Leather or no?

[mavdog]

I'm starting new-hire class with Horizon this week and was wondering if any current pilots suggest getting the leather jacket or just getting the traditional coat with the rain coat. Thanks for any input.

 

[RCA]

leather kept me warm this winter, and you can wear it on the layover

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Even UAL is going leather. DAL with double breasted leather jackets in ATL?


The blazer with three/four stripes on the sleeve looks most professional.

The leather jacket looks sharp and is most practical. During this part of the year, the blazer is best for the temps. Leather jacket can be too hot.

Finally, the blazer is needed for picketing and funerals.

If money is not a concern, get both. If you decide on the leather, check order times. Pilots have ordered in Sept/Oct only to have delivery in late Dec or Jan. Burrrr

 

[flyer172r]

leather kept me warm this winter, and you can wear it on the layover

You can wear the overcoat on the overnight, it just looks kinda weird.

 

[N5139]

Finally, the blazer is needed for... funerals.

Is this common practice? Never heard of it outside of military/law enforcement.

J.

 

[RadioClash]

Get the leather one, if possible get both.

Reasons to go with leather:

1. If you have the blazer and it is winter you have to pack a coat or warm clothes for a layover, if you are flying a 4 day and it is winter your bag will be stuffed.

2. On the blazer, the wings, at least in my experience, tend to lose their backings, usually at the beginning of a trip, so you will walk around with your wings halfway hanging off. Looks kind of dumb. Why do they lose the backings you ask? Well the backings on the wings on your coat tend to get caught on the wings on your shirt and will either fall off while walking, when you have to take it off for the TSA pilot harassment, or when you take it off while getting in the cockpit.
Having said that my blazer at my current company has a little flap that protects the wing backings which keeps them from coming off. Nice.

I think the leather jacket is much more versatile for the layovers but the blazer is much more professional looking.

Also at my current airline we have to wear our coats until May 1. F#&! me but it is friggin hot in the ATL by mid April so the blazer is a better option than the leather in ATL.

If you can afford it get both, if not get the leather. Clear as mud?

Good luck

 

[zawillif]

Depends on if you wear the hat or not. If you wear the hat, go with the blazer. If you don't, go with the leather.

 

[waterski]

I dont like Leather. ......just my 2 cents

 

[RCA]

hey radiclash thanks for solving my why do my wings fall of problem? I was unable to fiqure out why that happened.

 

[Stuka Luva]

Great, another leather coat thread


Anyway, those leather jackets look like sh*t.

If you're gonna wear one of those B-17 wannabe jackets make sure not to wear a hat, but wear your Bono-style sunglasses and backpack through the terminal. It really shows off your highlights. You're cool.


BTW @ Waterski...nice avatar

 

[mavdog]

Thanks for all the input guys... if I can swing it, I'll probably get both.

 

[DrProc]

2. On the blazer, the wings, at least in my experience, tend to lose their backings, usually at the beginning of a trip, so you will walk around with your wings halfway hanging off. Looks kind of dumb. Why do they lose the backings you ask? Well the backings on the wings on your coat tend to get caught on the wings on your shirt and will either fall off while walking, when you have to take it off for the TSA pilot harassment, or when you take it off while getting in the cockpit.
Having said that my blazer at my current company has a little flap that protects the wing backings which keeps them from coming off. Nice.

Use a piece of duct tape to hold on the backings. I did it and I didn't lose a backing all winter. Its just one more use for the greatest invention of all time.

 

[sweptback]

Use a piece of duct tape to hold on the backings. I did it and I didn't lose a backing all winter. Its just one more use for the greatest invention of all time.

Better yet, ditch the little backings altogether and use little chunks of glue sticks from hot glue guns instead. It's one of those things that you don't think will work until you try it.

 

[regionaltard]

Better yet, ditch the little backings altogether and use little chunks of glue sticks from hot glue guns instead. It's one of those things that you don't think will work until you try it.

If you do your own ski base repair, Ptex works good too. If you've got any left over after firebombing the ants in your shop that is.........

 

[Rank&File]

Is this common practice? Never heard of it outside of military/law enforcement.

J.

Yes. Full uniform with blazer and hats at funerals is commonplace at airlines.

 

[indianboy7]

Better yet, ditch the little backings altogether and use little chunks of glue sticks from hot glue guns instead. It's one of those things that you don't think will work until you try it.

compressed earplugs work well too........

 

[ReverseSensing]

mavdog:

Check your PM's.

 

[blueridge71]

Anyway, those leather jackets look like sh*t.

The Independence jacket looked cooler than any other airline jacket that I've seen. Yes, the normal jacket that every airline wears looks cheesy, but it is still better than the flasher coat.

Go with the leather jacket. I highly recommend the removable Gore-tex liner.

Later on, buy a blazer if you want. They do come in handly in warmer weather when you have to wear a jacket, but leather is too much.

 

[AWACO]

Yes wear the leather while walking the flight line to your P-51....it is 1944 isn't it?

 

[n25na]

Yes wear the leather while walking the flight line to your P-51....it is 1944 isn't it?

couldn't agree more. i didn't realize we were all being scrambled to our b-17's to go bomb berlin. don't forget your silk scarf too. the crew chief has got your engines warmed up and we're ready for our next sortie to KPSC. godspeed.