Also seems as if our perception of the definition of a "vet" varies.
To me a vet is a veteran, which in AH terms has been around a very long time and knows the ropes. To me this would be people that have been around since AH1. Vets tend to be good sticks because of their experience. They know a lot about their favorite plane, and the rest of the plane set for that matter.
Some view Vets as people that get kills often. The problem I have with this is Player X may land more kills than me, however when I run into Player X in his plane of choice, I beat him. They get big egos because so many newer players say how great they are... compared to them. When they get shot down they tend to make up excuses, or accuse of cheating. "There is no way your plane out turned my plane!"
Then there are those (Roc) that think vets in AH are referring to Veterinarians, the people that he takes his sheep to when they are feeling sick.