SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A Bay Area pilot is making aviation history this Women’s History Month.
For the first time in 100 years, a woman has been named United Airlines’ most senior pilot, and she is based in San Francisco.
Captain Chresten Wilson joined us to talk about her historic achievement.
Wilson said she has been with the airline for 42 years and has been a captain for 31 years.
When reflecting on the legacy and how much has changed since she first started, she said, “Primarily the changes have been technology as far as flying the airplane, flying the old 737s to what we fly now with all the new technology.”
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We then asked how things have changed, specifically as a woman, since she began her career.
“Well, that’s been interesting, ya know, attitudes have changed for the most part, we’re very accepted and considered a part of the team,” Wilson said.
Captain Wilson explained that seniority plays a major role in the airline industry. “It determines your schedule, what cities you get to fly to, what days off you have.”
Wilson added that one of the challenges of the career is missing holidays and birthdays. She said seniority also determines “which airplane you fly, and which seat you’re in, and whether you’re a first officer or a copilot or a captain.”
Captain Wilson’s achievement marks a historic moment for United Airlines and a meaningful milestone during Women’s History Month.
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