The Airline Pilot Hat: What will become of it?

[ackattacker]

ALSO Rez,

What you really should have your panties in a bunch about instead of the lack of hats is the one uniform article that actually DOES look unprofessional and almost demeaning: The Leather Jacket. Looks trashy and well, unprofessional. Unless you're a professional biker. In which case it might look professional when you're at a biker gathering.

x2

The most important function of a uniform is to identify that you are in fact a pilot. Long ago in ages past the decision was made to dress airline pilots up like naval ship captains. OK, whatever, fine, it's dorky but it conveys the correct aura of weighty command responsibility and is unquestionably a crew uniform. Now some airlines decide its OK to dress like some strange hybrid of navy ship captain, WWII Bomber Pilot, and the Orkin Man. It's inconsistent, defeats the purpose of a uniform since it looks like any Joe Schmoe, and conveys an aura of heading into combat from which we may never return. Hardly what most passengers would like to see.

And don't get me started on all the multi-colored uniforms sprouting up. Sorry JetBlue but while the uniforms look OK they are the start of a very bad trend. Eventually we'll all be color coded and I don't want to be stuck with purple. Remember SkyBus? They looked like park rangers. Leave the cutesy/trendy uniforms to the FA's.

/rant

 

[UALRATT]

I can't believe you guys are still discussing this!!!

... But it is just a superficial (and arhaic) symbol from a bygone era.

:bawling: also from a bygone era are good salaries, QOL, respect, professional pride???? Loose the gold wings, the epilettes, the strips, and grab a pink rollerboard while you're at it cause the black "Prudy Neat.." is too pilotee.

Whine as much as you care too, the hat is here to stay. Try the ones at Premeir. I'm sure you can have one custom fitted...

 

[Abernathy]

Whine as much as you care too, the hat is here to stay. ..

The whole reason this thread was started is because the hats are going away...via policy.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I do not favor such a change, especially if negotiating capital must be spent to obtain it. My point was that if such a change is made, the public will quickly adapt to it, just as they have accepted far more serious reductions in the aesthetic traditions of air travel. I wish they would not, but they do.

Valid point Tom. My point is as individual professionals, why do we need company policy or other external factors to make the decision for us.

Professionalism and the image of it, is simply a choice.

The question is, why are so pilots choosing to reject that choice.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

No- I've said it a few times Rez- I believe the traveling public could care less about the hat- esp the FO hat which looks just like a skycap or doorman.

So why do pilots wear hats to picket? What is the difference between everyday?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

x2

The most important function of a uniform is to identify that you are in fact a pilot.

Stand next to a gate agent and FA and the pilot idendity is lost. Like it or not.... hat = pilot.

Long ago in ages past the decision was made to dress airline pilots up like naval ship captains. OK, whatever, fine, it's dorky but it conveys the correct aura of weighty command responsibility and is unquestionably a crew uniform. Now some airlines decide its OK to dress like some strange hybrid of navy ship captain, WWII Bomber Pilot, and the Orkin Man. It's inconsistent, defeats the purpose of a uniform since it looks like any Joe Schmoe, and conveys an aura of heading into combat from which we may never return. Hardly what most passengers would like to see.

Good point.

And don't get me started on all the multi-colored uniforms sprouting up. Sorry JetBlue but while the uniforms look OK they are the start of a very bad trend. Eventually we'll all be color coded and I don't want to be stuck with purple. Remember SkyBus? They looked like park rangers. Leave the cutesy/trendy uniforms to the FA's.

/rant

So instead of starting trends... stick with tradition, that includes the hat. Look like a pilot get paid like a pilot. Look like a gate agent or FA.....

 

[Abernathy]

Look like a pilot get paid like a pilot. Look like a gate agent or FA.....

Yes that works...

 

[PCL_128]

ALSO Rez,

What you really should have your panties in a bunch about instead of the lack of hats is the one uniform article that actually DOES look unprofessional and almost demeaning: The Leather Jacket. Looks trashy and well, unprofessional. Unless you're a professional biker. In which case it might look professional when you're at a biker gathering.

I'm with Rez on the hat, but I agree with you about the leather jacket being a far worse trend. Nobody wants to be hurtled through the air at 80% of the speed of sound in an aluminum tube under the command of......The Fonz.

 

[waveflyer]

Dude-
you guys are 10 years late to the conversation-

both the hat and the leather jacket trains have left the bldg.

But if you really think that re-instituting the required bellman hat will automatically increase pay--- we're in trouble ...

Well, you are... I'm paid quite nice and can wear my uniform how I want as long as it's sharp

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Right. Dream on brother. I wore a hat (and the USN style blazer) at Delta for many years and not once got a positive comment from anyone about the uniform except during Christmas tie season.

At SWA I often hear positive comments about my flag ties and the leather flight jacket. Not one comment about my lack of hat.

FA (females) also like my semi-white shirts and my Old Spice after shave.

Hat wearers do stand out at SWA though - not in a good way.

I never got a complement when we all wore hats and never expected one.

I you can't handle guys wearing hats, that's your problem. Grow up.