Hat issue makes it to the Media

[gobyebye]

What's with the guy who says it helps people recognize him in an evacuation. Really...your plane is on fire and you reach back and grab your hat before you go back and help get people off the plane?

 

[shootr]

You want to be professional- show up clear eyed, in shape, relaxed and sharp.

You guys with hats on and your gut hanging over your belt buckle...now THAT's professional looking!

 

[ualdriver]

At our airline, if you do not wear your hat while wearing an overcoat in the winter, there is no way to tell the difference between a pilot and a flight attendant.

 

[waka]

What's with the guy who says it helps people recognize him in an evacuation. Really...your plane is on fire and you reach back and grab your hat before you go back and help get people off the plane?

Didn't Sully and Skiles don their hats for the evacuation?

 

[Bringupthebird]

Skiles couldn't find his hat either?

 

[Newpilot2b]

Pilots have egos ? no way !

Hats were made part of the uniform when everyone wore a hat. Just look at some vintage film from the 40's and 50's. No one wears hats now, unless you need some shade. Today pilots wear hats because their company forces them or they need that little extra boost to their "hey look at me I'm pretty special" inner self valuation.

Time to stop wining about a made up issue that pilots and/or companies who choose to not wear them are somehow less professional. Times are indeed changing - in fact I will wager that soon in the future, if it hasn't already happened, wearing a hat will have the opposite effect than was originally intended from - professional aviator to - watch this guy, something's not right.

 

[chignutsak]

You guys with hats on and your gut hanging over your belt buckle...now THAT's professional looking!

You hatless guys with your gut hanging over your belt buckle...now THAT's professional looking!

 

[chignutsak]

It is hilarious that a bunch of guys who wear short-sleeve shirts and ties with polyester pants argue over who looks more professional.

 

[Pistonpilot]

It is hilarious that a bunch of guys who wear short-sleeve shirts and ties with polyester pants argue over who looks more professional.

That's the winner. Game over

 

[dogg]

Just a question...are not the hats to be removed when under roof in the military?

 

[Axel]

...Times are indeed changing...

Yes, they are. I wear the stupid hat, not because I like it, not because I need it and not because it inflates my ego.

I wear the stupid hat because when I accepted the job I accepted it with the knowledge that the stupid hat was part of the uniform, so in accepting the job I gave my word. I don't wear it because someone told me I have to; I wear it because I told someone I would.

Times are changing. Used to be that it was important for a man to keep his word.

 

[vetrider]

That's the winner. Game over

Agreed. That was funnier than hell, and true.

 

[jonjuan]

It is hilarious that a bunch of guys who wear short-sleeve shirts and ties with polyester pants argue over who looks more professional.

Don't forget the leather jacket and American flag tie. Lol...

 

[JohnDoe]

You want to be treated like an airline pilot? Start looking at acting like one.

"Treated" like an airline pilot? What does that mean and exactly what does it entail? A scene out of "Catch me if you can" or whatever that movie was called? Are you expecting women to get wet at the mere site of you or everyone to address you as "sir captain sir?" Get out of the past. Times change. The "treatment" as an airline pilot is long gone. It has been marginalized like everything else in this country, and it ain't coming back. NOTE: I am not saying one should look like a slob.

The hat is part of the fabric of tradition

Tradition? You mean like age 60? Or crew meals? Or mainline aircraft like the DC-9 being used to fly routes that are now flown by rj's and turboprops? Or.....on and on.

Do you really think "acting" like an airline pilot is going to change anything or get back 40% plus paycuts/pensions/contracts of the past etc. etc.? The public wants cheap fares just like they want their walmarts. Anything else is irrelevant to them.

Times change. The hat looks old, outdated, and ridiculous (especially indoors). Did you know that you no longer have to use a typewriter? There are these things called word-processing programs and computers now...

 

[Bjammin]

Yes, they are. I wear the stupid hat, not because I like it, not because I need it and not because it inflates my ego.

I wear the stupid hat because when I accepted the job I accepted it with the knowledge that the stupid hat was part of the uniform, so in accepting the job I gave my word. I don't wear it because someone told me I have to; I wear it because I told someone I would.

Times are changing. Used to be that it was important for a man to keep his word.

+1, Bravo

 

[IAHERJ]

"Treated" like an airline pilot? What does that mean and exactly what does it entail? A scene out of "Catch me if you can" or whatever that movie was called? Are you expecting women to get wet at the mere site of you or everyone to address you as "sir captain sir?" Get out of the past. Times change. The "treatment" as an airline pilot is long gone. It has been marginalized like everything else in this country, and it ain't coming back. NOTE: I am not saying one should look like a slob.



Tradition? You mean like age 60? Or crew meals? Or mainline aircraft like the DC-9 being used to fly routes that are now flown by rj's and turboprops? Or.....on and on.

Do you really think "acting" like an airline pilot is going to change anything or get back 40% plus paycuts/pensions/contracts of the past etc. etc.? The public wants cheap fares just like they want their walmarts. Anything else is irrelevant to them.

Times change. The hat looks old, outdated, and ridiculous (especially indoors). Did you know that you no longer have to use a typewriter? There are these things called word-processing programs and computers now...

Still have crew meals at CAL/UAL, still have 50 seat scope at CAL, and yes, we still wear the hat in the winter. Next?

 

[JohnDoe]

Still have crew meals at CAL/UAL, still have 50 seat scope at CAL, and yes, we still wear the hat in the winter. Next?

Cal has no 50 seat rj's flying for them? Really?

Hat only in the winter. Well that certainly is upholding the "fabric of tradition."


I still want to know what being "treated" like an airline pilot means and involves these days....

I'll start with a modern example: A certain mainline carrier has sent out "propaganda" packets to it's pilots trying to get them to pimp a credit card to their friends and family.... there's some "treatment" for 'ya.

And as somebody else said earlier, I wear my hat because the company requires it. Not out of some fantasy of a by-gone era that will never see the light of day again. If somebody needs a hat to "be professional," or feel like they are, well, that's their malfunction.

I once did some training with a guy that absolutely hated that they got rid of the hat requirement. Said it "demeaned" the profession; was taking away from it and made it easier for management to chip away at it or some nonsense like that. This same individual would not do much studying on his own because, according to him, it was the company's job to train him and teach him what he needed to know. So much for hats and professionalism...

 

[GogglesPisano]

I wear the stupid hat because when I accepted the job I accepted it with the knowledge that the stupid hat was part of the uniform, so in accepting the job I gave my word. I don't wear it because someone told me I have to; I wear it because I told someone I would.

Times are changing. Used to be that it was important for a man to keep his word.

If only management felt that way about pilot pensions.

 

[densoo]

If only management felt that way about pilot pensions.

Bingo.

 

[densoo]

Yes, they are. I wear the stupid hat, not because I like it, not because I need it and not because it inflates my ego.

I wear the stupid hat because when I accepted the job I accepted it with the knowledge that the stupid hat was part of the uniform, so in accepting the job I gave my word. I don't wear it because someone told me I have to; I wear it because I told someone I would.

Times are changing. Used to be that it was important for a man to keep his word.

Most everyone I fly with wears the hat because of what you say. A deal's a deal. But that doesn't prevent half the guys I fly with wanting to get rid of it, including me.

On your larger point of integrity. It's amazing how the company uses this against us. They know our nature is to follow guidelines and be disciplined. So while they can be as unethical as their MBAs allow, we are ethical. To them integrity is simply one of many tools to leverage against the employee.

Can you be cynical and have integrity at the same time?

 

[mesaserf]

Our pilots’ all black uniforms are functional yet hip,” said Virgin America spokesperson Abby Lunardini.

Hmmm. So I get to fly an A320 for crap wages and dress like a black jack dealer from Las Vegas?

I’m in!

 

[Captain Morgan]

For all of you who say that you shouldn't wear the hat indoors, how many of you actually take your favorite worn baseball cap off when you go into a store? Next excuse for not wearing it...

 

[Pistonpilot]

For all of you who say that you shouldn't wear the hat indoors, how many of you actually take your favorite worn baseball cap off when you go into a store? Next excuse for not wearing it...

I used to work as a bartender at a private club. There was an old-timer that practically lived at the place. He would take great umbrage to those that left their ball cap on. Made for some very uncomfortable moments. Good thing no pilots walked in.

Carry on fellas :beer:

 

[jonjuan]

For all of you who say that you shouldn't wear the hat indoors, how many of you actually take your favorite worn baseball cap off when you go into a store? Next excuse for not wearing it...

My kids are taught to take their hat off whenever indoors and to stop wearing a baseball hat after the age of 40 unless actually playing baseball or golf.

 

[anewunion]

Next thing you know, your cleaning the airplane with blue gloves on while wearing your hip new black uniform.

 

[Four Strings]

Know what is professional looking? 18 days a month off, 300k a year, ski boat full of teenage hookers. Add a house in Tahoe, condo in Hawaii, and one in domicile to hang my hat from. If wearing a jimmyhat on my head will get the above I will pull it on!
PBR

But it won't get you that. We've had hats for years and our earnings have failed to even keep up with inflation.

 

[ILUVURBANMYERS]

Ever notice that EVERY SINGLE photo of a Southwest pilot in uniform they sport a hat?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

My kids are taught to take their hat off whenever indoors and to stop wearing a baseball hat after the age of 40 unless actually playing baseball or golf.

You're scolding your kids to stop wearing a hat at 40?

Maybe wait until they're 40 and let them decide. Some may be bald and prefer to wear one out causally.

 

[Abernathy]

Ever notice that EVERY SINGLE photo of a Southwest pilot in uniform they sport a hat?

Ever notice how anyone who is gung-ho about keeping hats usually comes off as someone who has a small one? You can overcompensate all you want, but dressing up like a 4-star general before you walk onto your CRJ/Maddog/etc looks absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Regul8r]

I'd rather see all airline pilots have college degrees before we start debating whether or not a hat "makes" a professional.