In editorial discussions in Arizona about the future of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, locals parried over the possibility of the F-35 being stationed in the area.  The “discussion” demonstrated the continuing public stereotype of fighter pilots.  Said one letter writer to the Arizona Daily Star:

Basing the F-35 Air Force jet in Tucson is a very bad idea. Tucson is an asset to all of Arizona because it attracts quality, high-tech, tax-positive industry…Tucson is the jewel of Arizona. A deafening noise from joy-riding flyboys will do more economic harm than whatever modest benefit these flyboys will bring to the local bars. (emphasis added)

Interestingly, subsequent writers responded in defense of military fighter pilots, decrying the “generalization” of fighter pilots: 

The so called “joy-riding flyboys” are putting their lives on the line everyday they serve their country…They do this so that you may express your opinion in a free society.  Please continue to enjoy the many things you love…Just remember you continue to enjoy these things paid for with the blood of heroes, the military. God bless you both.
Capt. Roy Hollingworth
Retired naval aviator, Oro Valley

There is no possible explanation for allowing the degrading comments from one of your readers concerning the F-35 and its fighter pilots.  Those “joy-riding flyboys” supporting local bars, is at a minimum, an ignorant opinion and could not be further from the truth. All pilots are college graduates, most with degrees in engineering and are more likely to be higher-educated than the people who wrote the letter…It not only the degrades pilots and their demanding profession but also our military. I doubt if the Star would print an opinion calling police officers, “a bunch of thugs in uniform carrying nightsticks” in the letters column.
Jim Kelly
Tucson

…To insult not only the airmen who will fly them, but the hundreds of crucial support and maintenance personnel…completely fails to advance any opposing argument to basing the F-35 at Tucson International.
Justin Carroll
Former bar-hopping, joy-riding flyboy, Tucson

I hope I speak for the majority of Tucson as I extend my apologies to the pilots of our military for the remarkably ignorant comment in [the original] letter. As a former member of the military and pilot, I have a deep appreciation for the commitment and sacrifice these individuals have made toward securing the freedom we all enjoy…
Jim Metras
Tucson

The funny thing is that many fighter pilots, while recognizing the poor characterization of their profession, would have done little more than smile and shake their head at the original letter to the editor.  Perhaps the lack of offense is a function of the natural “thick skin” that develops in a fighter pilot.  On the other hand, if the attribution of “flyboys” and local bars did extend to the maintainers and others who support fighter operations, pilots would be some of the first–and most vehement–to come to the defense of those who make their mission possible.