Okay .... I just, as my grandmother used to say, cannot hold my Irish any longer:
1. What is this thread about? This makes me insane how this happens. A simple comment or question turns into, not a deabte, rather an argument.
If you ask a simple question, you end up getting interrogated about the intent of your question; or someone hangs onto one phrase or word in your post and "bulldogs" it.
2. You make a very kind response to someone and s/he does not have the good manners to reply, but they just further their point no matter how erroneous, as if they have nothing to learn -- because they already know it all.
3. There was nothing sexist in the OP, IMHO.
Men like women, women like
men, men like men, and women like women. We already know that. I have heard and read sexist and I know it when I see/hear it.
4. Eduation is important, but it does not substitute for experience. License and
certification are proof that you knew (or memorized) something for a window of time.
Training and experience are vital. I have a son who was USCG and a nephew who is still USAF (Major/F-15 E Pilot) and they will both tell you a little humility goes a long way.
5. Even the
commercial crusieline captains have pilots come aboard in the channels and other certain situations, because they are experienced at what they do. However, if we did not require licensing, at a minimum, in some industries we would have disasters like the Concordia on a regular basis. However, IMHO -- the
captain of the Concordia was a coward and was completely irresponsible -- these are character flaws, they have little to do with Maritime Education. He should have learned better in third grade.
6. I stand in awe at the
work that some of the posters on this thread, and this forum, do. Amazing and courageous.
I'm better now, thank you.
Darby