Flight Instructors forced to wear epaulates

[CX880]

Realize it? Unfortunately, you're foolish enough to believe it.

When you one day grow up and find something else to do aside from being the uniform police for operators for whom you don't work (and with which you have no connection), and one day when you bother to substantiate your facts (of which you as yet have none), you may not post so foolishly.

Do you carry a ruler to ensure that each pilot at the terminal or FBO wears their wings the requisite distance above their pocket, that their gig line is straight, and that the shade of blue in their unpleated uniform pants matches the company specification? Do you do that, or are you simply selective regarding who's business it is into which you decide to inject yourself.

You've failed to answer the question, so it bears asking again; how do you know this individual was a pilot? A flight instructor? Off-duty? For whom did this alleged instructor work? You haven't replied thus far because you really don't know.

You're too busy sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, in this case the motorcycle seat of the alleged instructor, that you really don't need facts. After all, isn't it so much more professional for you to go off half-cocked pass judgement outside your area of concern, and mind someone else's business?

Do this: find out who it is for whom this person you saw works. Report them. Protect us all from this terrible slight on our collective reputation. After all, you think you're the man for the job; you're the one willing to butt in where you don't belong. You might as well push it as far as you can go. Why stop at passing judgment regarding things that don't concern you, when you can really inject yourself well beyond your bounds? Go for it. You know you want to, don't you?

The problem is that you really have no idea where to begin, as you don't know who it is for whom this person worked, what they do, or any other tidbit remotely related to the facts. You saw someone on a motorcycle, rushed to judgment, and had to rush here to the internet to tell us all.

Does your head come with it's own satellite system, or perhaps just some small moons? It's certainly getting big enough. You're already judge and jury. Have you considered hiring out as executioner?

Even if I proved it to you that this guy was an instructor or whatever, it wouldn't matter for you. The truth is, it doesn't matter what he was. He was wearing a uniform in an unprofessional matter, degrading the pilot image.

I think you've got the wrong impression of me though, no I don't carry a ruler and no I don't usually make comments on uniforms. It's just that what I saw was not something you'd expect, it was not ordinary. He showed lack of professionalism and also disregard for safety by holding a bag while riding a motorcycle, all in uniform. Some have also agreed here with that sentiment. My feelings are that this profession is already in the toilet, the last thing we should be doing is personally hurting our professional image, the only thing that we have left.

 

[avbug]

Even if I proved it to you that this guy was an instructor or whatever, it wouldn't matter for you. The truth is, it doesn't matter what he was.

You can't prove anything, because the truth is that you just don't know. You don't know that the individual was a pilot, let alone a flight instructor. Never the less, you firmly believe this individual slighted you, some how.

Doesn't matter what he was? Suppose he was a bellman, sent by someone in his apartment complex to pick up a Big Mac? It doesn't matter that he's not a pilot, but some how he's denigrating the pilot world at large?

It doesn't matter what his profession, only that he's giving pilots a bad name by riding on a motorcycle?

It doesn't matter what his profession might be, but it's the combination of eating at McDonalds and riding a motorcycle that's dragging down aviation?

Mind your own business.

He was wearing a uniform in an unprofessional matter, degrading the pilot image.

The mighty pilot image. Ah, vanity.

How many times do you gaze in the mirror each day to take in "the pilot image?"

A uniform is a company-specific item which prevents you from arriving on the flight deck naked.

In the course of my career, I've worn pilot uniforms that consisted of white shirt-and tie, nomex jump suits, blue jeans and tee shirt, polo shirt and slacks, shorts and flip-flops, flight suit and parachute, helmet boots and flight suit, suit and tie, jeans and shirt, etc. Each what the company, organization, agency, operator wanted to see. Or didn't want to see, as some operations demanded anonymity. Never the less, the one common thread among each of those operations was that not a single one was any of your business. More to the point, at no point did you collect my paycheck or earn my money, or fly in my cockpit, or have any say in any way, shape, or form regarding what I wore, or wear. Or how I might wear it, for that matter.

The only consideration there exists between me and the person paying my paycheck. The same goes for the alleged instructor (the one you can't identify by name, job, or employer). It's really none of your business.

You remind me of the blonde who, when riding in a car with her boyfriend, spied another blonde sitting in a rowboat in a plowed field. The blonde in the rowboat was attempting to row madly as though she were going someplace, but was obviously sitting still (being in a boat on the dirt in a field, you see). The blonde in the car demanded her boyfriend pull over, where upon she jumped from the car, ran to the fence surrounding the field, and began angrily shaking her fist.

"Blondes like that give blonde's like me a bad name!" she said, angrily. "And if I wasn't dressed no nicely, I'd swim out there and give her a piece of my mind."

Mind your own business.

I think you've got the wrong impression of me though, no I don't carry a ruler and no I don't usually make comments on uniforms.

Not at all. I've got a very accurate impression of you. You enjoy sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, and have the misguided idea that others owe you something. Perhaps you even feel self-imporant enough to believe that anyone should care what you think about their uniform.

You usually don't make comments about uniforms, unless someone happens to be riding a motorcycle, the cardinal sin, which can only be compounded by carrying a McDonalds meal.

Then again, you're the same one who adamantly claimed that you said nothing about wages, when you introduced the five dollar wage in your initial comments. You can't even keep your own commentary straight, so it's little wonder you're having trouble making the world do what you want it to do.

It's just that what I saw was not something you'd expect, it was not ordinary.

There we have it. Children and small minds tend to react to that which isn't familiar, and to lash out at that which is different. Which one are you?

He showed lack of professionalism and also disregard for safety by holding a bag while riding a motorcycle, all in uniform.

Was it the uniform that made him unsafe again, or was it the McDonalds?

I've carried bags while riding a motorcycle on many occasions, quite safely. Perhaps you need some driver's education, as well as a little more maturity and a lot less ego.

Some have also agreed here with that sentiment.

Ah, well there you go. That changes everything. Someone as immature as you agrees with you on flightinfo, of all places. You've made a breakthrough. Perhaps you can start a support group; Over-Egotistical Immature Pilots Anonymous. 12 steps to sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. OEIPA, coming soon to a high school gymnasium near you.

My feelings are that this profession is already in the toilet, the last thing we should be doing is personally hurting our professional image, the only thing that we have left.

Image is nothing. Obey your thirst.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Well, what does look a little repulsive is the car parked in the FBO lot with a pilot shirt hanging off a hanger with serious ring-around-the-collar yellowing.

Reflects poorly on ones hygiene, and your car identifies you.

 

[avbug]

You live in your car?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

You live in your car?

Uh huh.

 

[Black Hawk]

Pilot uniforms look stupid and outdated regardless of who's wearing them or what job the person wearing it happens to have.

 

[CX880]

avbug you're either an idiot or you have some issues, it can't be both. get some help...

 

[JAFI]

degrading the pilot image.

Oh, I think that ship sailed a long time ago. If the public had a choice between a drunken pilot or one that eats at McDonalds and rides a motorcycle in uniform which do you think they will pick?

I think you are way off base here. Just let this issue die a quiet death. IMHO you are urinating into the wind.

 

[CX880]

I was done when I posted the info. I'm just entertaining avbug.

 

[avbug]

I was done when I posted the info.

Yes, you certainly were. It's only gone down hill for you, since then.

 

[CX880]

I'd say not, many people except for you got the message.

 

[greed]

How do you know he was a pilot? You do realize that many other professions wear epaulates. Heck, the van driver that picked me up the other day had 4 stripes. Wonder how long her upgrade was?

Ok that was funny

 

[VW Pilot]

This was very entertaining....But avbug has some strong points...strong opinions or fatcs...Kind of reminds me of Bill O'Reiley...no offense. I've seen guys n gals in pilot uniforms in ragged cars...I'm talkin real rust buckets and clunkers. Can't afford nice cars because they spent all their duckets on aviation education....does nothing to the image.....I see this ALOT...But these pilots are often hardcore...some of the best...WHY? Because they passed on the Benz and put their money towards learning...I've flown with em...and their skill shows in the airplane, not by the wheels. And yes Greed, that was funny.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Take it off lol

Ive yet to see any surgeon or cop walking around the walmart in their uniform.

It's the professional thing to do, it's about showing a positive image.

Many people out there, despite what has happened the last decade with the profession, still respect pilots. That's pretty much all there is left of this profession. They have an image of us as professionals. That gets tarnshied as we walk around walmart holding chips and beer or driving our motorcycles in full uniform clutching a McDonalds bag.

Nothing against Mcdonalds, and nothing against motorcycles.

I see cops at Walmart all the time. They are usually there arresting the ghetto shoplifters that are constantly in there.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

I've seen guys n gals in pilot uniforms in ragged cars...I'm talking real rust buckets and clunkers. Can't afford nice cars because they spent all their duckets on aviation education

Pilots riding in a piece of crap car is fine. Their intent is to get to work. Many pilots (highly paid captains or low paid copilots) drive a clunker as an airport car. They do this mainly because they're cheap to get, but also because they don't have to worry about it getting stolen when it is parked for extended periods at the airport or some crash pad. Who wants to steal a junker car really?

Driving a clunker in uniform is different than speeding around on a motorbike in uniform. What's different is the intent.
Why is the motorcycle scenario wrong? Because its immature, pompous, in bad taste and obvious the instructor was seeking attention and wanted to make sure everyone noticed him.
Embarrassing.

Most professions, where you're a noticeable public figure, have rules regarding wearing the uniform outside of the workplace, except going to and from work.
When I was in law enforcement, we had to go straight to and from work while in uniform, no exception. None of this business of stopping for a gallon of milk on the way home from work.
How many times do you see other public figures, like a judge in his robe riding a motorcycle with his robe flapping in the breeze, or a firefighter with his little hat on riding a motorcycle, or a military officer in full dress uniform. Just something you don't expect to see.

 

[CX880]

How many times do you see other public figures, like a judge in his robe riding a motorcycle with his robe flapping in the breeze, or a firefighter with his little hat on riding a motorcycle, .

hahaha

 

[VW Pilot]

Well I'm not going to carry the issue on my back...I don't see anything wrong with motorcycles. I love bikes. How many times have i seen public figures on the way to work on bikes?? Several...I have seen TSA screeners in uniform on bikes and in walmart shopping for groceries, I see cops on bikes all the time...hell one pulled me over for god sakes...those were some of the biggest black boots I have ever seen worn!!! I got not ticket just a warning...(whew) I 've seen people in scrubs walking around in the mall, when I worked for ASIG servicing Spirit Airlines, I saw a pilot siting in the left seat in full uniform wearing a go U.S. army baseball cap!!! people in the airport could see em!! We pushed the airplane back fromt he gate and the plane left.....I've seen Military personel on bikes in camos, Hell the Govenor of California busted his ass on his bike....did I see it...no, but it was all over the news...he was like "Ja, I caam aroun tha cornah and busted my aaahhss"!! Das ist irre witzig!!

Here is something else I've seen. Another time when I was working as a fleet service clerk for ASIG, I saw a Spirit Airlines Captain, with glossy red eyes, with the smell of whiskey, with slurred speach come down the jetway exit and walk across the ramp....he wasn't walking straight. Did I do something??...you bet. I walked over to the ground ops room and told them about it. He was flying the MD-80 at the time. I don't know if they did anything to em that day. Or at all. All I know is the next time I saw em, He was Captain on the A319 and then 2 month's after that he was retiring. I remember the airport firetrucks spraying water over the plane for his last flight. I'm not sure if I could have done more or what I dont had any effect at all, But At lease I told representatives of the company. Also the last few times I saw him, he wouldn't look at me or anything...

Want more? two years ago, it was Halloween night, I was cruizing through a neighborhood trick or treating with my little nephews here in Tampa, and I saw a person, who appeared to be in his early twenties about 5ft 6in. tall, walking with a few kids and two other persons who appeared to have been the same age is him, in what appeared to be a Pilots uniform....White shirt n tie, shoulder boards and n slacks.....Was this a Pilot?? Or some one pretending to be a Pilot....I dunno....

Go to youtube, in the search bar put airline pilot comedy....a video will appear that will show people dressed as pilots in simulators making fun of Pilots.... there are various commercials that suggest that pilots are kind of stupid...like the one that shows the two pilots sitting in the terminal waiting for a plane working crossword puzzles...not knowing how to spell...Then they get up and one says, i hope were sitting next to each other....Should we go after these people who make this stuff??? what are you gonna say about these things?? Hurts the image? NOT....

 

[Midnight Flyer]

Go to youtube, in the search bar put airline pilot comedy....a video will appear that will show people dressed as pilots in simulators making fun of Pilots.... there are various commercials that suggest that pilots are kind of stupid...

This excerpt from your message is about the only thing you said that I do agree with. Pilots are oftentimes made to look like stupid, stumbling, drunken incompetent idiots.
That's why there's so many Parody's about pilots. There's so many I can't list them all, but here's a few.

1. Weavin on a Jet Plane (youtube)
2. Pilot Comedy in a Simulator (youtube)
3. AIRPLANE! (no explanation necessary)
4. Hudson River Landing Spoof (youtube)
5. Mr. Discount Airline Pilot Guy (Real Men of Genius that was banned)
6. Dean Martin/Foster Brooks Drunk Airline Pilot skit
7. "Man Show" Drunk Pilot Parody video, where Adam Corolla & Jimmy Kimmell dressed up as pilots and got drunk in the airport bar.


The public already has a preconceived negative opinion about pilots. If you don't think so, please see above list.
Pilots have huge egos, much more than any other profession that I've seen. Some pilots want the public to see them in their uniform and think that they fly big shiny jets. You won't see as many parody's about any other profession as you will for pilots.
We don't need to be riding around in uniform like an idiot on a motorcycle. It's unprofessional. It only takes 10 seconds to pull off the shoulder boards. That makes all the difference. Mine come off first thing as I get in my junker car on the way home from the airport.

 

[CX880]

Go to youtube, in the search bar put airline pilot comedy....a video will appear that will show people dressed as pilots in simulators making fun of Pilots.... there are various commercials that suggest that pilots are kind of stupid...like the one that shows the two pilots sitting in the terminal waiting for a plane working crossword puzzles...not knowing how to spell...Then they get up and one says, i hope were sitting next to each other....Should we go after these people who make this stuff??? what are you gonna say about these things?? Hurts the image? NOT....

Well think about it first... Those negative commercials or portrays of pilots are based on reality! Why do you think Budwiser and others have used drunk pilots or pilots partying in general in their advertisements? Because one bone head made headlines or maybe it's something the producers had seen before. You think it would be happening for PANAM pilots back in the day?? This is what we all mean by hurting the image and the general degradation of the pilot imagine. Don't add to it.

 

[VW Pilot]

Well let me ask you this question....the next time you see a pilot riding a motorcycle or parading around on a bike with a bag of mcdonald's or see a person out of place, in such a manner...What are YOU gonna do about it?