# Dutch King reveals he's been a pilot for KLM for the last 20 years **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 19, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029 "2017-05-19T20:09:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/1 "2017-05-19T20:09:58Z")
[King Willem Alexander flies passenger jets for KLM as a hobby.](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/18/europe/netherlands-king-willem-alexander-klm-pilot/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool) > [@](#): > > The King told the newspaper that he used the twice-monthly flights with KLM to decompress from his royal duties, with his pastime allowing him to fully concentrate on the task at hand. > “For me the most important thing is that I have a hobby for which I need to concentrate completely,” he said. > “You have an aircraft, passengers and crew. You have responsibility for them. You can’t take your problems from the ground into the skies. You can completely disengage and concentrate on something else. That, for me, is the most relaxing part of flying,” he said. Cool! StG ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/2 "2017-05-19T21:20:21Z")
He can’t just buy his own plane? ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/3 "2017-05-19T23:32:34Z")
I’m not sure I would want my airline pilot to be one who does it part-time as a hobby. I would think a full-time professional would be more competent and thus safer. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/4 "2017-05-19T23:56:49Z")
“This flight 100% more Koninklijke” Abdullah II is a helicopter pilot. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/5 "2017-05-20T00:05:42Z")
Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson is a licensed airline pilot, and flies the band’s plane when they tour. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/6 "2017-05-20T00:21:16Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > I’m not sure I would want my airline pilot to be one who does it part-time as a hobby. I would think a full-time professional would be more competent and thus safer. I’m sure “hobby” does not mean not fully professional. An airline would allow someone not fully competent and trained to fly. He’s a fully trained professional who happens to also be a king. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/7 "2017-05-20T09:41:58Z")
He’s only the co-pilot. But yes, it’s cool. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/8 "2017-05-20T11:32:54Z")
I love finding out stuff like this. I remember reading all of James Herriot’s books [_All Creatures Great and Small_](https://www.amazon.com/Creatures-Great-Small-James-Herriot/dp/0312965788) and reading an interview with him. He exclaimed about how lucky his life was and how wonderful that he got to do the exciting veterinary work and finally mentioned he had had to take a short break his vet practice. Nothing really, just a spot of bother involving the RAF, flying Hurricanes, WWII. It impressed me that he considered that a minor accomplishment next to treating animals. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/9 "2017-05-20T11:46:15Z")
So they really are _Royal_ Dutch Airlines. That’s very cool, and good on him! ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/10 "2017-05-20T15:08:01Z")
Kareem Abdul Jabbar used to do the same thing back when he played for the Lakers. He told everyone he was “Roger Murdock”. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/11 "2017-05-20T15:22:14Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > He’s only the co-pilot. But yes, it’s cool. Is that unusual? 20 years as a copilot? You’d think that anybody would expect a promotion to Captain. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/12 "2017-05-20T15:24:15Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is that unusual? 20 years as a copilot? You’d think that anybody would expect a promotion to Captain. Ace, he’s a King in his day job. The only meaningful promotion that is available to him is Emperor. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/13 "2017-05-20T15:25:40Z")
It’s good to be the king. I’d still want my promotion to Captain. 😃 John Travolta flew for Qantas for awhile. He was fully qualified to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/14 "2017-05-20T15:46:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is that unusual? 20 years as a copilot? You’d think that anybody would expect a promotion to Captain. The article suggests he doesn’t get many flying hours. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/15 "2017-05-20T15:56:51Z")
What does he need to decompress from as the king of the Netherlands? I would think being an airline pilot would be more stressful because the stakes are dire, tangible and imminent. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/16 "2017-05-20T16:09:10Z")
Actually, most of the time flying is routine and boring, that’s how safe and controlled it has become. Even the most gonzo professional pilot is limited in how many hours per month he can fly, such that many of them have a second business on the side for their off days. Typical would be no more than 30 hours per week, which means a “full time pilot” is more 3/4 time or less compared to office workers doing 40-50 hours per week (or more, in some cases). And while the Netherlands aren’t a world power I expect running a country (or rather, assisting in doing so) carries its own level of stress. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/17 "2017-05-20T17:56:02Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > What does he need to decompress from as the king of the Netherlands? I would think being an airline pilot would be more stressful because the stakes are dire, tangible and imminent. That’s exactly it: the stakes are tangible and imminent and his performace is measured objectively. He nails the landing and gets to the gate on time. Hands in a perfectly put together flight plan. Together with the captain he makes real decisions and performs the tasks needed with his own hands. Exhilaration. Focus on the here and now and not on 5 years down the road. Meanwhile, heading a monarchy requires dealing with a lot of political BS and legacy protocol, signing off on assent to policy decisions by politicians you don’t care for, dressing up in white tie with sash and medals at least once a week to hear boring speeches at an awards ceremony for someone you’ve never heard of for something you didn’t even know was a thing, dreading that some royal in-law will be caught skimming from contracts… ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/18 "2017-05-20T21:09:16Z")
Why does the Netherlands need a King and how do I apply for that job? Actually, scratch that, I would rather be a pilot just like he is. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/19 "2017-05-20T23:32:05Z")
I thought this thread title said Don King was a pilot for KLM for the last twenty years.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029/20 "2017-05-21T02:02:22Z")
Gotta be a little weird for his captains, having to command their own king. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-king-reveals-hes-been-a-pilot-for-klm-for-the-last-20-years/787029.md?page=2)