The psychological effects of constant evaluation on airline pilots : an exploratory study

Abstract

Commercial air line pilots are among the most frequently trained, evaluated, and monitored professionals. This study uses the phenomenological methodology to explore the psychological effects of constant evaluation on airline pilots. Interviews were conducted with 7 male airline pilots. The psychological effects of constant evaluation are described through the themes elicited from participants' subjective experiences as: (a) permanent pressure in pilots' professional and private lives, (b) an experiential process that changes as pilots age and gain more job experience, and (c) diminished trust among organizational members. The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations for further research suggested.