Co-pilots Options

[RLM]

Recently, I was reading a RV magazine wherein they used the term “co-pilot” for a female spouse. I have heard it used a dozen times before and I realize it’s a standard term used for some time. However, I thing it is used more likely by the senior generation of RVers who have been indoctrinated and have accepted the term.

Albeit, I have a few of my own gendered prejudices, I never have liked what is perhaps a male chauvinist tag and my wife dislikes it even more since she is perfectly capable of driving and operating every aspect of the rig. On more than one occasion, she has reminded me that the bus gets much better fuel economy if I first raise the leveling jacks. It’s those types of co-operator functions that make us a team, not pilot and co-pilot.

Does being the pilot mean that the male driver is always in charge and gets to give the orders or does it mean that he gets all the blame for screwing up? In the aviation industry the two up front are the Captain and First Officer. Obviously, the Captain is first on the blame line, but his duty title is earned from many more years of experience than that of the FO. Since we typically purchase a RV as a family and start the learning curve at the same time, aviation hierarchy doesn’t necessarily apply.

Now if the ladies who read my post prefer just to hold the map and tune the radios as a co-pilot, that’s ok. However, I’d like to have another term for my partner and equal team member that reflects her skills and contributions in operating our rig. Anyone have a suggestion?

[RLM]

dog bone> I have 13000 hours logged in both helicopters and airplanes as a military pilot. So I ask this question- if there were two equally qualified aircraft commanders on board, then the one in the right seat would have to relegate him/herself to "assisting" and be called the co-pilot?

I respectfully suggest that no professional pilot would ever use the co-pilot term regardless of who is in the right seat.

fosterImposters> She doesn't much care for computers. Thank you God .. is My Co-Pilot!!!

I give up and am cashing in my chips on this one. I don't regret bringing up the topic, but it appears that it isn't a big deal with most folks. The prevelance of team runs thru out the thread. I suspect that is all that is important.

PS: Silvana> I really have to ask. What kind of "entertainment?"

[Silvana]

PS: Silvana> I really have to ask. What kind of "entertainment?"
[/quote]

What do you think??

Actually, some really bad singing.