Meryl Getline
Encyclopedia
Meryl Jan Getline is an American
pilot
, author, and columnist.
, Getline grew up in San Diego, California
. She first became interested in flying while in college, and persisted despite a bout of airsickness during her first flying lesson. She attempted to join the military and become a pilot there, but circumstances constrained her to work mostly in air traffic control.
Her first position as an airline pilot was with a California-based commuter airline, during which time she earned a type rating on the McDonnell Douglas DC-10
. It is possible she was the first American woman to do this. She later joined regional airline Wien Air Alaska, which hired her during a pilots' strike. In 1985, she was hired by United Airlines
, also during a pilot's strike action
. In 2006, she retired eight years early from the company.
Getline holds a wide variety of airman certificates, including ATP, AMEL, commercial pilot, ASEL, rotorcraft, control tower operator, flight engineer, and ground instructor, as well as type ratings for the Airbus A320
, Boeing 727
, Boeing 737
, Boeing 777
, Cessna Citation
, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10
.
She currently resides in Elizabeth, Colorado
.
from 2004 to 2006
entitled “Ask the Captain,” in which she answered questions about air travel. She has also written for other publications, including the Christian Science Monitor and Road & Travel Magazine
; and as of 2006, she was a regular contributor to Executive Travel magazine.
She has made guest appearances on television news programs, such as ABC
's News Now, to discuss her career and the issues facing women in aviation, and also speaks before groups on similar aviation-related subjects.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
, author, and columnist.
Biography
Born in Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
, Getline grew up in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. She first became interested in flying while in college, and persisted despite a bout of airsickness during her first flying lesson. She attempted to join the military and become a pilot there, but circumstances constrained her to work mostly in air traffic control.
Her first position as an airline pilot was with a California-based commuter airline, during which time she earned a type rating on the McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
. It is possible she was the first American woman to do this. She later joined regional airline Wien Air Alaska, which hired her during a pilots' strike. In 1985, she was hired by United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
, also during a pilot's strike action
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
. In 2006, she retired eight years early from the company.
Getline holds a wide variety of airman certificates, including ATP, AMEL, commercial pilot, ASEL, rotorcraft, control tower operator, flight engineer, and ground instructor, as well as type ratings for the Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
, Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
, Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
, Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
, Cessna Citation
Cessna Citation
The Cessna Citation is a marketing name used by Cessna for its line of business jets. Rather than one particular model of aircraft, the name applies to several "families" of turbofan-powered aircraft that have been produced over the years...
, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
.
She currently resides in Elizabeth, Colorado
Elizabeth, Colorado
The Town of Elizabeth is a Statutory Town that is the most populous town in Elbert County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,434 at the U.S. Census 2000.-History:...
.
Work
Getline has written a number of books based on her experiences as a pilot, and wrote a regular column for USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
from 2004 to 2006
entitled “Ask the Captain,” in which she answered questions about air travel. She has also written for other publications, including the Christian Science Monitor and Road & Travel Magazine
Road & Travel Magazine
Road & Travel Magazine is an on-line publication focusing on automotive, travel and personal safety needs for upscale consumers with a slant towards women.- History :...
; and as of 2006, she was a regular contributor to Executive Travel magazine.
She has made guest appearances on television news programs, such as ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's News Now, to discuss her career and the issues facing women in aviation, and also speaks before groups on similar aviation-related subjects.
Books
- The World at My Feet: The True and Sometimes Hilarious Adventures of a Lady Airline Captain (2004)
- Flights of Whimsy: Quips and Quotes (2005)