Why? Please tell me why!!

[tomcash]

I started a thread a while back about the United Express "C" concourse at O'Hare-- more to the point, how unprofessional some of the pilots looked. My point was simply that professional appearence is important and passengers notice!!

Well, anyway, yesterday I was passing through the US Express terminal at PHL... and I saw an FO (the airline for which they work will remain anonymous) who looked like an utter disgrace. I mean, bad...

Drumroll please... this FO wore combat boots with a huge red backpack saddled on over their ratty blazer. As if the backpack isn't enough, the thing had two full bottles of watter hanging out of the side pockets. It reminded me of that redneck fan from the movie "The Waterboy" who wore a hat that fed water to him in the form of two water tubes. The FO looked like a boy scout going on a camping trip with their special blankie stuffed into their very special backpack that they probably bought at Walmart for $1.69. The only thing missing was a G.I. Joe decal sewn in next to the LL Bean logo.

Passengers were looking at this pilot like, "THIS PERSON is going to be flying my airplane??? I better go pray now. Where's the airport chapel?"

So, again, I ask, WHY? Please tell me why! You backpack pilots who wear your classy combat boots aren't doing any of us any favors. You should be embarassed and confine yourselves to your desktop Microsoft Flight Simulators where you skillfully land C-182s on some ficticious aircraft carrier.

Thanks for reading this venting session.

Tom C.

 

[Skippy]

Agreed..

Well put.... It reflects on our profession in these times of attempting to bring back the prestige and benefits of this career..

 

[godsgift2aviatn]

Next time ask him yourself.

 

[tomcash]

Next time ask him yourself.

Good point, but in my own defense, I was afraid of what I would say... Plus, those combat boots have steel toes. They'd probably hurt if the guy kicked me.

 

[Old Crow]

Employees act they way they are treated? If you are treated with respect and dignity, you will typically find that people will feel the same feeling about themselves. (Psy101). Regional airlines depend on commitment to safety only, Back packs mean nothing. So if Joe Blow wants to wear a back pack over his/her uniform...Ask yourself, Who are they being led by?

 

[SplitBar]

Employees often do act the way they are treated. Professionals on the other hand are upheld to honor a code of ethics. I'm sure he would be quick to tell you "as soon as my company pays me like a professional then I will start acting like one"

 

[HelloNewman]

Employees act they way they are treated? If you are treated with respect and dignity, you will typically find that people will feel the same feeling about themselves. (Psy101). Regional airlines depend on commitment to safety only, Back packs mean nothing. So if Joe Blow wants to wear a back pack over his/her uniform...Ask yourself, Who are they being led by?

There is nothing in the FOM/Policy manual that says a backpack can not be worn. If it is not against policy then it is not unprofessional. In fact I would much rather use a backpack than a dorky square flight case. In ORD too many new hires have the big black flight case with jeppesen written all over it. Jeppesen gear is for dorks!

I think wearing a backpack is also a more efficent way to carry more things. I can fit a lot more in my backpack than I can in a dorky square flight case.

 

[WalterSobchak]

I think wearing a backpack is also a more efficent way to carry more things. I can fit a lot more in my backpack than I can in a dorky square flight case.

Does it come to anyone's surprise that Newman carries a backpack?

I'm beginning to wonder about his iTunes Library...I'm gonna put even money on him having The Complete Barbara Streisand Collection on his iPod.

 

[Baze]

A little Barry Manilow thrown in for good measure perhaps?

 

[crxpilot]

I am so friggin tired of other people imposing their "ways" on other people. If someone wants to say "nappy headed ho" and you dont like it, change the channel. And if someone wants to wear an article of clothing you dont like, look the other way. And dont be so chicken sh!t and come on these boards and complain without talking with the individual you have the problem with.

 

[HelloNewman]

I am so friggin tired of other people imposing their "ways" on other people. If someone wants to say "nappy headed ho" and you dont like it, change the channel. And if someone wants to wear an article of clothing you dont like, look the other way. And dont be so chicken sh!t and come on these boards and complain without talking with the individual you have the problem with.

Hear Hear! If it isn't against the FOM/Policy Manual then there is nothing wrong with it!! People get their panties in a wad over nothing. Until the company makes policy not to carry a backpack then I will do so. If the company hasn't made a policy about it then it should tell you something that its not nearly as big of a deal as people make it out to be.

 

[Shaheen]

I am so friggin tired of other people imposing their "ways" on other people. If someone wants to say "nappy headed ho" and you dont like it, change the channel. And if someone wants to wear an article of clothing you dont like, look the other way. And dont be so chicken sh!t and come on these boards and complain without talking with the individual you have the problem with.

So, you're saying that those passengers who complained about the 'Islamic Mullahs' at MSP were wrong? They should've simply looked the other way. I don't think so.

Being a radio jock and an airline pilot are two completely different scenarios. Airline is all about professionalism and 'standardizations’.

From a passengers’ point of view, let me tell you it matters. Few years ago, on the way to London from MSP, me and my family noted this strange looking fella who showed up at the gate and we figure he was our captain on NWA DC-10 flight to LGW. This is few years before I even started taking flight lessons so I was looking at this from strictly a passenger-point-of-view.

This guys was about 5’5 or shorter; wore his uniform with pants about two inches above his ankles, light grey socks didn’t match his shoes or pants (socks must match pants in any kind of suit worn; Etiquette 101), in fact his socks stood out the most, his ties was about five inches too short…perhaps because he had a massive beer belly (he was obese), the knot in his ties was two inches below where it should’ve been; top button on his shirt didn’t exist and rest of the buttons were ‘hanging by the thread’, pardon the pun, in a helpless situation against the massive internal pressure exerted by his clogged organs; his shoes dirty, yes, not only there weren’t polished, they were dirty; don’t even ask how badly wrinkled his uniform was, hat wasn’t worn properly, and, drum roll please…he walked in pulling his overnight and flight back with the left arm while in his right was a massive (super-sized of course) McDonald’s pop. His teeth looked yellow and his mustache untrimmed.

It was quite a sight. Now, from us, passengers’ point of view, it looked like a skit from SNL. My wife told me: “I can’t believe this.” This response was due to a good experience we had about ten days ago when we had experienced watching an Iceland Air crew that that just disembarked from a 757 flight from Reykjavik at MSP. You’d think they had just been dressed by Armani himself!

So, yes, it matters how public and your fellow professionals view you. It’s about impressions and perceptions. Do not belittle those who point these flaws and try to learn that flying an airliner is not simply about taxi, takeoffs, cruise, approach, and landing. If we think like this then the day won’t be far when pilots like you would insist to fly wearing sandals and Hawaiian shirts.

And I’m glad that the public was paying attention at MSP and informed the pilots about people dressed strangely and involved in strange behavior. I will stop here so I won’t digress.

As for as that NWA captain, his FO was immaculately dressed, looked incredibly very professionals, and incredibly sharp. The flight took off fine and landed fine.

 

[NarcolepticAV8R]

If it is not against policy then it is not unprofessional.

I don't entirely agree with this statement.

 

[HelloNewman]

So, yes, it matters how public and your fellow professionals view you. It’s about impressions and perceptions. Do not belittle those who point these flaws and try to learn that flying an airliner is not simply about taxi, takeoffs, cruise, approach, and landing. If we think like this then the day won’t be far when pilots like you would insist to fly wearing sandals and Hawaiian shirts.

Excellent idea!! I would much rather wear buisness casual than what we wear now. BTW despite all that you say about that NWA captain the flight still went off without a hitch. If people felt that strongly about it they would have refused to board the flight because of how the captain looked. Sorry this isn't the 1960s anymore and it is not a leave it to beaver world.

 

[temcgrew]

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Sorry this isn't the 1960s anymore and it is not a leave it to beaver world.

It wasn't a "leave it to beaver world" in the 1960's either. Past mistakes or successes should not determine how we define "professional" today.

The 60's went out of style in the 70's and so on and so forth. Neatness will never get old, and neither will rebelious dirtbags who do stuff because "they don't care what others think". We should care about our appearance at that's all there is to it.

 

[Baze]

Business casual, huh? Let's say you have to evacuate and go outside to help the PAX. How are they going to identify you as a crewmember? You're no longer a "uniformed crewmember". Are you going to flash your airline ID? What if you lose it on the way out the airplane?

Have some self-respect as a professional pilot and try to look presentable in your company's uniform. At least look the part.

 

[jeroom]

My backpack doesn't have those side pockets for the bottles of water/beer/rum...

I will look into it next time I drive by a wallmart! My backpack has a "John Deere" logo on it...is that ok?

 

[REK]

Why don't you just say who the guy worked for so somebody who works for that company can see this and could actually talk to their Chief and make sure their uniform policy is enforced or changed. Man that was a long sentence!

 

[acaTerry]

Employees act they way they are treated? If you are treated with respect and dignity, you will typically find that people will feel the same feeling about themselves. (Psy101). Regional airlines depend on commitment to safety only, Back packs mean nothing. So if Joe Blow wants to wear a back pack over his/her uniform...Ask yourself, Who are they being led by?

I have to disagree. How can one expect to be treated as a pro when they look like krap?
I flew the communters in the days of 19 seat props and we still looked better than the jet flying kids do today. I have to point the finger at a bunch of young, spoiled, lazy and selfish lowtimers who have not worked long and hard enough to take pride in what they do.
The jet r neat generation is here! Try and talk to them and instead of listening to what an experienced professional has to say, all they have is indignance and comebacks like "you don't even know me"...
It's like high school out there. PATHETIC!

 

[acaTerry]

There is nothing in the FOM/Policy manual that says a backpack can not be worn. If it is not against policy then it is not unprofessional. In fact I would much rather use a backpack than a dorky square flight case. In ORD too many new hires have the big black flight case with jeppesen written all over it. Jeppesen gear is for dorks!

I think wearing a backpack is also a more efficent way to carry more things. I can fit a lot more in my backpack than I can in a dorky square flight case.

Here's a classic example...

 

[fried chickens]

I don't think my manual says anything about beanies. So can I wear a beanie then, of course with a hat medallion

 

[CA1900]

Good lord... people like you guys are the reason my last company's manual had to specify that you shouldn't sit in wheelchairs at the gate!

"Well, it doesn't say I can't do that in the manual..." Pretty soon, the manual's an inch thicker because they have to keep spelling out things that ought to be common sense, but aren't to some of these people.

Sad.

 

[siucavflight]

God, who cares. How about worrying about our pay being crap, or our QOL being sh!t.

 

[deadstick]

God, who cares. How about worrying about our pay being crap, or our QOL being sh!t.

I believe that was a justification early on in this thread. The company treats you poorly, so don't bother looking the part.

1) Two wrongs don't make a right.

2) The flying public doesn'y know that the company treats the employees like k-rap. If they see a sloppy pilot, they will assume that is the way you fly. Don't sacrafice your professionalism for the sake of an inside statement.

Here's an idea: Hook the backpack on the rollerboard.

 

[filejw]

Guys 30 yrs ago nobody used wheels to carry stuff when on a trip. You will notice some of us older guys arms hang down to our knees from carrying a Flight bag and suitcase by hand for many yrs. It took a while as first came the frames with wheels and then the fancy suitcases with internal wheels and it was not overnight before people stopped looking down on pilots with wheels. So here we are and everybody uses wheel's.So now please don't be offended when you see me walking to my 400 with my nice new leather BACKBACK that I'm having made very cheaply in BOM. And if you don't like how it looks just come on over and say something to me...I would love to respond to you face to face....

 

[Midnight Flyer]

I don't think my manual says anything about beanies. So can I wear a beanie then, of course with a hat medallion

LOL, be careful fried chicken! I started a thread several months ago, after I saw an airline pilot walking down the terminal wearing a beanie & sporting a beard and I got my pee-pee spanked for saying the word beanie.

 

[Corbon]

Blah blah blah...You'll find unprofessional people in EVERY line of work at every level. Maybe you should tell the mainline pilot on my flight that it was unprofessional to "need" a seatbelt extension while flying non-rev in uniform.

 

[purduej]

Why not use a backpack? Just be sure to get one that looks good and matches the rest of the stuff you've got with you. I know quite a few doctors and lawyers who use backpacks on their ways to and from work. However, they're always clean shaven or trimmed and their clothes look good. Despite what some people may think, the way we look reflects on us, our companies (already know we don't care about them), and more importantly, our profession.

As for the flight cases I've only heard of the Bro drivers using soft backpacks for that because they don't have case holders. In the jets though, flight cases are so useful! And a good one looks pretty decent, sort of like an extra large briefcase.

 

[JediNein]

On regional pay, that backpack was the one he used in high school (got new for his senior year, makes the backpack only 3 years old!), and the combat boots came from the military, where he's on reserves, but still can't afford to buy a new pair of shoes, even with payroll deduct.

 

[doh]

Does it come to anyone's surprise that Newman carries a backpack?

I'm beginning to wonder about his iTunes Library...I'm gonna put even money on him having The Complete Barbara Streisand Collection on his iPod.

Now that's funny I don't care who ya are!