How to Earn Respect as an Airline Pilot

[cal73cap]

1. Wear your uniform proudly, even if you don't like
your company. This includes the uniform hat if
required.

2. Don't talk badly about your company in the
public, if you like to complain, do it in private!

3. When people ask is your job easy respond with a
"no" and inform them it takes years of training.
Let them know you ARE responsible for their lives
when they are on board your flight.

4. Take a look at pictures from the 1970's of what
airline pilots looked like. This is what we should
be emulating.

5. Don't sit at the gate and yawn in public. If you
are tired stay in the crew room and rest until
your flight.

6. Try not to become a fat slob. Stay in shape and
look the part of a professional!

I know some will respond with hate for the statements above, but this is why I always viewed the airline pilots I saw as Gods. The Pan Am Clipper pilots taxiing their brand new 747s into the gates at JFK, absolutely awesome. We are the ones that make our jobs seem insignificant to the public. Don't let this happen, that is why they don't respect us.

Earn the respect of the pulblic and you will also earn the respect of management!

 

[Superpilot92]

Nice Post!! I agree

 

[FurloughedAgain]

As a former airline pilot (and now one of your paying customers) I agree with the above 110% -- even if #6 stings a little bit!

Things that I might not have noticed as a crewmember are very apparent to me as an airline customer. I definitely notice when flightcrew are not wearing their hats for example. Now I dont know if a hat is a requirement or not, I just think the striped jacket looks somewhat odd without it.

I notice if a pilots shoes are not polished. I don't know WHY I notice that, but it sticks out like a sore thumb.

I notice PA announcements. Please think before you speak in order to avoid pregnant pauses and "uh...um...uh". Try and get the name of the city you are flying to correct so as not to offend those who live there.

I notice FA behavior - especially those who race through the cabin in the first 10 minutes of the flight slinging drinks and then sits in a passenger seat reading the newspaper for the next 90 minutes.

It's really the little things that mean a lot to me. If a member of the flight crew stands at the door and says, "Thank you for your business." to me as I leave I feel pretty good about the product I've purchased.

By the way - what happened to the JAPA website?

 

[Dumb Pilot]

The generation of pilots that parked their new PanAm 747's at JFK back in the day, came from flying DC-6's and this career was forged by them with lots of work and dedication, nothing was "given" to them. Today's generation pays for training and 10 years into the career they are "entitled" (according to them) to a command at a major and at 3000 hours consider themselves "Experienced"

I respect and appreciate the spirit of the post though

 

[Bjammin]

Great post and agree 100%!

Who you are and the responsibilties you have does not deminish because the airline you work for may suck or because of pay cuts. Don't let your professionalism follow suit.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Odd, but true, observation. I used to wear a leather jacket (which personally I like for its utility) as part of my uniform.

Now with a wool jacket and strickly enforced hat policy I've noticed passengers are much friendlier and pass by other pilots to converse. The difference in perception is not backed up by any change other than the uniform. The other (good, or not so good) change is the realization the airport concourse is your stage; people watch and admire, or watch in disgust. It isn't my nature to act like Celine Dion in Vegas, but a little smiling at kids, a friendly word, and helping folks figure out where the escalators are goes a long way.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Odd, but true, observation. I used to wear a leather jacket (which personally I like for its utility) as part of my uniform.

Now with a wool jacket and strickly enforced hat policy I've noticed passengers are much friendlier and pass by other pilots to converse. The difference in perception is not backed up by any change other than the uniform. The other (good, or not so good) change is the realization the airport concourse is your stage; people watch and admire, or watch in disgust. It isn't my nature to act like Celine Dion in Vegas, but a little smiling at kids, a friendly word, and helping folks figure out where the escalators are goes a long way.

It's mutual disgust then. I absolutely dislike most of the flying public because of this job. They dress poorly, they often smell, they are rude and sometimes violent. Oh -- and f'in fat and imbued with a undeserved sense of entitlement. It's as if a Western Sizzlin' just walked on to the airplane.

 

[GFunk20]

This write-up needs to be given to all Mesa pilot classes.

 

[skydash]

I earn INSTANT respect whenever I am greeting customers as they enter the plane.Here's a video of me and my first officer!! Works every time!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8NOxoZ3rZc

 

[Occam's Razor]

It's mutual disgust then. I absolutely dislike most of the flying public because of this job. They dress poorly, they often smell, they are rude and sometimes violent. Oh -- and f'in fat and imbued with a undeserved sense of entitlement. It's as if a Western Sizzlin' just walked on to the airplane.

Wow!

Really?

If so...that's sad on many levels, even if "disgust" is hyperbole.

Neither my passengers nor my management affects the way I view my profession or myself as a professional pilot. I'm an airline pilot, so I look and act like one. Period.

 

[flyboy006]

awesome post

 

[whatitdoing?]

Funny, I get confused sometimes with the valet baggage people.................

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Wow!

Really?

If so...that's sad on many levels, even if "disgust" is hyperbole.

Neither my passengers nor my management affects the way I view my profession or myself as a professional pilot. I'm an airline pilot, so I look and act like one. Period.

Huh? I didn't say anything about how I viewed my profession. Just how I view every single airport I fly into. If I defined myself through my passengers, then I'd be a Waffle House.

You look and act like an airline pilot? So you're fat and disheveled? More stickers on your navbag than a VW bus? You don't say hello to pilots that don't have ALPA lanyards around their necks? You have 2 ex-wives, a mistress, a girlfriend, three mortgages and you tell everyone you work with you ain't working till age 65? Actually believe yourself when you say you care about your junior brethren?

How bout a big "I don't get sarcasm" balloon floating over your head? You got one of those?

 

[Charlie Brown]

It's mutual disgust then. I absolutely dislike most of the flying public because of this job. They dress poorly, they often smell, they are rude and sometimes violent. Oh -- and f'in fat and imbued with a undeserved sense of entitlement. It's as if a Western Sizzlin' just walked on to the airplane.

I agree with you about our typical clientle, especially considering everytime we push back a trailer park is empty. However I don't live in a trailer park so I take more pride in myself than that. I think most pilots, being educated people, tend to be above the typical average american in the way they present themselves.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

I agree with you about our typical clientle, especially considering everytime we push back a trailer park is empty. However I don't live in a trailer park so I take more pride in myself than that. I think most pilots, being educated people, tend to be above the typical average american in the way they present themselves.

If you want to stare America in the face, you can spend a few days in an airport, or you can just gaze upon whatitdoing?'s avatar.

 

[Charlie Brown]

If you want to stare America in the face, you can spend a few days in an airport, or you can just gaze upon whatitdoing?'s avatar.

Yummmm!

 

[SWA tech]

always viewed the airline pilots I saw as Gods

yea right

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

If you like the orginal post... then consider the ALPA Code of Ethics..... The golden days are of the Ethics...

 

[Whine Lover]

It has nothing to do with Hats and Shiny Shoes...Or talking to Kids in Airports, or giving directions to People.

The intent of the post is well meaning, but will never serve to correct the Ills we face collectively.

Good Luck All.




MKR

 

[Mookie]

it's a job everyone... a job, no more...no less. do you think there is a fire-man's forum called "Fireinfo.com" where fireman nerds congregate to tell everyone how much more respect they could get by wearing their uniform more proudly? whatever...it's a goddamn job...

Mookie

 

[PCL_128]

it's a job everyone... a job, no more...no less. do you think there is a fire-man's forum called "Fireinfo.com" where fireman nerds congregate to tell everyone how much more respect they could get by wearing their uniform more proudly? whatever...it's a goddamn job...

Mookie

If it's just a job, then why are you here?

 

[Bavarian Chef]

If it's just a job, then why are you here?

Because Fireinfo.com has been down all week.

 

[Ty Webb]

Sorry, but the hat is an anachronism that needs to go away. The only person that wears a hat in the airport anymore is a Skycap. If you like looking like a Skycap- more power to you . . . .

My professionalism is obvious to my crew and my passengers, and it stems from the way that I communicate with them and handle the aircraft. If you want to make the hat part of this discussion, you're on your own. I'm sure this same discussion took place in the 30's regarding silk scarves.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Sorry, but the hat is an anachronism that needs to go away. The only person that wears a hat in the airport anymore is a Skycap. If you like looking like a Skycap- more power to you . . . .

Ty... we've gone over this time and time again. The hat is a "device" that we use for a couple of reasons... It is recognizable to the public. Unions use it as methodology to unify thier pilot groups. There has been success, so this isn't my opinion.

And of course there are other groups that don't wear hats: FAs. If you want to look like a light loafer trying to non rev to SFO.... go for it... Also... look like a FA, get paid like an FA.

Skycaps use the hat becsause we use the hat. They are trying to "borrow" creditbility. Know the source..

My professionalism is obvious to my crew and my passengers, and it stems from the way that I communicate with them and handle the aircraft. If you want to make the hat part of this discussion, you're on your own. I'm sure this same discussion took place in the 30's regarding silk scarves.

From other threads it is obvious that getting rid of the hat at FL is more important than raising the bar for all of us in this profession...

No one... not even you Ty, can provide a logical professional reason why the hat is N/A. Oh sure you've got your personal reasons.... but that of course is based on your personal comfort and desires, which seems more important that your professional service. Let's clarify: as a professional you do provide a service to the public... do you not?


The hat is not about the hat [or you]. The hat is about the all inclusive image of professionalism that goes with what you were suggesting: behavior, attitude, commitment to safety, etc....

Professionals get up at 0430 to fly trips without complaint. Professionals study and review thier manuals on thier days off without complaint...

Professionals wear the uniform without whining.


When hiring started in 2007, of the first group of guys that left my regonial.... about 80% wore hats and volunteered professional service (union committee work). It was the mind set that got them hired...




Got a hat in your avatar?

 

[~~~^~~~]

When hiring started in 2007, of the first group of guys that left my regonial.... about 80% wore hats and volunteered professional service (union committee work). It was the mind set that got them hired...

Exactly.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

This is quite true, and the interviewers can pick them out a mile away.

 

[airlinepilot]

very true

 

[cal73cap]

always viewed the airline pilots I saw as Gods

yea right

Yes I did. Being hired by a major airline back then was like getting the Oscar for a movie role. Few were handed out, or earned, and that airline job seemed elusive to me. When those Pan Am pilots walked off that airplane I felt they were the luckiest people in the world. That beautiful airplane they flew, their pressed uniforms and polished shoes, the money they made. They were Gods. I was only 13 at that time but it made a lasting impression. Now, I don't counsel my young First Officers on wearing their uniform with pride, I hope they do and I am sometimes saddened by their lack of professionalism in the way they look, definitely not in the way they fly-they are all professional when it comes to that.

So look the part, play the part and earn the respect of your passengers, (who cares if they are from the trailer park- their money is just as green) and when it comes time to renegotiate that new contract, maybe management will respect you that much more.

 

[Mookie]

Yes I did. Being hired by a major airline back then was like getting the Oscar for a movie role. Few were handed out, or earned, and that airline job seemed elusive to me. When those Pan Am pilots walked off that airplane I felt they were the luckiest people in the world. That beautiful airplane they flew, their pressed uniforms and polished shoes, the money they made. They were Gods. I was only 13 at that time but it made a lasting impression. Now, I don't counsel my young First Officers on wearing their uniform with pride, I hope they do and I am sometimes saddened by their lack of professionalism in the way they look, definitely not in the way they fly-they are all professional when it comes to that.

So look the part, play the part and earn the respect of your passengers, (who cares if they are from the trailer park- their money is just as green) and when it comes time to renegotiate that new contract, maybe management will respect you that much more.

I knew a guy hired at United who had 20hrs of flight time who interviewed to throw bags, but instead ended up in flight training. He retired #1 on the 777....did he earn the "Oscar" by that logic? and that was during the so called Catch Me if You Can golden age....

wearing a hat doesn't make you a professional. flying the airplane like a pro is what makes you a professional.

Mookie

 

[zkmayo]

Unfortunately, a great number of people today dont respect themselves first and foremost (Look like trash, speak using improper language, dress like theyre doing laundry, disrepectful to others). Its hard to respect pilots, or anyone or anything else for that matter, if you dont respect yourself first.