I forgot to add this. I kinda like the guy or gal upfront in the left seat to have a few gray hairs. It bothers me when I see dudes that has only been shaving a few years in the left seat. I know they are good and must pass very stringent standards but I still like a few grey hairs in the left seat.
In reference to female pilots I have absolutely no problems. When I got my tickets, the best instructor was an incredible beautiful lady. When we were in an aircraft her sex and beauty were of absolutely no factor. During training I did not even realize she was beautiful nor a women. She was a professional doing her job. She was 100% professional and good at what she did. That is the reason I selected her to be my instructor.
Today she is a very senior captain with Southwest Airlines. She earned her position by her skill!
Decades of teaching USAF UPT. . .the BEST female pilot I ever saw was “good,”. . .not excellent, not brilliant, not highly skilled. Just plain good.
Our flight deck door is open while people board and when they see me in that right seat most of them say “Right on” - I love making those announcements on the PA knowing there’s some mussies on board.