How to Earn Respect as an Airline Pilot

[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.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

If your ops manual says the hat is part of the uniform requirement... and you ignore THAT... what other parts are you ignoring?

Professionalism: A profession is an occupation, vocation or career where specialized knowledge of a subject, field, or science is applied. It is usually applied to occupations that involve prolonged academic training and a formal qualification. Professions are usually regulated by professional bodies that may require examinations of competence, act as a licensinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licensure authority for practitioners, and enforce adherence to an ethical code of practice.

 

[PCL_128]

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...

Watch it, Rez! You know I'm on your side about the hat, but the above quote is BS. We've sent two TAs to the shredder that had our 717 CAs getting paid more than your widebody Captains. Whatever some people at FL think about the hat, I think we've proven that we're going to the mat to raise the bar this time around.

 

[rudder]

If you want to be treated like a professional you have to look like one. Mgmnt would love to have us all look more like bus drivers so that they can justify treating us like bus drivers and paying us like bus drivers. When I am at work it is not an audition for an extra role in 'Top Gun'. I am glad that my airline has no leather jacket option and year round hat requirements.

On the plane, in the terminal, on the hotel shuttle - everybody recognises who the pilots are. Anything that we do to diminish that image just adds fuel to the further denigration of a once proud profession. Wear the hat - use the cleaning allowance that the company provides to actually clean your uniform - put the IPOD away - and take off those ridiculous sunglasses unless you are in the flight deck where no one can see you!

If pilots cannot treat their own appearance with respect then why should anyone else?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Watch it, Rez! You know I'm on your side about the hat, but the above quote is BS. We've sent two TAs to the shredder that had our 717 CAs getting paid more than your widebody Captains. Whatever some people at FL think about the hat, I think we've proven that we're going to the mat to raise the bar this time around.

copy.... clarification....

my reference was to FL posters on FI that keep talking about the getting rid of the hat when CBA improvements were discussed...

now go put your yoke back on....

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

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

Mookie

it does not matter what you or me or we think about how you fly the jet....

it doesn't matter what the check airman thinks.... they don't negotiate or write the amount of your paycheck....

what matters is the perceived value of an air line pilot.

I am sure you want the benefits, but it seems you are lacking the responsibilty....

Profressionals serve.

 

[Mr Hat]

The initial post here is the best one I've read in a long time. Recently I have taken steps to make sure I look a little more professional at work. Hats are optional at my airline but I wear mine even though it makes FO's think your that anal guy.

Whats next, we get rid of hats....start wearing leather jackets....maybe next we get rid of ties...I mean who really likes to be strangled all day. Then those pesky epulets, it's silly. Before you know it we are flying around wearing polo shirts that say "pilot" and "co-pilot" and wearing advertising buttons. Glorified TGIFridays employee's of the sky. Your chief pilot might stop you in the terminal to yell at you for not having enough "flair"! You want to be treated and compensated like the airline pilots of old? You want to "Take it back"? Then dress like it. Never let them take that image away, even if it seems more convienent sometimes.

 

[Bigoober]

Great post here.

Tired of the pay me like a professional but let me look as casual as possible, and yes, airline pilots used to be looked up to- just maybe not "God-like".

 

[CA1900]

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...

So... any pilot who wears a striped jacket without a hat looks like a gay FA? Nice...

 

[instructordude]

Great post and advice I live by. I believe in a #7 rule too.

7) You must correct those who are not living by these standards. Not tommorow or next week but on the spot correction.

If you see someone bitchin about the company, kindly take them aside and remind them whose name is printed on their paycheck.

If someone is not wearing the hat go to your union standards office and report them. If you see it twice, report them to your chief pilot.

If somebody is fat, invite them to the gym with you. If they say no, call it like it is, "Heh, you like Jabba lets go get on the treadmill". Just make sure nobody is around on this one, so it is your word against his/hers.

Take pride in yourself, your company and the public paying your rent!

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I've been meaning to say something to you about that CA1900...

Was gonna talk to you about it next time we're sharing a fruity drink with an umbrella but since you brought it up...