that quite some of these influencers are very cringy, but many of them are VERY good and put a lot of time and effort in their work and I appreciate it.
littleSquidwardLover@reddit
I quite like Kelsey from 74 gear.
oranges1cle@reddit
I kind of have a different take on it. I always thought of pilots as the man behind the curtain because to your point, there was no information on what really goes on up front. One of the reasons I wanted to be an airline pilot was to see for myself what happens behind the curtain, and I’d prefer to keep it that way….like esoteric.
For some reason I have no problem with GA influencers. I watched a lot of them in flight training. But it’s their plane, their time, their money. The 121 guys are different. Not their plane, not their time, not their money.
One thing is for sure, no one is going to record a video in my flight deck even if we’re at the gate.
Visual_Swimming7090@reddit
IIRC, this guy started when COVID wiped out the Airlines and pilots (including him) had to scramble for work.
CaptainNayak@reddit
Tired of these pilots picking up their IFR clearance.
The Delta influencers are the worst too IMO. Besides that one guy who lives in Alabama and flies to Bermuda every time. He’s chill
jetdriver13@reddit
Oh god what’s the name of that one insufferable Delta chick who reads back a bunch of clearances? There’s one specific one out of EYW that drives me insane
aviation992@reddit
Larissa
CaptainNayak@reddit
This one is the absolute worst. She can’t make up her mind on whether she wants to be a pilot influencer, fashion influencer, car…influencer? Her taking pictures of her nails with a Bentley Bentayga in the back made me cringe so hard. 💀
Meow-zelTov@reddit
Not to mention that her brand makes female pilots look vapid and undeserving of their positions. She seems hellbent on allowing people to believe that she’s sitting in the flight deck because of her looks and not her capabilities. How sad for her.
dogbreath67@reddit (OP)
Needs to learn to breathe while he’s talking but other than that he’s not AS bad.
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
He can’t even hold eye contact with the camera for more than three seconds at a time. It comes across as very awkward
dogbreath67@reddit (OP)
Yea it’s amazing how many comments he gets saying he has the perfect pilot voice though…. Uhhhh maybe for delta
CaptainNayak@reddit
💀😂
rileywags_n@reddit
He’s the best, I would hate to copy an IFR clearance from him but he seems awesome
Darkrise107@reddit
Name?
KingK524@reddit
What is his name?
Tiny-Snow7508@reddit
Scottsrides
Flymia@reddit
Haha, great follow. That guy is living the life.
willflyforboatmoney@reddit
I follow that guy for his cars
RemarkableScarcity8@reddit
I follow him for his 6 hours of flying a month
willflyforboatmoney@reddit
Fair, I’m sure it’s something we all aspire to lol
grain_farmer@reddit
It seems captain joe is openly supported by CargoLux
Kelsey from 74 Gear I think is now allowed to show which company (i noticed a few things that make me think it’s Atlas Air)
Darren Byrd does not show the airline but it seemed obvious to me it was AA. He mentioned filming in the cockpit is banned which is funny because Stig Aviation spends his day filming inside AA cockpits as an engineer. Darren Byrd seems the most open at explaining his compensation and how seniority works at AA. I imagine they don’t like it.
Lufthansa pilots all blur their caps, logo etc. and seem to go to extreme lengths to conceal the airline so I assume the internal policy is strict.
Eurowings seem to not care, there are YouTubers who purely film from the cockpit
Some of the Delta YouTubers are really open about it being delta.
I don’t think any airline is embarrassed, they probably don’t care. I’m surprised they don’t create guidelines and governance around it and use it as it’s great free publicity. Many of these pilots are great communicators and do great jobs at communicating how safe aviation is to the layman.
Militarybrat123@reddit
Darren is 100% AA because he used to be open about what airline he flew for before HR cracked down on it. Seems like AA used to be a lot more accepting of pilot influencers before around a year ago
bantha121@reddit
74Gear is definitely Atlas; he's flown the Dreamlifter in at least one vid
Aggressive_Let2085@reddit
Yup, and sometimes when he’s outside the plane you can see the Atlas livery peak in.
pooperdough@reddit
Paul Holte/MyLayoverLife is pretty supported too by United
prex10@reddit
Yeah he's on TV commercials now too. Was watching the NFL this weekend and spotted him in one of them.
therealorsonkrennic@reddit
He is! He's limited in what he can show (and has to be obvious when recording in the flight deck that it's while they're still at the gate), but most of his content isnt the flying stuff anyhow. United seems to have a decent grip on social media stuff for their employees. Super nice dude
PilotFlying2105@reddit
We (at Lufthansa) have internal guidelines concerning social media.
Normal social media selfies (think of what you would send to your friends etc) are fine, but if you monetize your content you aren’t allowed to show company logos or wear something that would identify the company.
Now of course there are people who take this less seriously than others, FAs especially seem to take it more as a suggestion rather than rules lol.
But the company also seems kind of squirrelly on the subject. The flight school (EFA) often uses (Lufthansa) pilot influencers on their account.
grain_farmer@reddit
I guess when you give people one chance (DLR) in their life to apply for their only national (legacy) airline it gives lots of motivation to not get in trouble.
There is also A330 driver on YouTube who mostly flies sims, always uses LH on the MCDU and almost only flies from FRA but also never mentions the airline.
Pat2304@reddit
The A330 Driver you mean flies for Condor, he began many years ago, first as a nerd regarding aviation, talked pretty much just about aviation news, later on he became cabin crew on Condor and thereafter he became a pilot, first A320 then A330. His Chanel is Aeronewsgermany and his name is Pascal.
xKingRisin@reddit
No, he’s talking about A330 Driver (his actual username). He mainly makes MSFS videos but also flies the A330, I’m presuming for Eurowings. He also flew the 737 for Ryan Air.
Numerous_Pain3419@reddit
Eurowings doesn’t operate the A330
PilotFlying2105@reddit
Maybe he’s talking about Discover. They operate the 330 and the old livery is basically Eurowings
Mysterious_Aviator@reddit
That is a really good policy!
13Read13@reddit
I've flown as a jumpseater with Byrd (didn't know who he was when I did), it is AA. He is correct that filming in the flight deck is prohibited, as is an use of personal electronic devices that you aren't using for business (I.e. you can use your phone to call dispatch, etc).
He is smart to not mention the company as he probably doesn't have any type of approval, like Swayne Martin did with envoy. AA cracks down on anything that will make them look bad online, and there is no doubt they are even watching Byrd, and ready to strike at any point where he slips up and mentions the airline in a bad light. However, since he never explicitly says AA, and does his best to hide AA logos from what I've seen, they really can't do much to him.
grain_farmer@reddit
Ahhh, that explains why it’s ok for Stig then.
Mysterious_Aviator@reddit
LH is hard to hide when you're seeing them fly the A340-600.
NotASwinger69@reddit
Curt looks like a literal thumb. He repost other people’s job ads as his to drive up engagement. He IS a busy contract captain in socal, but even he knows it’s not a long term thing as he is at American, and Alaska before that.
THE WORST THING is charging 600 dollars to have dinner with him to just give literally free advice. Insane.
IgetCoffeeforCPTs@reddit
AA knowingly lets him fly for hire on the side? Thats a huge no no where I am and at previous companies.
NotASwinger69@reddit
No, he’s on leave.
CoryFly@reddit
I honestly don’t think it should matter. You do you and if you get to be successful at it then awesome. Whatever pays the bills. It’s always been one of my goals to build an actual following on any platform that monetizes it. I got student loans to pay!
pooperdough@reddit
This! People just love to hate
ComfortablePatient84@reddit
On target right there! Moreover, the people who love to hate are a small cabal of losers, who tend to collect together. This is why highly questionable OP's like we see here, that actually come rather close to libelous action, get over 500 likes. It's the cabal and the fake accounts lining up to support themselves to stir the pot and provide click bait.
pooperdough@reddit
They hate yet watch similar creators that do more or less the same thing
Mountain-Bag-6427@reddit
I think it matters if you pay your bills by lying to gullible fans and selling them shady "seminars".
CoryFly@reddit
One way social media influencers or digital creators make money is through affiliate marketing. By taking a product and getting paid to promote it in a video. I haven’t seen these seminars you mentioned but I see a lot of products, and subscription services. It’s apart of the norm as an influencer.
Mountain-Bag-6427@reddit
He sells tickets to a "pilot conference" right in the screenshot.
CoryFly@reddit
I see that but I haven’t had any experience with that so I can’t really speak on it. I mean on my socials I linked my drop shipping site so this type of thing isn’t uncommon. If the conference itself is legit or not I don’t know.
Fun_Market1780@reddit
Agreed, don’t get why you’d spend any time or energy worried about what someone else is doing.
Gold-Weather_69@reddit
Scammer in the making
Rwm90@reddit
I’m embarrassed by it
Severe-Photo-1977@reddit
lol, I went to high school with this guy
dasboot523@reddit
It's always a real estate "investor" or as I call them debt maxers.
Mksh23@reddit
I remember an AF "influencer" pilot posting a picture on social media where you could see ECAM warnings. The guy deleted it after a shitstorm of comments like "Monetize. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate."
I know the Social Media and Pilot Management kept on asking him to stop posting and yet the guy continued.
To be honest imho there should be absolutely no picture or videos below a certain level or during certain phases. Same for those guys putting 5x GoPro taped to the windshield and so on. I remember an ASR because one go pro fell down and blocked the rudder pedals during a landing...
PM_ME_YOUR_FOQA@reddit
Every pilot influencer is cringe.
Hyperious3@reddit
only respectable one as far as I'm concerned is MentourPilot since their content is mostly focused on investigations and safety, rather than being about "look how cool my life is"
Darrowke@reddit
Check out his old content then!
pilots who've had him in the sim aren't too happy about him either..
dcl415@reddit
Every influencer is cringe
veryrare_v3@reddit
Pays the bills tho
JoshuaStarAuthor@reddit
I’d swallow my pride and be a cringey embarrassing influencer if it paid the bills. Too bad my boobs are of the male variety
PullDoNotRotate@reddit
man-boobies distinctively unpopular
ObviousExplorer113@reddit
Better get yourself a manzier and contain those tig floppy bitties.
RobertWilliamBarker@reddit
Idk...... there are a lot of freaks out there. You never know. Go shoot your shot!
lebnax@reddit
What about Captain Steve
rihannasbutthole@reddit
I love Captain Steeve! I'm glad i didn't see his name mentioned negatively anywhere
FailedCriticalSystem@reddit
I love Captain Steeeve. As well as Big Ern. Captain Steve wants to answer questions about flying and I think it's great that he does it.
CJKFM@reddit
Big Ern is a good dude. I have met him a few times around the OK Corral and once in DAL. He is not stuck up and doesn't put his content before the FO. * I have not watched his content but he also wasn't annoying IRL.
Dabbinstein@reddit
Seconding Big Ern. His style has changed over time, but he seems like a solid dude.
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
He’s about as good as a pilot influencer can get. Still cringey and way too much in love with himself, but that’s par for the course. I cringed hard at his deicing reel, where he repeatedly referred to Type 1 and 4 as fluids that raise 🤦 the freezing temperature 🤦
DonnerPartyPicnic@reddit
Redwood? I think he does it the correct way. Doesn't shove airlines down your throat, just small tidbits and his chipmunk GA stuff. My wife also loves working with him, says he's incredibly nice.
Swimming-Ad2377@reddit
Back when I was a helicopter instructor I came out to my student while he was preflighting and he had set up 3 go pro’s to “document” his lesson in a R22….Dude was more focused on recording than retaining his lessons.
SummerInPhilly@reddit
I had to read three times times before I realised you weren’t coming out (of the closet) to your student
Obvious-Hunt19@reddit
I’m still not certain
BuzzTheTower12@reddit
Not really. I think what’s “cringe” is complaining about everything and being a negative person.
Ok-Mortgage3563@reddit
No? Are you one of the 18 year old retards who only got his PPL to show off to chicks? It’s a safety sensitive professional industry. Cucks like this are what make the average person look down on pilots and take what we say less seriously.
It’s embarrassing, it’s cringe and airlines need to implement stricter policies to prevent narcissistic douche bags like yourself from ever stepping foot in the flight deck of an airliner.
BuzzTheTower12@reddit
Wow, looks like I really struck a nerve with you. And you’re also mad about young people becoming pilots 😂. Mad that some 18 year olds already have their lives figured out. What were you doing at 18? Probably smoking weed and partying. Nobody said that they don’t care about safety. Never even said anything remotely narcissistic. You have a lot of issues that you’re projecting.
precense_@reddit
amen it waters down our profession
ComfortablePatient84@reddit
Interesting that you picked out a screen capture from one social media site which on surface does not directly link this pilot to any airline or charter service, but simply references that he's a commercial pilot and on the side is a real estate agent.
If you are going to rail on a subject, perhaps pick a more egregious example. I don't see anything wrong with what that person is doing. We have something called freedom of speech, and if any private corporation tried to tell its employees they must withdraw from social media, then they would likely face a civil lawsuit, likely class action. Based on previous examples, these employees' lawsuit would likely prevail on the merits.
Corporations have every right to protect unauthorized use of their logos, uniforms, mottos, and trademarks, including termination for employees who would violate any such policies. But, again, I don't see any of that in the example you provided. Even blown up to full size, I don't see anything that associates that man with his company.
In conclusion, people should have freedom to engage in the hobbies and other ventures on their private time that they please and corporations should have nothing to say about it. I also take a dim view of cherry picking one example as you did and make heated comments without providing anything in the way of background to substantiate the inferences you make.
jetdriver13@reddit
I rejected a pilot resume recently that said “YouTube partner.” Yeah, no thanks.
countzero84@reddit
🤣🤣🤣
PlatinumAero@reddit
Who cares
ObviousExplorer113@reddit
‘Captain Curt’ isn’t much of a pilot—he’s a walking midlife crisis repackaged as a business model. The guy’s entire vibe feels like the aviation version of a used car salesman who just discovered Instagram.
He’s an embarrassment to the profession.
Actual_Environment_7@reddit
Imagine trading the respect of your peers for the admiration of strangers.
MammothAd7334@reddit
Hahahahaha! Yeaaaaa
Constant-Ease-69@reddit
I drive rideshare to pay for flight hours, I drove this guy. He’s kind of a douche. I tried talking about flying with him and he was super short/dismissive.
Guysmiley777@reddit
"Hey pal, if you want to talk about flying you can buy a ticket to my seminar like everyone else"
countzero84@reddit
🤣
Fun_Lifeguard2747@reddit
Oh yeah, it damages professionalism and public trust when you have a nervous flier come across a pilot with a gopro or mini mic online then in person.
The HR and management watches them like hawks and restrict some content (wearing uniform, filming in sterile phases of flight etc) to find a reason to give them a meeting.
Its more cringe and funny however alot of pilots I know really hate the silly thirst trap clearence readback videos.
Busy-Examination8821@reddit
Chautauquanaut, Swayne, Big Ern, and CA steve can stay. The rest, please leave.
aviator147@reddit
Chautauquanaut isn't even an influencer, he is our meme lord and savior.
More_Drummer_3933@reddit
I’m just here for the Hot Squirrel Content 🐿️😎
ducky2000@reddit
Don't forget your safety vest, king 👑
554TangoAlpha@reddit
They are aware and watching, trust me. Though some airlines like UA have encouraged it, even going so far as having social media influencer camps that are company sponsored. They do have general guidelines and rules obviously. Other airlines sort of tolerate it.
prex10@reddit
The MEC on the other hand has made pretty clear to stop it though. I've noticed a bunch of people have seemingly complied.
554TangoAlpha@reddit
I must’ve missed that among all the cryptic recall MEC emails lol
prex10@reddit
Came out a while ago.
What a shit show. And now ensue the millennial vs boomer rants that are popping up now on the UPF and meme page
Shinsf@reddit
Not in uniform, not representing the company, doesn't matter what the company wants.
Swimming-Ad2377@reddit
Unfortunately a lot of HR depts would beg to differ. It’s becoming increasingly difficult trying to keep work and personal lives separate.
ApprehensiveVirus217@reddit
Yup. I had to sign some pretty expansive employee conduct / social media agreements / NDA for my current job. Really encouraged me to clean out my socials, only allow people I personally know to follow, and make all my shit private.
You never know the crazy that’s out there and best to not make a walking advert that you fly rich and famous people around.
run264fun@reddit
Makes sense. I was thinking the other day how little pilots that fly for big name celebrities would even mention anything.
I’m guessing the pilots that fly Taylor Swift around would require to have zero presence on social media. If that the case, I’d apply to a company with that kind of policy.
branda22@reddit
So sick of these airline influencers with the same content over and over again in a layover hotel room. Hope one goes off the rails so the airlines ban this nonsense.
Babyjoka@reddit
I like captain steve and maybe one or two others who just show the day in the life of a pilot traveling their usual cross country over water trips to Japan etc
TGoons@reddit
Scott’s rides might have him beat.
LaserRanger_McStebb@reddit
I would never advertise with pride that I'm a "Real Estate Investor". Those people are basically everyone's enemy, doubly-so for pilots who want to keep small local airports in operation.
spideyghetti@reddit
He looks like an egg
Right-Suggestion-667@reddit
You guys remember aviator Chavez at envoy or captain moonbeam at psa before that got banned
Altruistic-Cod1330@reddit
Yep.
MontgomeryEagle@reddit
Big Ern is heavily embraced by WN and is one of their hiring pilots. He also co-owns some sort of charter/broker company, I think with the guy who wrecked his Cirrus at PRB.
Obvious_Noise@reddit
Met the dude, he flies part 91 as a Gulf stream pilot, flies for American just enough to stay current. Pretty cool guy, doesn’t claim to own a charter company. Most of his content is actually about real estate investing
azpilot06@reddit
Curt does not, and never has, flown for American (nor does he claim to). He flew for OO when he was younger (when OO still had turboprops), and has been a contract pilot for most of his flying career. He currently flies G-Vs.
CaptainWaders@reddit
I didn’t know he also flew for American. Interesting
Obvious_Noise@reddit
If I had to guess he probably keeps it on the DL because of people like OP
vivalamaximillien@reddit
I physically cringe whenever one of these pilot influencers pop up on my feed, I have no idea how these guys have the stomach to prepare, record and upload this type of garbage - I can't even stand watching it nevermind actually creating it...
BuzzTheTower12@reddit
Why do you care so much if people like to showcase the lifestyle of an airline pilot? You seem so offended.
StormNo9623@reddit
Because it cheapens our brand as professional airline pilots. We don't need our own pilots volunteering to create content in hopes of making a buck for themselves while the company gets a free recruiting tool.
How about we all STFU so that the airlines can handle that problem.
The last thing we need is more hoards of people becoming airline pilots because they saw something on IG from an influencer.
BuzzTheTower12@reddit
Why are you against other people being “influenced” to become pilots? That’s a good thing if influencers make more people interested in this career field. Or do you like to gatekeep the profession?
Fromthedeepth@reddit
Yes. That's exactly why this sub hates influencers, they dislike that they remove some of the alleged mystique in being a pilot. They don't like that the dirty, unwashed masses get a glimpse.
https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/comments/1i0rht8/are_airlines_embarrassed_by_this/m71kl3w/
This guy explains it perfectly, he's just the only one that's actually honest.
nineyourefine@reddit
Because "influencers" are cringe as fuck and are not a good representation of what this career actually is.
I don't think anyone is trying to gatekeep, I would love to see more young people get into this career, but these clickbait videos are not telling the truth, which is why so many of us roll our eyes when we see them.
Most of these people do it for themselves and to feed their own ego rather than to actually help others get into the career.
BuzzTheTower12@reddit
Who exactly is “clickbaiting?” I have yet to see that. Most pilot influencers literally just film their lifestyle, and some things from the job. Some of them are a little cringe, but most post very harmless content.
LigmaUpDog_@reddit
Oof
thatTheSenateGuy@reddit
I'd assume for people like MyLayoverLife, Swayne Martin (whether you like him or not), FlywithBigErn are beneficial and probably borderline encouraging people for their respective airline.
jskoker@reddit
I had a run in with Swayne back when he was at Envoy. I was with one of the higher managers working on an important project when he came in. He basically kicked me out of the manager's office so he could talk to them. No I'll let you finish the conversation or anything. The manager came to me like an hour later so apologetic about the situation.
PilotG2_07@reddit
MyLayoverLife is literally in a united commercial lol
Worried-Ebb-1699@reddit
I can't stand his material.
Joe_Littles@reddit
Lol a friend just asked if this was legit.. sigh. Fuck every single one of these “speakers” and their grift. As if it wasn’t good enough to already be sitting in legacy captain seats, they want to prey on desperate people too? Get fucked.
aviation992@reddit
That's exactly what the majority of these peoples' followers are... desperate people trying to figure out how to be a pilot. They act like they're doing a selfless deed by showing off their morning gym routine or copying their IFR clearance. In reality, they're just dangling their success in the faces of people desperate for that life, 99.9% of whom will never have the means to make it. It's actually disgusting
Happy_787@reddit
20 bucks is 20 bucks
JovialPanic389@reddit
Report the profile to American Airlines!
JovialPanic389@reddit
Dudes shirt is so tight his head is gonna pop off
Own_Peace6291@reddit
I'd be embarassed. Idk about HR
AJohnnyTruant@reddit
I couldn’t imagine taking career advice from one of the thumb monsters from Spy Kids
mokneyman@reddit
I spit out my wine.
wearthedaddypants2@reddit
Thumb Thumbs! Freaky bastards...
njtalp46@reddit
Floop's flooglies
TomVonServo@reddit
“Captain Curt.” Listen, Mr. Polyester Pants…just shut up and drive the bus.
Plastic_Brick_1060@reddit
Curt's dad is hiding out
Main_Violinist_3372@reddit
Only aviation “influencers” (if you can call them that) that I like are Steve Giordano and Bob Allen aka CaptainBedBug
Background-Interview@reddit
I like Mentour Pilot. I think his stuff is really informative. But idk if he classes as “influencer”
Main_Violinist_3372@reddit
Absolutely, considering that he’s a training captain at his airline he’s much more of a subject matter expert on incidents/accidents than some of these “influencers”. I believe he has taken a leave of absence to focus more on his channel.
canadianbroncos@reddit
"come with me on a 3 day trip as an airline pilot"
Proceeds to literally all have the same "in line for coffee " shit, "cockpit on the ground/clearance" shot and finish it off with getting in the cab and a "hotel room door opening" shot lol. Bonus if you are at Untied and have a "hat toss" shot where you tag each other lol.
If at least these fuckers had originality and variety lol.
Worried-Ebb-1699@reddit
If you are attending this timeshare conference disaster marketed as a pilot 'network' presentation.. please give a trip report.
FYI- read his website... it's lectures. you sit, maybe ask a question. NEXT SPEAKER. the end.... If you think this is going to be some holy grail of networking... I have zero clue what you mean because what job are they offering? NONE.
nakedskiing@reddit
Im an airline pilot and its so cringe it hurts my soul
MartonianJ@reddit
So Captain Curt is actually an FO?
felinefluffycloud@reddit
They are using up headspace on this. I, as a passenger can't afford it. Also he's chasing the pleasure of the upvote at the expense of the flying job. When I see them in the cockpit jabbering that is unsettling.
DramShopLaw@reddit
Real estate investor… gross!
landcruiser33@reddit
I know this guy and let's just say he gets loud when he drinks.
damastah93@reddit
Is he just an FO at American? He’s on Facebook shooting out advice left and right like he knows what he’s talking about doing it for 10+ years lol
pilotshashi@reddit
I bet this Mr. IG is reading this post's comment 🤪
cutchemist42@reddit
I find a lot of the pilot feeds are really cringey and thirsty.
554TangoAlpha@reddit
Some are alright, some are cringe, some are downright rapey.
BeautifulView6880@reddit
Fucking cringe
veryrare_v3@reddit
I for one like Gear_Down
TristanwithaT@reddit
That dude is a tool
veryrare_v3@reddit
lol okay ? I wonder if you just live life in misary
intern_steve@reddit
It's spelled Missouri
TristanwithaT@reddit
I’m not particularly a fan of anyone who drives their car 100+ mph through traffic on busy freeways. And records instagram stories while doing it.
CaptainWaders@reddit
Gear down is different though. He says he is basically early retirement from a previous career. He is in a unique position to contract fly basically as a side job. Hees not trying to be anyone because it seems like he already is someone before aviation.
0621Hertz@reddit
I’m more of a Trevor Jacob kind of guy
schmookeeg@reddit
Is it the need to generate alimony payments that see so many 121 pilots with side hustles? I don't know any without one.
If all of these clowns are bored and trying to fill the time, maybe we need to relax the duty rules a bit.
Joe_Littles@reddit
Same. I have zero desire for a side hustle. Perfectly content to sit at home.
SnooHesitations1718@reddit
Bros a fan
aypho@reddit
Ah yes, our weekly thread about influencers. I was surprised we made it until after lunch on Monday before someone posted about.
takeoffconfig@reddit
Honestly more fun than the "regionals aren't calling! am I cooked?" threads.
veryrare_v3@reddit
It’s Reddit, you HAVE to hate influencers.
Anphsn@reddit
At least he doesn’t do “come pick up an IFR clearance with me” vids
dogbreath67@reddit (OP)
You’re not wrong.
Negative_Swan_9459@reddit
This hiring spree has left a permanent stain.
flyingmoa7@reddit
Username checks out
Negative_Swan_9459@reddit
Truthbomb was taken
dylan_hawley@reddit
How lame
clarkeyaviation@reddit
They should be but probably not
downwindsavage@reddit
Who cares, let people live the way they want. They know social media is a double edge sword, it can improve or kill their career instantly.
I certainly can guarantee these guys don’t care about your opinion and if you get rid of one, another one will come and step up and do it.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Do the HR departments at airlines feel the pain of hiring grifters who masquerade as full time charter pilots on social media while they are actually employed by a major airline, and don’t even put their actual employment on their LinkedIn page? People like this sell courses and conduct entire seminars under false premises. I mean this guy, for example, claims to run his own charter company while he is actually an FO at American. Do they allow them to go on permanent leave while they run their charter op or is it purely a social media grift? Just wondering if anyone has any insight.
Please downvote this comment until it collapses.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.
Superb-Associate-222@reddit
I follow a few that I enjoy. They genuinely seem helpful and it doesn’t seem to interfere with their flying duties. Some come off as overly obnoxious though.
Bravo-Buster@reddit
What's wrong with a pilot having another job outside of his airline? I personally think "influencer" is the dumbest thing that's ever happened to the internet, but some are making fairly decent $$ from it.
I know a United pilot that runs a flight school and is a DPE. Different outside work, but still, another job altogether.
Sea-Objective-4954@reddit
He looks like a human egg
Due-Ad-3123@reddit
He has never once claimed to own a charter company
tooredit@reddit
As an ATCer that sits in a dark room 8-10 hours a day I appreciate the posts. It reminds me of why I pursued a career in aviation.
Mr-cacahead@reddit
I really dont care social media has little to no impact in my life.
FattyRipz@reddit
I used to work in that hangar in his third pic
stephenbmx1989@reddit
No
prex10@reddit
To be frank.
No airlines aren't embarrassed by it.
ALPA doesn't like it though
dogbreath67@reddit (OP)
He’s on the AA seniority list. He’s an FO based in LAX
FriskyFritos@reddit
I mean in the commenters defense he looks like a 135 pilot. Not all of us religiously follow these guys on social, or even have socials
Red_Bengal_Cyclone@reddit
What is he? A flight attendant or just a fraud?
prex10@reddit
A corporate pilot
FlyinngDawg@reddit
Just to add to this....
ALPA is fighting to not have camera's placed in the cockpit. Having influencers record themselves leaves lawmakers and others to gain the opinion that pilots are ok with being recorded since they just post their job online.
bustervich@reddit
This pretty well sums up my opinion on 99.99% of these people: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AJmYz89En/?mibextid=wwXIfr
PullDoNotRotate@reddit
"It depends," but the reality is that the people who really know the hiring secrets do not (and cannot) talk about them under some really serious NDAs.