How to Earn Respect as an Airline Pilot

[FurloughedAgain]

If your ops manual says the hat is part of the uniform requirement... and you ignore THAT... what other parts are you ignoring?

Professionalism: A profession is an occupation, vocation or career where specialized knowledge of a subject, field, or science is applied. It is usually applied to occupations that involve prolonged academic training and a formal qualification. Professions are usually regulated by professional bodies that may require examinations of competence, act as a licensinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licensure authority for practitioners, and enforce adherence to an ethical code of practice.

 

[PCL_128]

From other threads it is obvious that getting rid of the hat at FL is more important than raising the bar for all of us in this profession...

Watch it, Rez! You know I'm on your side about the hat, but the above quote is BS. We've sent two TAs to the shredder that had our 717 CAs getting paid more than your widebody Captains. Whatever some people at FL think about the hat, I think we've proven that we're going to the mat to raise the bar this time around.

 

[rudder]

If you want to be treated like a professional you have to look like one. Mgmnt would love to have us all look more like bus drivers so that they can justify treating us like bus drivers and paying us like bus drivers. When I am at work it is not an audition for an extra role in 'Top Gun'. I am glad that my airline has no leather jacket option and year round hat requirements.

On the plane, in the terminal, on the hotel shuttle - everybody recognises who the pilots are. Anything that we do to diminish that image just adds fuel to the further denigration of a once proud profession. Wear the hat - use the cleaning allowance that the company provides to actually clean your uniform - put the IPOD away - and take off those ridiculous sunglasses unless you are in the flight deck where no one can see you!

If pilots cannot treat their own appearance with respect then why should anyone else?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Watch it, Rez! You know I'm on your side about the hat, but the above quote is BS. We've sent two TAs to the shredder that had our 717 CAs getting paid more than your widebody Captains. Whatever some people at FL think about the hat, I think we've proven that we're going to the mat to raise the bar this time around.

copy.... clarification....

my reference was to FL posters on FI that keep talking about the getting rid of the hat when CBA improvements were discussed...

now go put your yoke back on....

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

wearing a hat doesn't make you a professional. flying the airplane like a pro is what makes you a professional.

Mookie

it does not matter what you or me or we think about how you fly the jet....

it doesn't matter what the check airman thinks.... they don't negotiate or write the amount of your paycheck....

what matters is the perceived value of an air line pilot.

I am sure you want the benefits, but it seems you are lacking the responsibilty....

Profressionals serve.

 

[Mr Hat]

The initial post here is the best one I've read in a long time. Recently I have taken steps to make sure I look a little more professional at work. Hats are optional at my airline but I wear mine even though it makes FO's think your that anal guy.

Whats next, we get rid of hats....start wearing leather jackets....maybe next we get rid of ties...I mean who really likes to be strangled all day. Then those pesky epulets, it's silly. Before you know it we are flying around wearing polo shirts that say "pilot" and "co-pilot" and wearing advertising buttons. Glorified TGIFridays employee's of the sky. Your chief pilot might stop you in the terminal to yell at you for not having enough "flair"! You want to be treated and compensated like the airline pilots of old? You want to "Take it back"? Then dress like it. Never let them take that image away, even if it seems more convienent sometimes.

 

[Bigoober]

Great post here.

Tired of the pay me like a professional but let me look as casual as possible, and yes, airline pilots used to be looked up to- just maybe not "God-like".

 

[CA1900]

And of course there are other groups that don't wear hats: FAs. If you want to look like a light loafer trying to non rev to SFO.... go for it...

So... any pilot who wears a striped jacket without a hat looks like a gay FA? Nice...

 

[instructordude]

Great post and advice I live by. I believe in a #7 rule too.

7) You must correct those who are not living by these standards. Not tommorow or next week but on the spot correction.

If you see someone bitchin about the company, kindly take them aside and remind them whose name is printed on their paycheck.

If someone is not wearing the hat go to your union standards office and report them. If you see it twice, report them to your chief pilot.

If somebody is fat, invite them to the gym with you. If they say no, call it like it is, "Heh, you like Jabba lets go get on the treadmill". Just make sure nobody is around on this one, so it is your word against his/hers.

Take pride in yourself, your company and the public paying your rent!

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I've been meaning to say something to you about that CA1900...

Was gonna talk to you about it next time we're sharing a fruity drink with an umbrella but since you brought it up...

 

[Prog 2/2]

So look the part, play the part and earn the respect of your passengers, (who cares if they are from the trailer park- their money is just as green) and when it comes time to renegotiate that new contract, maybe management will respect you that much more.

Well said.

 

[rudder]

Whats next, we get rid of hats....start wearing leather jackets....maybe next we get rid of ties...I mean who really likes to be strangled all day. Then those pesky epulets, it's silly. Before you know it we are flying around wearing polo shirts that say "pilot" and "co-pilot" and wearing advertising buttons.

If you want a preview of how bad it could get just look at the 'uniform' of the VA pilots. It represents a new low in homogenizing pilots with flight attendants and check-in staff. I do not blame the VA pilots - they did not pick the uniform. But grow some cajones and tell them to treat you like professionals.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Well hell -- we at JB have:

1) No hats
2) No contract
3) Blue shirts (gloves)


Something is rotten in Denmark.

 

[ATRCA]

I earn INSTANT respect whenever I am greeting customers as they enter the plane.Here's a video of me and my first officer!! Works every time!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8NOxoZ3rZc

Holy $hit.....that was awsome! Good find.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

It all starts with self respect...

 

[Occam's Razor]

How bout a big "I don't get sarcasm" balloon floating over your head? You got one of those?

Yes, I do. I have a button for you, too. It says, "I don't read entire posts! Just the parts without question marks"

Really? <-- I'll put it red next time so you don't miss it!

:laugh:

 

[gutshotdraw]

Great post and advice I live by. I believe in a #7 rule too.

7) You must correct those who are not living by these standards. Not tommorow or next week but on the spot correction.

If you see someone bitchin about the company, kindly take them aside and remind them whose name is printed on their paycheck.

If someone is not wearing the hat go to your union standards office and report them. If you see it twice, report them to your chief pilot.

If somebody is fat, invite them to the gym with you. If they say no, call it like it is, "Heh, you like Jabba lets go get on the treadmill". Just make sure nobody is around on this one, so it is your word against his/hers.

Take pride in yourself, your company and the public paying your rent!

Yeah, that's real professional. "If you don't wear your hat, I'm going to tell the Chief Pilot on you! Nyah, nyah." Grow up.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Don't feed the trolls.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Well hell -- we at JB have:

1) No hats
2) No contract
3) Blue shirts (gloves)

No scruples.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

No scruples.

I was gonna respond, but then I read this from another forum:

You go to work for VA and you'd better move to SFO. There are more and more Captains who will not extend jumpseat privileges to non-Union pilots who work for companies who undercut Union contracts.

Reeeeeeeeeely ...

 

[spacecadet1]

1. Wear your uniform proudly, even if you don't like
your company. This includes the uniform hat if
required.

2. Don't talk badly about your company in the
public, if you like to complain, do it in private!

3. When people ask is your job easy respond with a
"no" and inform them it takes years of training.
Let them know you ARE responsible for their lives
when they are on board your flight.

4. Take a look at pictures from the 1970's of what
airline pilots looked like. This is what we should
be emulating.

5. Don't sit at the gate and yawn in public. If you
are tired stay in the crew room and rest until
your flight.

6. Try not to become a fat slob. Stay in shape and
look the part of a professional!

I know some will respond with hate for the statements above, but this is why I always viewed the airline pilots I saw as Gods. The Pan Am Clipper pilots taxiing their brand new 747s into the gates at JFK, absolutely awesome. We are the ones that make our jobs seem insignificant to the public. Don't let this happen, that is why they don't respect us.

Earn the respect of the pulblic and you will also earn the respect of management!

Excellent post. I need to go out and get a new pair
of shoes (seriously). Tommorrow, I promise.

 

[Frank Lorenzo]

Pilots will never earn respect in this profession ever again.

You have to admit, me and my fellow airline executives have done a fantastic job wearing you guys down and pitting you againsed one another.

We now have you.....

1. Wearing tacky polyester uniforms, or no "uniform" at all (witness VA pilots). We let you walk around the terminal with your backpack on and your Ipod plugged in your ears. This helps condition the public to know that there is basically nothing special about pilots at all. Just a bunch of average schmoes.

2. Forming splinter unions and selling out select groups in your seniority lists. "It's all about me." I think it is ironic that my personal motto has been adopted by every pilot in the US. Thankfully this helps us in so many ways. Contract talks, furloughs, bankruptcy....you name it. When the chips are down, pilots now revert to "me mode" and will absolutely screw any and every other pilot in their path to make sure that thier "career expectations" are not harmed. I'm so proud of you all! B-scale anyone?

3. Working for 1970 wages. We have discovered that even whispering the word "bankruptcy" in a room will cause even the heartiest of pilots to wet their pants and go home crying for mommy. It's the ultimate weapon. We have made incredible strides in control over the past few years. Unbelieveably this has even caused many pilots to become advocates of sub par contracts and concessions. This is obviously my favorite trait of pilots as it has allowed the airline executives to reap the 8 figure bonuses they so richly deserve.

4. Flying unairworthy junk. Outsourcing maintenance has funneled millions into the executive suite. Again, my thanks. I like the way you guys are so "mission oriented." Gotta get the job done. Fly the plane, no matter how crappy the condition of the plane. Gotta get there. Can't cancel, or you lose out on pay. Outstanding.

5. Letting kids fresh out of college take over your 100 seat jet flying. This is a double whammy windfall for us exeutives. Not only do we reap the cheap labor, but we have another pilot group to whipsaw againsed the other.

You know, I could go on all night listing the free (dirty) work the pilots have done for us executives. I have to stop though, as I am getting all misty eyed......

 

[CA1900]

Frank, I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

You crack me up! :beer:



Now, would you like a Coke? I know, I know... in the unopened can.

 

[PurpleInMEM]

Yawn.

More drivel from the 'flying is a religion' crowd.

 

[Erlanger]

Earn the respect of the pulblic and you will also earn the respect of management!

Not sure that I agree with this. Respect from management in what way?

 

[Captain Morgan]

Yawn.

More drivel from the 'flying is a religion' crowd.

And,... More drivel from the "has no business in aviation" crowd. :smash:

 

[slinky]

Well said (the origional post, not some of the ass clow stuff that followed)

 

[andyd]

Ty
And of course there are other groups that don't wear hats: FAs. If you want to look like a light loafer trying to non rev to SFO.... go for it... Also... look like a FA, get paid like an FA.

Rez.....I had respect for you and your opinions up until now, now you are just like any other conservative azzhole that will sink to bashing one group to prove a point to another. It's 2008 and it's still ok to bash gay people or assume that male flight attendants are gay and just tripping over themselves to non-rev to SFO. I wonder what you secretly think about women or black pilots but never say outloud?

 

[Fubijaakr]

FrankLorenzo pretty much said it all. Until we're willing to get a grip on ourselves and stop treating Skybus, VA, B6 pilots as "equals" we're doomed to descend to their levels.

 

[whatitdoing?]

CAL73ca.....are you just being an arse or what? "I'm disappointed with these young FO's I've been flying with"?? What? Like you've never seen a Captain walk by with his shirt out, gut out, yellow stains on shirt, white stains on pants, Maverick sunglasses............BUT WITH A FREAKING GOD DAMN HAT BY GOD!!!! Man, that was a close one. If he hadn't of had the damn hat on, it would of stood out!! So why don't you just say pilots? Also, I can't tell you how many times I've flown with guys that literally can't pull back on the yoke all the way because their guts get in the way. The ratio seems to be towards the left seat...........