Tim writes:

There may be some in the community who feel more special because they
fly, but that is not the norm.

Perhaps the abnormal ones are strangely attracted ot USENET, then.

Actually, however, the USENET syndrome is not unique to pilots. It's much
more closely associated with IQ than occupation.

However, that has not been my experience. I think your view is skewed
because you feel ostracized by those whom you belittle and whom you
think you are better than because yo have 10000 hours in barons and 747s
and they have just a few hundred hours in old cessnas with old analog
radio tuners and no autopilots...

It makes no difference to me; I'm a veteran of USENET, and the chattering of a
few parrots causes me no stress.

What would you say to someone who said he knew Paris better than most
Parisians, yet had never been there.

I'd find it hard to believe based on the assertion alone, but it's certainly
possible that he might be right.

THis person watched videos of the Eifel tower, read about the Louvre,
ate french bread from the local bakery from his local town in the USA.
He/she also had "conversations" in french with his computer language
tutor program.

All of those would certain improve his knowledge of Paris, and there are
Parisians who would already know less than he if he were to do that.

He/she even took lessons in how to surrender and hold his/her hands
up so he/she would be more French.

I don't see the connection.

It is not hard to fly. Most people can learn to do it.

Agreed. The obstacles actually have nothing to do with flying per se.

Most people though have false notions that it is overly complicated, too
expensive or something that is too dangerous.

It is indeed very expensive, very time-consuming, and involves a tremendous
amount of red tape and many odd conditions. These are the many reasons why
there are not more pilots.

I've never met a pilot who wasn't thrilled to meet other pilots or who
disuaded others about learning to fly. On the contrary - all the
members of this "elitist club" (that you like to call it) usually go out
of their way to introduce others to the joy and fun of flying and will
mentor, give free flights, teach, talk about it or do anything else to
promote this passion of theirs.

Not so. They dislike simulation.

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