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United Airlines has helped create a lasting memory this Women’s History Month, with Chresten Wilson, a San Francisco-based pilot, being named the airline’s most senior pilot. Wilson, who has flown for United for over four decades, has been an operating captain for more than 31 years.
This marks the first time that a female has held this role at the airline, celebrating the airline’s next chapter and allowing Wilson to speak on her reflection of the last 40 years flying for the airline, while also acknowledging the continued advancements in technology for the aviation industry.
Working As A Team
Looking back across the last four decades, Wilson was asked by ABC7News what the biggest changes that you have faced, and how the industry has changed and now supports female pilots. The now most senior pilot commended how all females today are well supported as part of the team.
Technology has also advanced in the last half of the century, from flying small aircraft, all the way through to the latest state-of-the-art widebodies. Technology is now at the forefront of modern aviation. Now comfortably in the new role, the San Francisco-based pilot commented that seniority in the industry has become crucially important, as this determines where you fly and where you sit. A snippet of her comments below:
“It determines your schedule, what cities you get to fly to, what days off you have. Which airplane you fly, and which seat you’re in, and whether you’re a first officer or a copilot or a captain.”
Number 1 Out of 18,000
Already the airline’s number one female pilot, her new appointment as the number one pilot for United Airlines was celebrated at the gate before a Boeing 787 service from 
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) non-stop to Melbourne Airport(MEL) in Australia. The speech was made by Wilson and first officer Lori McGibney.
McGibney made no secret that the airline is incredibly proud of Captain Wilson and how far she has come since joining the airline exactly 41 years ago. Being now posted to the top pilot spot marks the first time a female has ever held the role. Wilson commented that holding the title was ‘very special’.
Wilson first started her tenure at United Airlines as a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 flight engineer, before eventually being promoted to become a Boeing 737 First officer. This gradually saw Wilson grow up the ranks as a First Officer on larger aircraft including the 747, 757, and 767, before eventually gaining her four stripes as a 737 and Airbus A320 captain.
These Are United Airlines’ Leading Hubs By Passenger Numbers
Newark is the main United hub, while it has other major hubs in other airports across the country.
Worked Her Way To The Top
After working for several years as a narrow-body aircraft captain, Wilson gradually made her way into operating some of United Airlines flagship aircraft including the Boeing 777, and more recently the 787 Dreamliner. The 787 Dreamliner now operates some of United’s most iconic and unique routes from San Francisco, including Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Wilson remembered her first memories of wanting to become a pilot, including driving past the United Airlines Training Centre in Denver, Colorado, and recalled there being no female airline pilots when she was a child. Remaining focused and steadfast for her career goal, it appears nothing has stopped Wilson from reaching the pinnacle of her career as now becoming United’s most senior pilot.
The very humble Wilson noted three female pilots who were pioneers as female pilots in a male-heavy industry, recalling the names of three of the first females hired by United into pilot roles (Gail Gorski, first United woman pilot), Debbie Powers (First Officer) and Jean Harper (Flight Engineer).
United Airlines is the US’s largest carrier by fleet size, operating more than 1,070 aircraft across 395 domestic and international routes. The airline was founded in 1926, and this April 6, the airline will celebrate its 100th anniversary. United was also a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance by market share.
