Passenger to Pilot: Proverbs 31 Says the 'Cockpit is No Place for a Woman' (PHOTO)

Canadian Passenger References Scripture in Sexist Note to Female Pilot

By Daniel Distant, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, March 05, 2014

David left a note for Capt. Carey Smith Steacy on her flight from Calgary, Albert to Victoria, British Columbia in March 2014 trying to justify sexist prejudices with Proverbs 31. | Carey Smith Steacy/Facebook

A passenger's pilot happened to be a woman, and the resulting sexist letter he left for her prompted her to post the note on Facebook for all to see. To add insult to injury, the passenger attempted to use the Bible to justify why no woman should fly a plane.

The passenger was only identified as "David," while the pilot of the WestJet airlines plane was Carey Smith Steacy of Canada, according to Metro News. Steacy, who has 17 years' experience as a pilot, was flying from Calgary, Alberta to Victoria, British Columbia when David left the note unceremoniously scribbled on a napkin.

"To Capt. /WestJet," the note began. "The cockpit of (an) airlier [sic] is no place for a woman. A woman being a mother is the most honor not as 'captain' Proverbs 31 (Sorry not P.C.) P.S. I wish WestJet could tell me a fair lady is at the helm so I can book another flight! [We're] short mothers not pilots WestJet."

The letter has little to do with Steacy's reality: she is a mother of two children, and so already enjoys the honor of motherhood. Furthermore, the Scripture David referenced has nothing to do with her station as a pilot— Proverbs 31 talks about a virtuous woman that is capable, works hard and fears God.

David's letter brought support from many people over social media, who didn't hesitate to call his thoughts "sexist," "arrogant" and plain old "rude." Steacy responded to the controversy as well.

"To @David in 12E on my flight #463 from Calgary to Victoria today. It was my pleasure flying you safely to your destination," Steacy wrote. "You made sure to ask the flight attendants before we left if I had enough hours to be the Captain so safety is important to you, too. … You were more than welcome to deplane when you heard I was a 'fair lady.'"

"Funny, we all, us humans, have the same rights in this great free country of ours. Now, back to my most important role, being a mother," she added.

WestJet released a statement in support of Steacy and her flight record.

"We are enormously proud of the professionalism, skills and expertise of our pilots and we were disappointed to see this note," WestJet said.