Old Geezer

[CaptBud330]

I suppose I'm showing my age and I've past the point of trying to understand, but when I was hired, it was a dream come true. I felt pride in wearing the uniform. I suppose it goes back to the days of fine dining at the Newarker Restaurant at the Newark airport, when men and woman dressed in their finest and bags had to be weighed. And I looked in awe at the pilots wearing their freshly pressed uniforms.
Now I was that pilot and oh so proud. I carried that sense of pride throughout my career. The uniform was symbol of accomplishment.
I gradually saw a change. It was subtle at first. Unshined shoes, ties that were worn loosly with the top button unbuttoned. You all know what I'm rambling about. Ah, another senior moment.
Now with no hats, ties optional and leather jackets, I just wonder where the pride went. Flight kits held together with duct tape with decorative stickers on them seems so unprofessional. I saw in my last months flying the line a sticker on a flight bag that said "The anus is an exit, not an entrance". I wonder what the family walking behind this professional thought and how they explained it to their children heading to Wally World.
I suppose it's a sign of the times though. We live in a more casual society. No longer do passengers wear ties and jackets. Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are the garb of the day in the airplane. We can't change the passengers but we do have control of our own appearance. Do we want to command the respect we so richly deserve? We better cinch up the tie, shine the shoes, put on a clean pressed shirt, and proudly wear the hat. You earned it.

 

[Ben Franklin]

I suppose I'm showing my age and I've past the point of trying to understand, but when I was hired, it was a dream come true. I felt pride in wearing the uniform. I suppose it goes back to the days of fine dining at the Newarker Restaurant at the Newark airport, when men and woman dressed in their finest and bags had to be weighed. And I looked in awe at the pilots wearing their freshly pressed uniforms.
Now I was that pilot and oh so proud. I carried that sense of pride throughout my career. The uniform was symbol of accomplishment.
I gradually saw a change. It was subtle at first. Unshined shoes, ties that were worn loosly with the top button unbuttoned. You all know what I'm rambling about. Ah, another senior moment.
Now with no hats, ties optional and leather jackets, I just wonder where the pride went. Flight kits held together with duct tape with decorative stickers on them seems so unprofessional. I saw in my last months flying the line a sticker on a flight bag that said "The anus is an exit, not an entrance". I wonder what the family walking behind this professional thought and how they explained it to their children heading to Wally World.
I suppose it's a sign of the times though. We live in a more casual society. No longer do passengers wear ties and jackets. Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are the garb of the day in the airplane. We can't change the passengers but we do have control of our own appearance. Do we want to command the respect we so richly deserve? We better cinch up the tie, shine the shoes, put on a clean pressed shirt, and proudly wear the hat. You earned it.

Your generation lacks true leaders. There is no example being set or enforced for the up-and-comers. It's an every man for himself, free market world you and your generation have created. Don't blame me.


Sincerely,

B. Franklin

 

[BigShotXJTdrvr]

So I guess professionalism has followed the same curve as career expectations, pay, work rules, and retirement. Imagine that.

Had a 10 year old kid come up to the cockpit once, thought he wanted to sit at the controls, look at the screens, ask questions etc... Nope, he wanted to know what our route distance was for his records so he could audit his frequent flyer miles against the airline's numbers, and complain if they tried to screw him. I would say we're going to have to look real hard to find any more "awe" in the future.

 

[b747dogg]

Yawn.

How many Pan Am pilots does it take to change a light bulb?

Four. One to change the light bulb and three to reminisce about how good the old light bulb was.

 

[vetrider]

Ole Captain Bud has a lot of good points in there, I believe we would all be doing ourselves a favor to give his words due consideration at the very least.

Yeah, we all know what has happened to our careers the last few decades, and the last few years especially. There will come a time when the pendulem will start moving the other direction, and when that time comes will we have any credibility if we look like a bunch of slobs with bad attitudes?

I still remember a fifth grade teacher who told us that when we where out in public that we represented our families. He was a good man, Mr. Fountain.

We really should stop and reevaluate things every now and then. Thanks Captain Bud.

 

[737 Pylt]

I suppose I'm showing my age and I've past the point of trying to understand, but when I was hired, it was a dream come true. I felt pride in wearing the uniform. I suppose it goes back to the days of fine dining at the Newarker Restaurant at the Newark airport, when men and woman dressed in their finest and bags had to be weighed. And I looked in awe at the pilots wearing their freshly pressed uniforms.
Now I was that pilot and oh so proud. I carried that sense of pride throughout my career. The uniform was symbol of accomplishment.
I gradually saw a change. It was subtle at first. Unshined shoes, ties that were worn loosly with the top button unbuttoned. You all know what I'm rambling about. Ah, another senior moment.
Now with no hats, ties optional and leather jackets, I just wonder where the pride went. Flight kits held together with duct tape with decorative stickers on them seems so unprofessional. I saw in my last months flying the line a sticker on a flight bag that said "The anus is an exit, not an entrance". I wonder what the family walking behind this professional thought and how they explained it to their children heading to Wally World.
I suppose it's a sign of the times though. We live in a more casual society. No longer do passengers wear ties and jackets. Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are the garb of the day in the airplane. We can't change the passengers but we do have control of our own appearance. Do we want to command the respect we so richly deserve? We better cinch up the tie, shine the shoes, put on a clean pressed shirt, and proudly wear the hat. You earned it.

Just wondering capt bud.....Are you the same group that created the "B" scale? The "C" scale?? That took their pension and ran? How about that didn't keep in line with "hiring/furlough stats?" Wasn't your age group the same one that pulled up the ladder right after you got yours?
Did you ever fly open time while there were junior guys on the street? Or did you even contribute towards your younger generations "cobra" benefits!
It's real easy to sit behind the keyboard and point fingers.....SEE!

737

 

[sclark161]

Captbud,

Are you a former Mohawk guy? I tried sending you a pm, but it wouldn't take. My dad's a '61 Mohawk hire, 2001 usair retiree....Jerry Clark. Do you know him? I'm with SW now, so i'm a little biased with the leather jackets

Take care,
-scott

 

[Captain Overs]

You want to blame someone look in the mirror. When you stop accepting sub par wages and work rules then you can truly fight for the profession. Until then quit whinning.

 

[scoreboard]

.
Now with no hats, ties optional and leather jackets, I just wonder where the pride went. Flight kits held together with duct tape with decorative stickers on them seems so unprofessional. I suppose it's a sign of the times though. We live in a more casual society. No longer do passengers wear ties and jackets. Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are the garb of the day in the airplane. We can't change the passengers but we do have control of our own appearance. Do we want to command the respect we so richly deserve? We better cinch up the tie, shine the shoes, put on a clean pressed shirt, and proudly wear the hat. You earned it.

Gramps, you guys set this industry up for failure, you reap what you sow, thanks for getting yours and leaving us your mess to clean up. Enjoy your lifestyle, all who followed are making a living at a job, not a profession.

 

[iflyhigh72]

The people talking smack are the same ones he's talking about. They're the nasty ones who wear the same shirt for a 4 day trip and never iron it. By the time they're done flying, the shirt pretty much jumps off their nasty crusty body unassisted. I once saw a Captain for a Major Airline wearing black high top sneakers with his uniform. I almost smacked him with a large trout. Show some respect for the job you do. The bags kept together with tape is an everyday occurence. Stop blaming Capt. Bud. Clean your nasty azz up instead of looking like Captain/FO Homey the Clown. By the way, Im 34, not an old timer.

That is all.

 

[vetteracer]

Your generation lacks true leaders. There is no example being set or enforced for the up-and-comers. It's an every man for himself, free market world you and your generation have created. Don't blame me.

Sincerely,

B. Franklin

I SECOND THAT. Thank you "ME GENERATION"

I firmly believe in dressing nice, shined shoes, etc. Not to just fill out a uniform (if I wore one) but as a matter of class.

Mark

 

[MMO 0.705]

when starting pay is more than 17000 a year I will give a sh!!t. When I fly charter, I care how I look. But, at the airline, I couldnt even afford to eat let alone buy a nice pair of shoes or get enough sleep to look like a professional

 

[Pantherpilot]

I am fellow regional pilot and I have holes in my jeans that I can't even afford to patch. I wear velcro shoes to work beacause they are practical, not just for looks. I use an ipod to block all the PA noise in the terminal, and I use a camelback water cooler system to quench my thirst between flights. And Yes I have a high school back pack for my personal trip kit. I know that I do not represent the image of the "ideal pilot" making $250,000/year like in the good ole' days, but I'm not-I'm am an underpaid ($19/hr) F/O flying for a wannabe airline thats just trying to pay his cellphone bill. But hey, thanks for the input.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

I suppose I'm showing my age and I've past the point of trying to understand, but when I was hired, it was a dream come true. I felt pride in wearing the uniform. I suppose it goes back to the days of fine dining at the Newarker Restaurant at the Newark airport, when men and woman dressed in their finest and bags had to be weighed. And I looked in awe at the pilots wearing their freshly pressed uniforms.
Now I was that pilot and oh so proud. I carried that sense of pride throughout my career. The uniform was symbol of accomplishment.
I gradually saw a change. It was subtle at first. Unshined shoes, ties that were worn loosly with the top button unbuttoned. You all know what I'm rambling about. Ah, another senior moment.
Now with no hats, ties optional and leather jackets, I just wonder where the pride went. Flight kits held together with duct tape with decorative stickers on them seems so unprofessional. I saw in my last months flying the line a sticker on a flight bag that said "The anus is an exit, not an entrance". I wonder what the family walking behind this professional thought and how they explained it to their children heading to Wally World.
I suppose it's a sign of the times though. We live in a more casual society. No longer do passengers wear ties and jackets. Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are the garb of the day in the airplane. We can't change the passengers but we do have control of our own appearance. Do we want to command the respect we so richly deserve? We better cinch up the tie, shine the shoes, put on a clean pressed shirt, and proudly wear the hat. You earned it.

I bet you didn't have to wear condoms back then either.

 

[airspeedsalive]

Sorry guys, but you should show this gentleman some respect. It's not his fault this industry is AFU. I happen to agree with him.

 

[climbhappy]

my own worst uniform moment was when my sole delaminated from from leather upper. I was based in PIT and there another wintry day. I had to get some packaging tape and fasten it for the next 2 out n backs. that was day 4. when at home, all i had was five bucs and got a pair of markdowns at Wal Mart.

while all those points are valid and understood, i can't help but of this cliche'

"you get what you pay for."

I was just another broke ass pilot but still tried to wear the hat , look presentable. I have noticed that most Delta guys look spitshined all the time. i don't get out west, as I'm sure many others dress as you say.


the pride left when the pay plummeted and pensions were wiped out.

 

[jetflier]

Folks,

What really amazes me, are those newbie pilots who choose to become a "professional" airline pilot, today, knowing about the $hitty pay and workrules.

Airlines will continue to hire these "professionals" as long as they line up to fly the "better-than-cessna" aircraft as they impress their buds at the local airport.

Ok, OK , I am taking this too far, I know.

But the problem today continues to fester at the very bottom.

If pilots didn't want the jobs because of the bad pay/work rules then airlines would have to raise the pay/work rules in order to get pilots to fill their cockpits.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

I think he's 150% correct.

 

[Huck]

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

 

[Flopgut]

What's made the most difference is deregulation. Our earnings have not kept pace with the cost of living, they have gone down! Corporate raiders, enabled by Uncle Sam and right-to-work states, are all too happy to strip money from the employees that have it to give. Deregulation's cheap airfares' have gone too far.

It's not he fault of the proverbial $19/hr rookie pilot. This business has always had the early years of low pay and hard work, (like a Drs' residency). The failure came from the top, somehow. Greed bred hyper greed, and then turned into ultra hyper greed. To say pilot labor has not had great leadership would be an understatement. Now, many old timers want retirement age changed in place of a pay raise so they can pull the ladder up even more!

I still keep my boots shined along with an attempt at a polished overall appearance. I do this for myself, really. However, with the amount I work and the way that my pay has been decimated it is almost a character flaw!

Thanks for the harsh critique old timer. You got anything constructive to go along with that?

Edit: This excludes cargo, which was not deregulated. And SWA, the single bright spot deregulation has created room for.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

"I am fellow regional pilot and I have holes in my jeans that I can't even afford to patch. I wear velcro shoes to work beacause they are practical, not just for looks. I use an ipod to block all the PA noise in the terminal, and I use a camelback water cooler system to quench my thirst between flights. And Yes I have a high school back pack for my personal trip kit. I know that I do not represent the image of the "ideal pilot" making $250,000/year like in the good ole' days, but I'm not-I'm am an underpaid ($19/hr) F/O flying for a wannabe airline thats just trying to pay his cellphone bill. But hey, thanks for the input."

I omitted the name on the quote because this post is representative of the problem this thread is all about. This above TYPE of individual is the problem with the industry. Professionalism is not about PAY. It is an ATTITUDE.

An attitude that should show respect for yourself and those that look at you.

If an individual looks like as described above what message does that send a passenger or even another pilot? I know it sends the message that this person is much more than a slob in his appearance but a slob in life, in his mind, and in his actions. It shows that this person does not care about himself much less those he is entrusted to safely deliver from point A to B. It shows this person does not care. Does this pilot know his limitations? Does this pilot lie on the weight and balance? Does this person take irresponsible risks?

This issues has nothing to do with the state of the industry. It has to do with the state of the individual and whether you want someone like this flying your family and friends.

If this type of individual can afford an IPod and a Camelback, he can afford to wear a clean pair of slacks and a collared shirt instead of holy jeans. It all a choice and this type of person has no excuse. Again this issue is HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PAY.

 

[EWR_FO]

I think it was a joke.

 

[Oh-ryan]

I can appreciate CaptBud's longing for the good ole days, but his post fails to strike a chord with me for the simple fact of not assuming any responsibility for the way the industry is today. The industry is a reflection of society, and it's just about the same for all industries, not just the airlines.

The GenXer's and GenYer's are picking up right where the Baby Boomers and the "Greatest Generation" left off. I for one am a getting a little tired of hearing about how great the "Greatest Generation" was... sure they fought to save the world from oppression, but you can't tell me that today's generation (fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan) wouldnt have risen to the occasion as well.

I know they also made tremendous contributions to society when they returned home, but let us not forget that the Greatest Generation gave birth to, and raised the Baby Boomers... the ones who were the first to ditch the suits, ties, hats, bras, grow their hair long, introduce the "leisure suit", proliferate widescale social drug use, and rebel against "the establishment".

I'm no prude, and am grateful for a lot of the social change we have seen over the years, but it chaps my ass whenever some old timer complains about society today and how my generation has ruined it. I just thank them for passing the baton.

 

[airksk]

I think he's 150% correct.

Up early there Jonny!

Hope you had a good Christmas, I'll be in touch.

 

[ils2minimums]

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

or is it elephants? Hell, I can never remember...

 

[CF34-3B1]

I can appreciate CaptBud's longing for the good ole days, but his post fails to strike a chord with me for the simple fact of not assuming any responsibility for the way the industry is today. The industry is a reflection of society, and it's just about the same for all industries, not just the airlines.

The GenXer's and GenYer's are picking up right where the Baby Boomers and the "Greatest Generation" left off. I for one am a getting a little tired of hearing about how great the "Greatest Generation" was... sure they fought to save the world from oppression, but you can't tell me that today's generation (fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan) wouldnt have risen to the occasion as well.

I know they also made tremendous contributions to society when they returned home, but let us not forget that the Greatest Generation gave birth to, and raised the Baby Boomers... the ones who were the first to ditch the suits, ties, hats, bras, grow their hair long, introduce the "leisure suit", proliferate widescale social drug use, and rebel against "the establishment".

I'm no prude, and am grateful for a lot of the social change we have seen over the years, but it chaps my ass whenever some old timer complains about society today and how my generation has ruined it. I just thank them for passing the baton.

I agree 100%. The problems began long before Todd the iPod listening backpack wearing RJ FO was born.

Alfred Kahn, Lorenzo, bin Laden, 400k a yr ALPA politicians, there's plenty of blame to go around.

I have no tolerance for sloppy uniform standards, and always took pride in my appearance, even when I was a $16/hr FO, but blaming genX or genY for the demise of the industry is simply sticking your head in the sand.

30 years from now, I'm sure the Old Geezers of my generation will be posting about the good old days before Air Botswana was flying from JFK to LAX using $270 a month A350 Captains.

 

[727C47]

the leather jacket for me is symbolic of our round engine, tail draggin,all weather open cockpit roots, I wear the traditional blazer and stripes,but our company allows the leather jacket, I look at the leather as a homage to our ancestors,not unprofessional at all,my.02 cents

 

[luckytohaveajob]

Approved uniform options are not unprofessional. Backpacks, stickers, colored luggage, no ties when they are required, no hats when they are required, are the issue.

I was on the crew van a few months ago and saw an RJ captain carrying a parachute. She was taking her parachute to work. She was probably going to be using it after the trip or commuting home after the trip. But she was clearly carrying a parachute outside of any covering bag that it should have been carried in.

She looked ridiculous. Imagine the impression this RJ captain gave as she walked down the terminal with one strap of her parachute slung over her shoulder. She was an embarrassment to the whole airline and her profession.

 

[sleeves]

Sorry guys, but you should show this gentleman some respect. It's not his fault this industry is AFU. I happen to agree with him.

Agreed, perception means a lot.

 

[BenderGonzales]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is called professional self-discipline. It is the very same discipline that drives you to fly an approach on-speed, touch down on the centerline, and in the touchdown zone.

It is the same discipline that makes you take care when you perform a walkaround, despite the cold rain and wind.

It is the same discipline you display when you take pride in providing your customers (not passengers... customers) with a smooth, comfortable, and safe flight -- not because you have to, but because you want to.

You know who you are because that pride in yourself and your profession carries over to your everyday life. It shows in the way you raise your children. It shows in how neat you keep your lawn, and in the appearance of your home. You have pride in yourself and the job that you do.

That pride means shining your shoes, a straight (clean) tie, a crisp jacket, and wearing your hat if the company ops manual requires that it be worn. The first impression you make on your customers is one of excellence. When they look at you, they imagine that you take every bit as much care in the operation of your aircraft.

When I flew a turboprop for $13500 per year I wore my uniform with pride. I polished my shoes, I wore my coat, and yes -- my hat as well. It has nothing to do with whether or not some other generation left this profession a mess. Maybe it did. But my decision to dress and act with professional self- discipline has more to do with my character and the way that I was raised than it does about what I get paid.

Bud is 100% right. Some of you folks should be ashamed.