what is the difference between drivers and pilots? why are cars and truck etc drivers while planes and ships are pilots
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Historically:
* Drivers drive horses and cattle along. Horses and oxen where used to move wagons. The term evolved to include trucks and other land vehicles.
* The etymology “pilot” is French (with roots in Italian and Greek) meaning “one who steers the ship.” A pilot had local knowledge of a harbour would be invited on board to take the helm and safely navigate the ship into or out of harbour (still essential today). For the duration of the passage, the pilot was (is) fully responsible for the ship, and any consequences of navigational errors.
Since aircraft require substantial skill not just to operate, but also to navigate, and since great responsibility is vested in the flighty crew, the word “pilot” was eventually extended to refer to one who steers an airplane.
Pilot can be used to describe the person in control of any means of conveyance where the operation/navigation of such requires a high degree of skill and risk management.
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