Discussion: Leather Uniform Jackets

[twighead]

The minority are USAir and DAL

USAir does wear leather jackets now so you can scratch them off the list. We also don't wear hats anymore. They don't even offer hats for new hires at PDT anymore. I think Seven must be messing his freshly pressed slacks.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

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!"

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....

 

[rfa]

"Can we PLEASE start looking like professional flight crews and NOT Ted & Frank from the local Civil Air Patrol Auxillary Unit."

^^^ The crumpled up trenchcoat is professional?

Hmmmmm

 

[twighead]

^^^ The crumpled up trenchcoat is professional?

Hmmmmm

Apparently he thinks so. He has given no reason why leather jackets are unprofessional other than the fact that he doesn't like them.

 

[twighead]

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!"

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.

 

[n32jk]

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.

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.......

 

[SEVEN]

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....

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.

 

[twighead]

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.

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.

 

[Palerider957]

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?

Bravo!

 

[AAslag]

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..."

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.

 

[Booker]

Sorry man,
The old fingers don't keyboard like they use to.

No worries!

 

[COOPERVANE]

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.

 

[Edge540]

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.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

...alas, if only the cows knew how much strife their skin is causing around FI.

 

[HoserASA]

I think you're wrong. I still see the majority of leather jackets worn by the regional clowns. .

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

 

[saabservant]

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

 

[SEVEN]

Get over it!

Hoser
ASA

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.

 

[freeflyer14]

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

Man Law!

 

[MarineGrunt]

Nothing looks more unprofessional than an airline pilot in a leather jacket.

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.

 

[ReverseSensing]

I guess I'll need to set up an appointment with a therapist.

"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.

 

[Hamburger]

I'm not sure why everyone says a trench won't keep you warm. I've done a lot of early winter mornings in the Northeast and in storms that made the airport look like Hoth, the few minutes of walkaround was never a big deal. Don't forget, leather is useless in the rain.

The leather is rooted in a time before air conditioning systems when it got cold in flight and there was a fair chance that you wouldn't make it home. I've never dropped bombs on Dresden or gone against Zeros in the south pacific, so I don't wear the leather. Military guys have earned it, civilians are just perpetrators.

 

[belchfire]

Well, lots of civilians wore leather in the old days. What is wrong with perpetuating the tradition? Leather as Aviation apperal predates the The Blazer, Tie and Hat-they come from maritime tradition. We aren't running a cruise line for crying out loud with stewards to make sure our suits are pressed and shoes are shined daily, we are moving bus loads of self propelled biohazards through the sky.

 

[80for80]

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

How then are you going to tell who's the Captain and who's not?

 

[11thHour]

Personally, I think the leather looks good, plus it's functional, makes for easier commuting than the blazer imo. Bottom of my list goes to the trenchcoat. And what's with people thinking leather looks unprofessional? Explain please? How does wearing a blazer with stripes make you more of a professional? BTW, the most horrible looking combo is the blazer with the hat. It's a clown getup. But hey, you where whatever you want withing the guidance of your company FOM. I'm amazed what people get bent out of shape about.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

How then are you going to tell who's the Captain and who's not?

How do you tell the CA with the trench coat over the blazer?




The hat.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

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.

Yes more opinion... I would guess that there are more regional pilots with leather however, more than less major/legacy carriers now allow leather... the trend is growing not regressing....

Reality, not my opinion, is what it is......

 

[Hamburger]

Well, lots of civilians wore leather in the old days. What is wrong with perpetuating the tradition? Leather as Aviation apperal predates the The Blazer, Tie and Hat-they come from maritime tradition. We aren't running a cruise line for crying out loud with stewards to make sure our suits are pressed and shoes are shined daily, we are moving bus loads of self propelled biohazards through the sky.

You've made my point completely. The leather is about seat of the pants defying death type of flying. That's not what I do. I am an airline pilot, and what I do is absolutely rooted in maritime tradition. It's reflected in everything from the rules to the nomenclature to the uniform. That's why there's a Captain and if your plane is big enough, there's a purser as well as stewards.

If you insist on thinking of it as driving a bus, the case can be made, so think about a bus driver's uniform. No leather jackets at Greyhound.

 

[CheeseDick]

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.

You can't make me own more than one shirt

Or get it cleaned for that matter

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

You've made my point completely. The leather is about seat of the pants defying death type of flying. That's not what I do. I am an airline pilot, and what I do is absolutely rooted in maritime tradition. It's reflected in everything from the rules to the nomenclature to the uniform. That's why there's a Captain and if your plane is big enough, there's a purser as well as stewards.

If you insist on thinking of it as driving a bus, the case can be made, so think about a bus driver's uniform. No leather jackets at Greyhound.

Capt. Smith was a wild rogue.... sank the Titanic.... killed more people than van Zanten

The early days of aviation is a part of our heritage... Know the past... embrace the future...

It is all personal opinion except that more and more pilots are wearing the leather and more airlines are making it policy....

 

[belchfire]

You've made my point completely. The leather is about seat of the pants defying death type of flying. That's not what I do. I am an airline pilot, and what I do is absolutely rooted in maritime tradition. It's reflected in everything from the rules to the nomenclature to the uniform. That's why there's a Captain and if your plane is big enough, there's a purser as well as stewards.

Oh, my plane is big enough-though we don't require flight attendants. The stewards I was refering to are the type that see that the Officer's Mess is always shipshape, not those that care for the passengers-though I can understand the confusion...

I haven't made your point at all! Seat of the pants flying was all they had back then! That aviation has grown into the safe and reliable system that it is-I can think of no more fitting tribute to those brave men. If I wanted to be a sea captian I would have gone to the Merchant Marine Academy! Yeah there is some crossover from things nautical-we even used to have Flight Navigators that used sextents. There were the Boeing and Martin flying boats of Pan Am and the Shorts that were used on the Empire routes. For your nautical stuff-before rubber coatings for foul weather gear the sailors wore oilskins which were nothing more than oil impregnated leather trench coats!

Some of the really vain ones may even have carried leather riding crops!

Ah, the leather comes back to haunt you again and again!

Do you do your regular tours in the sim? Do you not practice emergencies like "Smoke in the Cockpit"? I know that it's not likely but what is going to give you more protection-and thereby more time to fight a fire- your poly/wool blazer or a leather jacket?

How about a depressurization? Ever try to fly wearing a trench coat? It's not fun! And I don't care how professional or tough you think you are you won't last long at 40 below in your shirtsleeves!