No More Hats at ExpressJet

[Prop Trash]

In keeping up with modern times, ExpressJet pilots no longer have to wear hats with the winter uniform. How nice.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

from another board..

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica]Crews,

The hat issue may present itself very shortly with the change over to FLYi. Possible poll on acaway for the pilots may decide whether or not we continue to wear them. Until that time comes let’s hash it out so some of you will be educated before you exercise democracy.

I have debated the hat issue online and in the crewrooms and the best argument I get for dumping the hats is “I don’t like it.” It is uncomfortable. Well, the hat isn’t a safety issue and judging by tradition and the numbers of carriers that do wear hats, the hats don’t promote a negative image.

In fact that is what it really comes down to isn’t it? Image. What does the traveling public, our paycheck providers, think of us? What do they have to go by? Simulator sessions?, reputation? or inflight observations of our cockpit performance? No, no and hell no!

Our passengers only have appearance and behavior. How do you want to be perceived? The latest issue of AOPA Pilot discusses the next generation jets. (January ’04 p. 89) Small single pilot sky cabs. Sky Cabs you say? Yes, little taxi cab jets flying around point to point. Do you think these pilots will be the high standard of safe jet travel?

There is only one type of pilot that wears a hat. When I finally was hired by a reputable airline, I was proud to get my hat, because that meant I was a Line Pilot. My first Capts’. hat is still proudly displayed in my home office. I don’t want to be clumped together with corporate pilots, 135 pilots or especially Sky Cab taxi pilots. I want to be known as an Airline Pilot, who happens to be the safest, most professional group of aviators in the world.

Is the hat a nuisance? Bothersome? A pain? For some of you, of course, it is. But so are 0530 shows, type rides, and neck ties. Why do we put up with them? This in part is what being professional is all about; enduring the nuisances for the greater good of the public. Making the personal sacrifices to provide high standard medical care or jet travel or whatever your professional occupation may be.

After we get rid of the hats, what is next? Neck ties? White dress shirts? Are golf shirts ok? Sneakers? What about hair styles? How about sweat pants, I mean it’s all about being comfortable….right?

Do we need to wear hats to be professional? Probably not. However, we do need them to look professional in the eyes of the traveling public? What is our professional indicator and how will the public know? Are we professional if the public thinks we aren’t? We may just find out…

Let's debate baby![/font]

 

[Standby 1]

In keeping up with modern times, ExpressJet pilots no longer have to wear hats with the winter uniform. How nice.

Okay, I just saw the FIL. Got a laugh over the new wings being mandatory, with the FIL stating the new wings and hat brass being suspended.



....

 

[SharkBait]

Hear Hear!!


I agree completely Rez.

 

[SkylerS]

Rez,

outstanding arguments for the hat. I fully agree.

--Sky

 

[Sphincter Boy]

Piss on that hat

 

[Vortilon]

Rez,

Right on the money. If you want to be 'comfortable', there are plenty of 9-5 jobs available with casual Fridays.

I worked hard for the privilege to wear my hat & polyester and look forward to the chance to wear it again someday. The charter company I work for has a uniform (no hat though) and we get many compliments on it from passengers and FBO workers. A crisp, clean appearance is noticed by more than you think.

I really miss my Delta uniform....basically hasn't changed in over 70 years and I love that.

 

[nimtz]

Thank you Flight Ops for having sanity! I'm as much for tradition as anybody in this profession, but I'm overjoyed to see this thing go. I've seen plenty of guys who might have the hat on, but have the rest of their uniform be disgraceful. Bottom line is if you took a poll of every line pilot out there as to this issue I guarentee you it would come back overwhelmingly in favor of no hat.

Whether or not I have that dogsh!t sweat factory on my head does not take away from professionalism. In fact I blame the d@mn hat for giving me a recent break of zits worthy of a sex crazied teenager (as compared to the sex crazied adult I am today). Now I can finally wear some product in my hair when I go to work. You want to look professional, dry clean your uniform and replace it when colors fade and stains set.

Before you traditionalist flame Xjet why don't you ask the Northwest guys about this issue cause we would not of gotten this if not for that group getting the policy. Although this could be a management trick to make us vote yes on the contract. Either way for you guys looking for a potential regional this puts XJet a step above everybody else.

Please note I'm f*cking around....

 

[utahpilot]

My newhire packet at SkyWest lists the hat as 'optional'

 

[Prop Trash]

Before you traditionalist flame Xjet why don't you ask the Northwest guys about this issue cause we would not of gotten this if not for that group getting the policy.

Northwest pilots don't have to wear hats? I didn't know that. Aren't hats optional at Southwest, American, and Jet Blue?

 

[Floyd94]

The hats were a joke as are our pay scales... good riddance.

Personaly I think we look more professional without them.

 

[CRJDog]

Northwest pilots don't have to wear hats? I didn't know that. Aren't hats optional at Southwest, American, and Jet Blue?

First off I completely agree with Rez about this issue. I could not have said it better myself.

As for AA, they had a vote to lose the hats and won but the CP said,"Hell no."
I look at it this way, For those of you that feel the hat would serve a better purpose like cleaning your toilet I say this:

When you pursued a career as an airline pilot wasn't the hat a requirement? You knew that a hat was involved there somewhere right?

If you don't want to wear the hat then why don't you quit your job. There are thousands of airline pilots out there on the street that would love to be wearing that hat right now.

 

[DirkkDiggler]

When you pursued a career as an airline pilot wasn't the hat a requirement? You knew that a hat was involved there somewhere right?

If you don't want to wear the hat then why don't you quit your job. There are thousands of airline pilots out there on the street that would love to be wearing that hat right now.

Fukc'n A

 

[Drifter]

Fućk the hat. You guys are nuts.

 

[Rank&File]

Oh no! This has turned into another "hat thread."

 

[nimtz]

I look at it this way, For those of you that feel the hat would serve a better purpose like cleaning your toilet I say this:

When you pursued a career as an airline pilot wasn't the hat a requirement? You knew that a hat was involved there somewhere right?

If you don't want to wear the hat then why don't you quit your job. There are thousands of airline pilots out there on the street that would love to be wearing that hat right now.

You know we shouldn't of even brought this up cause for reasons unknown to me people get EMOTIONAL about the hat issue. All right I'll resign first thing on Monday morning and donate my hat to a local strip club. The hat is a requirement to the profession! Unfrickingbelieveable...

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Hey,
From Websters:
Main Entry: 1pro·fes·sion·al
Pronunciation: pr&-'fesh-n&l, -'fe-sh&-n&l
Function: adjective
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>
3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot>
- pro·fes·sion·al·ly adverb
I tried reading between the lines but saw no reference to hats, the closest was "generally businesslike manner". I see more application to our condition as 2 sub, (a).
Whatever, you hat fans can keep them on when spanking the monkey, and watching in the mirror, probably the same ones who walk around the airport in uniform on their days off.
PBR

 

[FSB99]

the only good thing about the hat is, keeps my head warm in the winter up north! guess i'll start wearing my bright orange and blue chicago bears stocking cap, with the puffy tassle on top again.

 

[want2fly]

When do you all vote on that TA?

 

[upndsky]

The only good thing about the hat is that it hides my headset hair. After six legs, I look like Alfalfa from "The Little Rascals." So in the spirit of looking professional, it looks like I'm going to have to keep wearing mine.

 

[CRJDog]

Hey,
From Websters:
Main Entry: 1pro·fes·sion·al
Pronunciation: pr&-'fesh-n&l, -'fe-sh&-n&l
Function: adjective
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>
3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot>
- pro·fes·sion·al·ly adverb
I tried reading between the lines but saw no reference to hats, the closest was "generally businesslike manner". I see more application to our condition as 2 sub, (a).
Whatever, you hat fans can keep them on when spanking the monkey, and watching in the mirror, probably the same ones who walk around the airport in uniform on their days off.
PBR

Hey from websters,

Main Entry: jack·ass
Pronunciation: 'jak-"as
Function: noun
1 : DONKEY; especially : a male donkey
2 : a stupid person : FOOL
3 : PBRStreetgang

The hat is part of the uniform. Just in case you did not know junior the airline pilot uniform originated from the naval officer uniform. So I guess our brothers and sisters in arms whack-off and go to the airport in their uniform right?

The issue here is not professionalism jerkoff. The issue is that not too long ago the hat was part of the traditional airline pilot uniform which was required by all airlines. When someone applied to these jobs they knew that in the public eye the hat was required to be worn. Now in these more relaxed times airlines are allowing the hat to be optional or don't even have the hat as part of the required uniform. If that is the case then so be it. If you don't wear the hat or do not have one that is fine but don't sit here and mock the ones that feel the hat has more meaning than just an object you put on your head. Besides, your woman loves to wear my hat while she plays with my thrust lever.

 

[Peanut gallery]

Hats?

The hat thing can be a long winded debate. Bottom line for me is if you are flying a plane with no place to put a hat then enough said. I do however think the traveling public only gives respect to those that appear worthy. The perception of customers can not be discounted without some negative impact.
The one that gets me is the guy who carries his hat around with him, what does that look like to the public. You are obviously supposed to have it, but refuse to wear it. What else are you not doing that you are supposed to? If you do not want to wear it leave it home.

 

[FlyChicaga]

Optional.

op·tion·al

adj.

Left to choice; not compulsory or automatic.

optional

\Op"tion*al\, a. Involving an option; depending on the exercise of an option; left to one's discretion or choice; not compulsory; as, optional studies; it is optional with you to go or stay. -- n. See Elective, n.

optional

adj : possible but not necessary; left to personal choice [ant: obligatory]


-----

So... if you want to wear it, then wear it! If not, then don't! Simple.

There are plenty of other issues more pertinent to the long-term viability of this career than a hat. If everyone got as emotional about cabotage, job security, securing pensions, maintaining pay scales and benefits, and outsourcing as they do about hats, we'd be much better off.

 

[I.P. Freley]

When you pursued a career as an airline pilot wasn't the hat a requirement? You knew that a hat was involved there somewhere right?

So let me get this straight... If the company you work for does NOT require the hat, then you should wear it anyway? Because when you were a kid all pilots you saw wore hats and you knew you'd have to wear one someday when you started flying?

 

[CRJDog]

So let me get this straight... If the company you work for does NOT require the hat, then you should wear it anyway? Because when you were a kid all pilots you saw wore hats and you knew you'd have to wear one someday when you started flying?

Negative. Read my response to streetd!ck.

 

[I.P. Freley]

Negative. Read my response to streetd!ck.

Sorry, I see now that the thread has two pages.

 

[Axel]

Oh no! This has turned into another "hat thread."

It started out as a hat thread, dork.

 

[Propsync]

Geez, now you will all look like flight attendants. Make sure you bring me a meal for that jumpseat, FA's. I'll take the hat, thank you. Why are the standards in this industry so hard to follow?

 

[I.P. Freley]

Why are the standards in this industry so hard to follow?

Maybe because not everybody HAS the same standard. Just because you have a stiffie about your hat doesn't mean the guy you pass in the terminal has a company policy requiring it.

 

[nimtz]

Bottom line for me is if you are flying a plane with no place to put a hat then enough said. I do however think the traveling public only gives respect to those that appear worthy. The perception of customers can not be discounted without some negative impact.

Continental has long had hats optional for summer domestic uniform which covers the half of the year when most people are flying. That factor has not seemed to have had any affect on customer perception of the airline over the years. I really think in the day and age of 99 buck transcons the public does not give a rats @ss whether or not there is a hat on the pilot's head.

I happen to think Jetblue guys look very sharp in their non hat, non-white shirt assemble. Look good in a clean uniform and get them there on time and safe and they might fly you again if the airline offers a good cheap ticket. This ain't the 1930's and we are not Clipper Captains.

I do have to say I think this is the first thread ever where PBR, IP, and myself are on the same side.