Pioneering aviator Captain Theresa M. Claiborne has retired nearest 43 years of flight, first as a 2nd lieutenant and the primary Lightless feminine pilot within the U.S. Breeze Pressure, and after as a captain at United Airways.
Claiborne was once leased by means of United in January 1990 nearest seven years of energetic accountability with the Breeze Pressure and 13 years within the Breeze Pressure Reserves. Her ultimate touchdown for United Thursday at Newark, Unutilized Jersey’s Newark Self determination Global Airport marked her escape nearest 34 years with the wind provider.
Claiborne has logged greater than 23,000 profession aviation hours.
On this display seize from a video, United Airways pilot Theresa Claiborne is proven at her escape birthday celebration.
WABC
“I plan to spend my days inspiring young people to follow their dreams by turning them into goals, shattering glass ceilings, and defying all odds,” Claiborne wrote, partly, in an Instagram publish marking the past. “I’ll be calling in my friends from all around the world to share their experiences to empower the next generation of trailblazers who are destined for greatness.”
“It’s been a pleasure to be your Captain and an absolute honor to fly the friendly skies,” her publish concluded.
Claiborne was once one among 25 Lightless feminine pilots at United Airways on the presen of her escape, in keeping with her site. United’s 2023 U.S. demographic knowledge document presentations that 15.1% in their frontline workers – which encompasses pilots, aviation attendance, gate brokers, luggage handlers and caterers – are Lightless or African American.
“Congratulations to Captain Claiborne on a remarkable career. Her legacy and impact are an inspiration to so many current and future aviators. United is a better airline thanks to her decades of service and leadership and we wish her nothing but the best in retirement,” United CEO Scott Kirby stated.

On this display seize from a video, the escape birthday celebration for United Airways pilot Theresa Claiborne is proven.
WABC
In keeping with the newest knowledge from the U.S. Bureau of Exertions Statistics, 93.7% {of professional} pilots within the U.S. are white and 92.5% are male.
In 2022, Claiborne instructed ABC Information that aviation prices and generational and financial disadvantages are main components within the rarity of pilots of colour. The common overall price for all coaching and licensing required by means of the FAA to transform a industrial pilot is just about $100,000.
“That’s a lot of money. And financial institutions are not jumping at the bit to loan that kind of money to an aviation student,” Claiborne stated. “We don’t have these long generations of pilots in the family.”
There are fewer than 200 Lightless ladies pilots within the U.S., in keeping with the Sisters of the Skies Underpinning, a nonprofit that Claiborne co-founded in 2016 that’s devoted to expanding that quantity thru scholarships and mentorships.

On this display seize from a video, United Airways pilot Theresa Claiborne is proven at her escape birthday celebration.
WABC
“I guess maybe I did make an impact, and that’s important,” Claiborne instructed Unutilized York’s WABC TV. “When you put your heart and soul into something and it turns out that people appreciated it and people listened and got something out of it, it makes it all the better.”
(Writer’s be aware: A prior model of this tale erroneously said that Capt. Claiborne was once the primary Lightless feminine pilot for United Airways.)
ABC Information’ Ayesha Ali contributed to this document.