Emirates’ Captain, Emily Sidoti, talks to Travel Weekly about resilience, grit, and why gender disparity in the aviation industry comes down to education. Captain Sidoti is challenging stereotypes, and inspiring a generation of young women.
As the highest-ranking Pilot on an aircraft, Dubai-based Emily Sidoti has earned her stripes (no pun intended), as one of the most skilled commercial pilots in the world.
Yet despite her world-class skill and work ethic, it is often Sidoti’s gender that garners amazement.
Sidoti has regularly been the subject of international ‘female Pilot’ articles and is often asked to pose for photos with passengers and Cabin Crew who are inspired to have a woman Pilot.
Whilst Australian-born Sidoti – who is immensely warm and personable – is happy to oblige, she does feel that it is important to raise awareness and guide the younger generation of inspiring Pilots.
“The ability to become a successful aviator has no relevance on gender. All aviators must remain committed to hard work and high standards,” she tells Travel Weekly. “During my 27 years within the aviation industry, I have always been respected for my rank and seniority”. “If judgment has been raised, more so outside of the aviation industry, this is a reflection of someone else’s belief or opinion and has no relevance in one’s ability to succeed.”
Balancing family life with being a pilot
Rather than helping create equality, the focus on the percentage of Pilots who are female can create a negative perception within the industry. “All professional Pilots must work equally as hard, and invest a significant amount of time to maintain competitiveness and expected standards.”
“Being an airline Pilot is extremely rewarding, along with challenging and demanding. Pilots live life on the go, and time apart from their families is unavoidable. Maybe this does not appeal to most women?”
Whilst being a Pilot is a wonderful career with moments of incredible awe such as seeing the Northern Lights from a cockpit, Sidoti makes it clear teamwork in the home environment is key, especially when you have a family.
“I have an incredibly supportive husband, who seamlessly assumes the role of solo parent to our 3 girls when I am away, whilst managing his own home renovations and carpentry business.”
Identifying solutions rather than barriers
Sidoti’s views on gender become immediately understandable when she talks about how her ‘British old school’ father did not approve of her dream to be a Pilot at 14. “I clearly remember telling my Father I wanted to become a Pilot. His response and exact words: that’s a man’s job, do something more glamorous and become a flight attendant,” she says.
“It was like waving a red flag to a bull. My determination and strong self-belief allowed me to pivot around any opinions that may have challenged my dream.”
“The thrill of flight will never cease to amaze me. My biggest mentor was my Grandfather, who served in the Royal Australia Airforce in WWII. He was my hero, and instilled the fascination of flight within my heart at a young age.”
Whilst Sidoti’s father had the means to support her financially, his “old school” mentality meant she was forced to fund her own Pilot training (which can cost upwards of $100,000).
“I visited the bank manager in Bondi Beach and tried numerous times to get an unsecured loan to support my commercial Pilot’s license. After continued knockbacks, I gathered multiple professional and personal references, along with continued savings working jobs in hospitality and fashion. Finally, after one year the bank manager agreed to the unsecured loan purely from my determination,” she recalls.
“I commonly hear financial barriers contribute to low representation of women Pilots,” she says.
Overcoming turbulence
“Aviation is not for the faint of heart,” Sidoti says,
Sidoti demonstrated her flexibility most notably when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She was made redundant and had to move her entire family back to Australia, giving her the chance to broaden her skills.
“I worked in Ausgrid developing their first commercial drone operation. I also completed my real estate license and worked in high fashion! This reiterated that anything is possible, as long as you trust in the process.”
Sidoti used the setbacks as a teachable moment for her children. “Resistance doesn’t make the problems go away, you need to preserve to find a solution,” she says.
“I have learned to be adaptable in all circumstances and took the opportunity to reinvent myself, try new things, practice gratitude, and stimulate growth in my life with a new perspective. I never stopped working hard and kept dreaming big.”
