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Discussion: Leather Uniform Jackets

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SEVEN said:
I'm still not willing to give up yet. The professionalism of this industry has been tainted dramatically by the "Generation X" crowd who think it's "hip" to flip switches and wear leather while mom and dad are paying massive amounts of interest so Johnny could go to Gulfstream or Delta Academy. I know, the Leather Crowd is growing in a BIG way because of the growth of the regionals. I also know that this "new look" is going to be standard in the future and that's what scares me the most. I'll fight til the bitter end. Can we PLEASE start looking like professional flight crews and NOT Ted & Frank from the local Civil Air Patrol Auxillary Unit. I know some of you will come around and we all welcome you back. See you on the other side.

Thanks,

SEVEN, "Fighting for the return of professionalism in the Flight Deck!"
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Your personal opinion doesn't reflect reality. The growing trend of leather is not at the regionals but at the majors...

While Mesaba and AWAC are not getting leather NWA, UAL and UPS are the most recent additions....
 
"Can we PLEASE start looking like professional flight crews and NOT Ted & Frank from the local Civil Air Patrol Auxillary Unit."
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^^^ The crumpled up trenchcoat is professional?

Hmmmmm
 
SEVEN said:
I'm still not willing to give up yet. The professionalism of this industry has been tainted dramatically by the "Generation X" crowd who think it's "hip" to flip switches and wear leather while mom and dad are paying massive amounts of interest so Johnny could go to Gulfstream or Delta Academy. I know, the Leather Crowd is growing in a BIG way because of the growth of the regionals. I also know that this "new look" is going to be standard in the future and that's what scares me the most. I'll fight til the bitter end. Can we PLEASE start looking like professional flight crews and NOT Ted & Frank from the local Civil Air Patrol Auxillary Unit. I know some of you will come around and we all welcome you back. See you on the other side.

Thanks,

SEVEN, "Fighting for the return of professionalism in the Flight Deck!"
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I agree with the part about some of the young guys looking unprofessional, but it is certainly not hats or leather jackets that are the problem.

The only guys that don't look professional are the ones who shave once a week, get a haircut once every 6 months, wear the same shirt for an entire bid period, and the ipod/backpack crowd.
 
PCL_128 said:
The latter.

If you're wearing a leather jacket, then you look like a d0uchebag. I'm not just talking about in uniform, either. Leather jackets are just plain gay in any situation.
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Lighten up young squire,,,,,, PT made the decision....that should explain it better than all the arguments here. As, I stated above, it is not the best image, but it does offer practicality on the musical planes game at PCL......If PT wants me to look more professional, he could keep me locked in the same cockpit all day and slide quesadillas under the door sill. Keep me away from the public and feed me,,,,,,, I would be happy as a clam.......
 
Rez O. Lewshun said:
Your personal opinion doesn't reflect reality. The growing trend of leather is not at the regionals but at the majors...

While Mesaba and AWAC are not getting leather NWA, UAL and UPS are the most recent additions....
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I think you're wrong. I still see the majority of leather jackets worn by the regional clowns. Of course it's just my opionion though. We are flying civilian airplanes, not the Tomcat. We should fight the urge and temptation to wear the leather with stripes at any cost.
 
SEVEN said:
I think you're wrong. I still see the majority of leather jackets worn by the regional clowns. Of course it's just my opionion though. We are flying civilian airplanes, not the Tomcat. We should fight the urge and temptation to wear the leather with stripes at any cost.
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I see way more guys at the majors wearing them than the regionals (probably because we can't afford them). There are barely any guys who wear them here at PDT, but every other US Airways mainline pilot I see has one.
 
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Rez O. Lewshun said:
Sorry son..but look slightly left.... Big Bill Hopson is more of a man than you or I will ever be... he is the pure definition on an Air Line Pilot....

He was a soul aviator counting on only one thing..... himself.... in his day he relied on his skill, experience and instinct. He didn't have an enclosed cockpit, turbines, EGPWS, ILS, anti skid, and cowl heat. He also didn't have an Association to back up his right to PIC authority. He was killed before Dave got it started.

You and I are not worthy, if possible, to wipe the oil off his cowling or gas his aircraft.

Big Bill wore leather....

The Perrone leather jacket that many of us wear is so common one might get to use it at different airlines as I have... I can tell you that my leather jacket is more reliable than the dirt bag airlines I've been furloughed. With accumulating employee numbers on the inside liner as my "career" progresses...

Now that you've thrown every Naval Aviator, including my family, and USAF pilot AND Air Line Pilots at most airlines under the bus... Leather jackets have been a common icon to all types of aviators.

One of the reasons I like my leather jacket cause in this industry sometimes it is the only thing I can count on.....

No one is forcing you to buy or wear it..... so how are you harmed?
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Bravo!
 
Booker said:
Are you sure you're talking to me, or did you mean to address PCL_128? I agree with you all the way, amigo. My boss says I can choose between the leather or the blazer/trench combo. If someone doesn't like one or the other, they can take it up with the union or the chief, because I don't care, either.

Frankly, I'm more worried about maxing out my 401(k) and such, because I'm sure when I'm in a hospice bed with tubes sticking out of me because in 2023 they discovered that sani-wipes actually cause cancer, I won't be saying, "Dam, I should have worn the trench coat..."
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Sorry man,

The old fingers don't keyboard like they use to. With all of the turmoil in the industry I can't believe that a darn jacket is even an issue. Good luck with the 401K. I had to dip into mine after the furlough.
 
I do think the traditional blazer and hat looks more professional. It was fine for flying 2-3 legs a day and hitting the town in Paris/Munich in your "other" clothes.

The problem starts when going out on an overnight in FWA after 6 legs, with a captain that looks like chester the molester in blue jeans, t-shirt, and a trench coat. Oh, and by the way it is -15C and 20G38.

I am not going to carry extra coats/jackets with me. I am over 40 and don't give a rats A$$ about fashion. The leather coat is an approved piece of clothing and I am going to wear it until it is not approved.
 
I have read a few threads like this on other forums. It seems that there is literally a 50 / 50 split on the leather jacket issue.

The way I see it, if about half of us want them... let us wear them.

If the public does not complain.... keep letting us wear them.

If other pilots complain... that's normal, pilots complain about everything.

I do not think they are unprofessional. I do think they look better than a frickin trench coat. I think they are more convenient than a trench coat. And they will last longer, with proper care, than a trench coat. I do think they cost too much.

In the end, there are much more important things to worry about. So lets get together, skin us some cows, get us some polyester for the "others," and stay warm in the picket line as a unified group.
 
SEVEN said:
I think you're wrong. I still see the majority of leather jackets worn by the regional clowns. .
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Regional clowns huh? Some stereotyping going on there bud. What happened, you get turned down somewhere? Doesn't matter what you think because there is no movement to rid the wearing of leather at the regionals and nor at the majors. I wear one because it's more practical, warmer, less bulky, and can be worn on overnights minus the airline insignia. Get over it!

Hoser
ASA
 
Leather Jackets are great, but put stripes on the shoulders, and it looks totally bush league. NO way.
Leather jacket-cool, comfortable
Shoulder boards on a leather jacket- dorky
 
HoserASA said:
Get over it!

Hoser
ASA
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I've been trying to get over it for months now but I just can't. There is something good in all of us that just can't let this type of inhuman behavior continue. Everytime I see a leather jacket walk in front of me in the concourse I have to fight urge to call TSA because I think there is a kid trying to imitate a pilot.

I guess I'll need to set up an appointment with a therapist.
 
TNPILOT said:
Nothing looks more unprofessional than an airline pilot in a leather jacket.
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No way. Not even close. I just saw the Mesa windbreaker for the first time the other day. Up to that time, I just thought it was a flightinfo urban legend....

I can see how people would have a problem with the leather jacket, but a freaking WINDBREAKER???? How can a "professional" airline pilot even think of wearing something like that? YGBSM. No excuse for that one.
 
SEVEN said:
I guess I'll need to set up an appointment with a therapist.
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"Why? Because therapists are smart?"

Incidentally, if you only see regional "pukes" wearing leather, you haven't spent any time in SEA lately. Seems nearly every Alaska pilot, and a lot of LUV and USAMERICAAIRWAYSWEST guys are wearing them.

The more I see leather, the less odd it looks. I do find it more practical than a trenchcoat, which is why I use one when it's cold/windy.
 

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