Epaulets - Do you wear them?

[AA717driver]

Our Captains always wear epaulets. 4 strips for domestic and 5 stripes for international. Same for the Jackets, 3/4 inch thick.

Our Intl captains actually have 5 strips sewn to the bottom of their pants legs, in case they are in the john people know who they are. The problem is we can only purchase these uniforms from the Italian submarine commander shop. It can take 3 months to get them specially made.

You know you can get the same uniform components from the Bolivian Army Surplus Store. Go to the officer's section. Lots of braid and brass. Maybe try the Mexican Army, too. TC

P.S.--I heard the Delta International CA's wanted to do the 5-stripe thing. Dorks.

 

[hellas]

They let the people in the company know who is going to clean the cabin..

 

[some_dude]

If you hang around at the front of a nice hotel, sometimes people will toss you the keys to their cars as well!

That can come in handy for getting to the BBQ joint across town.

Consider at least bringing epaulets with you while on the road. You might be able to moonlight as a doorman/porter at the hotels you stay at, and earn yourself some extra beer money in tips.

 

[Dinger]

I wear mine while at recurrent. It really lets them know that I am serious about training. The chicks dig em', too!

I've even been known to wear mine to the grocery store. I am a pilot it I want to shout it out for the whole world to hear!

 

[BE200Driver]

Sounded too French. The boss had all that junk taken out of the plane.

 

[oldxfr8dog]

It's been awhile since I have flown international (I don't think Mex and Canada count).
Used to be, a uniform or at least epaulets, carried a little weight other parts of the world. The less developed, the more impressed.
That changed?

 

[Lead Sled]

It's been awhile since I have flown international (I don't think Mex and Canada count).
Used to be, a uniform or at least epaulets, carried a little weight other parts of the world. The less developed, the more impressed.
That changed?

My experience has been that they don't really do much for you any more. In the past we've worn them on international flights and the first thing that you should probably do upon reaching the airport is take them off or cover them up with a coat or sweater - all they're doing at that point is saying "Hey look at me, I'm a rich pilot." Unfortunately, in today's world that's probably not the message you want to be putting out. We use handlers for 95% of our international flying and they negate any advantage that a uniform and all of the trimmings give you.

'Sled

 

[vossdr1]

When I worked charter, we wore epaulets and tie. Now I usually wear pants.

 

[banned username 2]

My experience has been that they don't really do much for you any more. In the past we've worn them on international flights and the first thing that you should probably do upon reaching the airport is take them off or cover them up with a coat or sweater - all they're doing at that point is saying "Hey look at me, I'm a rich pilot." Unfortunately, in today's world that's probably not the message you want to be putting out. We use handlers for 95% of our international flying and they negate any advantage that a uniform and all of the trimmings give you.

'Sled

EXACTLY... I agree 100%...

 

[semperfido]

no epaulets dom or intl. hasn't been a hindrance intl- even in far flung 3rd world places. they are uneccessary. a flight crew ID badge on the other hand is useful.

 

[empenage]

no epaulets dom or intl. hasn't been a hindrance intl- even in far flung 3rd world places. they are uneccessary. a flight crew ID badge on the other hand is useful.

Along with a pocket full of 5's!

 

[User546]

Our company policy is stricly dress slacks and a polo/golf shirts. Our Chief Pilot refers to uniforms and epaulettes as "clown suits". I like that policy and I don't. Sometimes when we're on a long trip, it'd sure be alot easier just to have a uniform to wear everyday rather then having to pick out all indiviudal outfits and have to decide what to wear everyday. (Besides the suitcase being a little lighter)

Another company that I fill in for in their Bravo from time to time require dress slacks, long sleeve white shirts, and a tie.

And then theres the guy I use to fly a 421 for from time to time who always made me wear the full uniform and epaulettes everywhere we went. I hated more then anything having to step out of that 421 in that uniform! The owner/operator was a real pud, and I think he probably just felt like it made him look more important then he really is by me wearing that uniform.

 

[semperfido]

Along with a pocket full of 5's!

...and a box full of team hats and other assorted wampum

 

[empenage]

...and a box full of team hats and other assorted wampum

No kidding, they love NY on any ball cap. I gave a Russian in Nairobi my GIV windbreaker for showing me his airplane...no kidding, it brought tears to his eyes. He was so happy you would have thought I paid off his house!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

No kidding, they love NY on any ball cap. I gave a Russian in Nairobi my GIV windbreaker for showing me his airplane...no kidding, it brought tears to his eyes. He was so happy you would have thought I paid off his house!

The power of Vendor clothing is amazing overseas....
given away many a hats - you would have think you just handed out $100 bills...

even company logo stuff is a big hit...pretty strange...

anyways - ditto what the rest are saying - NO uniform or stripe junk - not smart to look like a pilot these days. I have heard of some companies going as far as changing before leaving the aircraft - out of suits into street clothes...

crew IDs are great and I stash mine once in the car to the hotel.