Has the "luster" really gone?

[CE402]

Do you agree?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,78652,00.html

 

[furlowedSF34]

It is a mean business to be in but when things turn around in the next 2-10 years, I look forward to flying again for my airline.

 

[AV8OR]

"Has the "luster" really gone?"

If the terminal swagger is what gives it the luster, then yes.

If carrying out a fairlyunique job with profesionalism, class and integrity, is what provides the "luster",...no.

If your doin it cause you think others think its cool, your doin it for the wrong reasons, and you'll be dissapointed.

 

[stingray]

I understand what the guy is saying in the article, my father took an early retirement from Eastern, also for some of the same reasons as he did from his airline. (just before the stike) and that was over 10yrs ago.

However still with all the different problems we all encounter at our various comapnies that we fly for, I believe most of us still get into the job for the love of flying, and that is why we stay. I've been flying for 18yrs now and I still can't wait for my next flight.

Fly Safe and enjoy every flight

 

[WrightAvia]

Regardless of your current status....

I honestly believe we need to get our luster filled brothers to go out and hit the high school circuit and give presentations on careers in commercial aviation and the coming pilot shortage, to go out and volunteer to put on speaking engagements at career fairs for the mid career change people and to hand out brochures for flight schools at colleges around the country. Maybe even show em that one ad for Embry Riddle(or whatever school...the ads are like, really getting wierd anyway), like that one that shows the single mom in her airline pilot style uniform on the wing of a senica, with her childeren standing next to her. Good ad by the way...sue the ex-husband for flight school money to move into an exciting career, where being at home alot and making tonnes of money right out of the starting gate is a happening thing!

But any way...while were all going down on each other with this happy do good feeling of aviation related brotherly love and such...let's not forget to get all the others out there from grade schoolers, mid-life career changers and single mom's, to come on in and enjoy the luster! Yea buddy...a little Johnson's turtle wax and elbow grease will go a long way...

 

[ackairpilot]

you said luster

What you need is a fatty boom batty blunt and some big Tittied flight attendants doing some of that lesbian S%#T. Then you will get your lust back.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

raise the ticket prices and lower the maximum weight (of FAs, that is...) there's yer solution

keeps the capacity at acceptable levels, and brightens the experience for sexually starving middle-aged business travelers

 

[WrightAvia]

luster...

hey, speaking of luster...did you guys get a chance to see the 300th episode of the simpsons tonight?

 

[Typhoon1244]

Do you agree?

No.

I still talk to people who react with enthusiasm when they find out I'm an airline pilot. In many circles, 9/11 actually increased the level of respect we get from the general public.

As for the job...yeah, I'm ready for early retirement every time I have to take off my shoes and open my belt for some TSA nimrod. But that doesn't take away the charge I get from a really well executed visual approach, etc, etc.

I love this job...and neither Osama bin Laden nor Tom Ridge are gonna change that.

(Now if they start requiring DNA testing before you're allowed access to the airplane, I might change my mind...)

 

[DBacks]

If we want to improve our impression to the public, the first thing that needs to be done is to LOOK GOOD while you're working, no matter what type of equipment you fly (I work for Eagle). I can't stand seeing some slob pilot walking around the airport... no tie, no hat, Quiksilver tee-shirt showing through a wrinkled pilot shirt, five o'clock shade from the day before, ancient shoes, etc. You expect to command respect looking like that? I can just hear people. "I hope that guy isn't my pilot!" And for god's sake, watch your weight! No uniform will look good carrying an enormous tire. I have to give credit to the AA guys. They always look sharp. And that's half the battle. As my very first 121 ground school instructor put it: "Look good, be on time, and don't hit anything hard". Those were his rules for a prosperous airline career. Go Diamondbacks!

 

[gopherflight]

I can't stand seeing some slob pilot walking around the airport... no tie, no hat, Quiksilver tee-shirt showing through a wrinkled pilot shirt, five o'clock shade from the day before, ancient shoes, etc. You expect to command respect looking like that? I can just hear people. "I hope that guy isn't my pilot!"
Amen to that! It's amazing how certain pilots will act completely unprofessional in the way they dress or how they conduct themselves yet will bi**h about how the public or how management doesn't treat or view them as a true PROFESSIONAL!

 

[BoredToDeath]

If we want to improve our impression to the public, the first thing that needs to be done is to LOOK GOOD while you're working, no matter what type of equipment you fly (I work for Eagle). I can't stand seeing some slob pilot walking around the airport... no tie, no hat, Quiksilver tee-shirt showing through a wrinkled pilot shirt, five o'clock shade from the day before, ancient shoes, etc. You expect to command respect looking like that? I can just hear people. "I hope that guy isn't my pilot!" And for god's sake, watch your weight! No uniform will look good carrying an enormous tire. I have to give credit to the AA guys. They always look sharp. And that's half the battle. As my very first 121 ground school instructor put it: "Look good, be on time, and don't hit anything hard". Those were his rules for a prosperous airline career. Go Diamondbacks!

I agree with everything you said, Except about the HATS. The hats need to GO man. Their outdated, useless, and look retarded. Can we please Get Rid of the HATS!

 

[skytrucker]

You have a point about looking good, but

If how I looked was a reflection of how management treated me, I'd be wearing a speedo with a tube top!!

Next time you see some poor bastard with old shoes; remember he might be pulling down a whopping 15g's with a wife and kid to feed. Try walking a mile in THOSE shoes.

Hoverever, I do agree you should look as professional as your job demands. More personal pride than how the company looks.

 

[SkySpray]

That way they'll look good when speaking to the accident investigators.

I have to give credit to the AA guys. They always look sharp.

 

[WrightAvia]

I'm starting to get my luster back!!!

All this chat about dressing has me going again...do you think they have an airline style, professional aviation version of "DEPENDS"? You know...something that would go good with a Van Husen pilot shirt and a pair of navy blue pleated dress slacks? Then I won't look so unprofessional and lack luster whilst taking a leak in wide mouth RAGU spaghetti sauce jar.

Oooops...thread creep!

 

[Deftone45075]

I'm sure they sell pilot "depends" in the sporty's catalog.

 

[Salty Dog]

DBacks,

Reminds me of George Hamilton in "Zorro, the Gay Blade"...

"There's no shame in being poor, only in dressing poorly."

Some truth to that....

 

[surfnole]

like that one that shows the single mom in her airline pilot style uniform on the wing of a senica, with her childeren standing next to her. Good ad by the way...sue the ex-husband for flight school money to move into an exciting career, where being at home alot and making tonnes of money right out of the starting gate is a happening thing!

I couldn't believe that ad. What a great career for a single mother! Not. Could anyone here imagine trying to be an airline pilot as a single parent? If its possible, you would have to have some great family nearby to care for your kids.

Just who is that ad trying to target? Is there really a market of single moms just dying to get into the airlines and leave their kids two to three weeks of the month?

 

[Jump Pilot]

Speaking of looking good, what's the deal with clip-on ties? Soemone told me that some airlines require them as a safety measure. You know, in case someone grabbed you by the tie you could get away.

If so, is it possible that more secure cockpit door will make the clip-on obsolete?

 

[ksu_aviator]

Here I go again,

I think this article hints at the real problem today. Its not airlines, pilots or the like. Its a lack of respect in the community. Its about people being rude every chance they get and people that believe they are entitled to the world but aren't willing to pay for it.

Over the last 40 years we have seen the rise in drug abuse, loss of inhibitions, decline in morality and complete disregard for civility. It use to be that people respected each other, where honest in their business and would help out a neighbor when needed. Now people use any opportunity they can find to scream obsenities at you, cheat you out of your money and no one will ever stop to help a stranded motorist. Am I the only one that gives up a seat on the crew bus for an elderly woman any more?

What happened? Baby Boomers, thats what happened. The most worthless generation to have ever disgraced this country or this planet. What have Baby Boomers contributed to this country? They got us welfare, high divorce rates, the onset of AIDS, outrageous lawsuits, plastic surgery, and worst of all Bill Clinton. Even today I watched a couple having sex on NBC at 9 pm.

My rant has no point other than I have lost all respect for the Baby Boomer generation. Its thier fault for everything. They have taken a once great nation and reduced it to liars, cheaters and thieves. We are a nation of dope heads, satanists and critiques and heaven forbid anyone mention God within earshot of a government office or a school.

Oh ya, one other thing, according to the baby boomers, its ok to kill an unborn child, but the moment that child is born if you even slap their hand we'll take the child away and lock you up in jail. That makes a lot of sense.

 

[flywithastick]

Re: Regardless of your current status....

like that one that shows the single mom in her airline pilot style uniform on the wing of a senica, with her childeren standing next to her. Good ad by the way...sue the ex-husband for flight school money to move into an exciting career, where being at home alot and making tonnes of money right out of the starting gate is a happening thing!

I think I hear the sarcasm... Hopefully, that's a staged photo. It makes me sick! Any woman placing herself in that situation is horribly selfish. She needs to be with those kids 7 days a week. Day-working moms are bad enough, but being away from home 3-5 days at a time would be abusive. I don't care if anyone thinks this is chauvanistic - it's a fact!

Ever wonder why women get so belligerent when the issue of their working and what effect it has on their children they've pawned off on day care at 6 weeks of age?! It's based mostly on guilt! Some, understandably, have to work. Most don't. It's one of the great oxymorons of the PC era... professional career mom. Can't do both effectively.

sorry to get off track.

As for the image of the profession. I've said it many times. *All* that matters is perception. Overweight, sloppy uniforms, swearing or not just acting the part. It all chips away at the image/perception. I know how little some make, but that doesn't mean you can't buy a can of shoe polish (anyone ever use that stuff any more?), keep your weight reasonable and your shirt tucked in neatly.

my 2 cents

 

[Deftone45075]

Wow, and I used to get made fun of by some because my shirts were always pressed and my hair was always cut and neat. Guess they just disn't know me on my days off.

 

[XLR8]

What really chaps me is when someone walking through the terminal in uniform is telling a story to his/her co-worker about the last time they got trashed!

No wonder people are worried about their pilots being drunk!

 

[FEDUPPILOT]

To the guy that works for Eagle: I also work for Eagle, out on the rock (SJU) You come here and wear the stupid hat in 100% humidty and 95+ temps!! Give me a FREAKING BREAK!!!! Also if I made more than 16,000 a year a could afford new shoes!!! GET A REALITY CHECK!!! The AA guys can afford those Things!!! (Dripping with sarcasm!!!)

 

[list2002]

raise the ticket prices and lower the maximum weight (of FAs, that is...) there's yer solution

Yup, gotta re-create the mystique.

 

[DBacks]

Oh please, spare us the 'poor-me' routine. I was based down there in that hole for 9 months as a new-hire, and know well enough that when it's 94 outside, it's always a nice 75 in the terminal. Plus, you never have to wear your jacket down there (last I knew), so is it really a big deal to wear your hat when you walk down to 'El Patio', or whatever other nasty restaurant they have there now? Does making $16k/yr mean that you don't have to iron your shirt on overnights? Most of the pilots down there seem to think so. You're just trying to justify why you look like a complete slob, and I don't buy it.

I also work for Eagle, out on the rock (SJU) You come here and wear the stupid hat in 100% humidty and 95+ temps!! Give me a FREAKING BREAK!!!! Also if I made more than 16,000 a year a could afford new shoes!!! GET A REALITY CHECK!!!

 

[surfnole]

The hats are really dorky. I have to agree. I would hate to wear polyester pants and shirts as well.

 

[Jump Pilot]

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