About Mech Pilots:
There are many different kinds of mech pilots. But they can be arranged into a spectrum with monotask on one side and multitask on the other.
Multitask pilots have a life and skill sets outside of their combat vehicle. They can still be dangerous without their ride because of their tactical and political acumen. Examples of such pilots can be found in Titanfall, Lancer, and Battletech/Mechwarrior.
Monotask pilots are essentially organic control devices mounted inside the mech. They have slightly more personality and agency than other system components like an autoloader or jet thrusters. But the pilot is just as useless as those things if removed from the greater whole. Examples of these pilots can be found in Armored Core and Warhammer 40,000.
There are pilots that can fall between these extremes such as conscripted civilians, venerated sacrifices, or artificial intelligences. Examples of these beings can be found in Mobile Suit Gundam, Gen:Lock, or, again, Warhammer 40k.
There's no wrong way to portray pilots. That being said, I'd love to read stories where pilots from across the spectrum interact with each other.
