Pilots and Backpacks

[sbav8r]

http://www.bisonmountainbags.com/ApexSummitPack.html

Great bag!

 

[No.W.]

Hilarious thread. And I will second the comment about surgeons...if we hold them up to our standard of professionalism they would fail...every time(when my wife was in residency one of her attendings fancied listening to Ramstein at high dB while operating...). Yet they make more $$$...spend more on their education...and are in a much more critical position with arguably more power to screw up (and don't give me the "they control one life at a time" crap...we all know what I mean...if a heart surgeon breaths wrong they could kill someone). All of that and I don't know one surgeon who would not be perceived as professional...by their staff (who are privy to the OR shenanigans) and their patients.

 

[bri5150]

My captain showed up for my last Honolulu trip with a giant backpack. I said, "looks like you're coming prepared, what's in the bag."

"My paragrlider."

I can't believe he was so unprofessional and brought recreational equipment to Hawaii. The nerve of him trying to have fun at his job.

While I don't think he shouldn't have brought is paraglider, the fact remains that him trying to have fun at his job looks more unprofessional than someone that didn't bring a backpack and was working at work. Again, I am not saying that people shouldn't bring things for fun on their overnight and I understand there is probably a long layover in HI that you wouldn't be working anyways. I am just looking through the eyes of the passenger.

 

[bri5150]

Hilarious thread. And I will second the comment about surgeons...if we hold them up to our standard of professionalism they would fail...every time(when my wife was in residency one of her attendings fancied listening to Ramstein at high dB while operating...). Yet they make more $$$...spend more on their education...and are in a much more critical position with arguably more power to screw up (and don't give me the "they control one life at a time" crap...we all know what I mean...if a heart surgeon breaths wrong they could kill someone). All of that and I don't know one surgeon who would not be perceived as professional...by their staff (who are privy to the OR shenanigans) and their patients.

My wife just went through a C-section a few weeks ago while I was in the room. I thought it was very unprofessional of the surgeon and nurse working on her to be talking about her being up all day at her kids birthday party when we were in there at midnight (could have been worse) cutting up my wife. I understand they have done that procedure 1,000's of times before, but my wife and I are conscience in the room, and a little discression would have garnered more respect. That being said, she did a wonderful job, and mom healed up faster than normal after the procedure.

 

[No.W.]

Most passengers don't know/care what a pilot looks like anymore.

At least none of my friends do. We have had this discussion. From friends who are millionaire businessmen to friends who work the 9 to 5 grind...beyond decent hygiene and reasonable cleanliness...they don't even notice the backpacks.

 

[No.W.]

Br5150-That's mild. This is their job. They don't care what you think. They got the job done...by your own admission...and that's what matters.

 

[filejw]

While I don't think he shouldn't have brought is paraglider, the fact remains that him trying to have fun at his job looks more unprofessional than someone that didn't bring a backpack and was working at work. Again, I am not saying that people shouldn't bring things for fun on their overnight and I understand there is probably a long layover in HI that you wouldn't be working anyways. I am just looking through the eyes of the passenger.

Over the years, skis, snowboards, fishing rods, bicycles, climbing gear, hockey eq, I'm sure I am missing something.

 

[asa rat]

Here is one thread with EIGHTEEN pages on this subject, knock yourself out.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=58658&highlight=campy

 

[xjhawk]

Sure it might be convenient to carry one around. But it's also a lot more comfortable and convenient to wear sneakers. But you'll look like a dousche. At some point you've got to grow up and leave the light-up wheels and mickey mouse watches at home. As for backpacks, you're not in high school anymore.

Let me guess you still carry your leather luggage with no wheels? Oh and you have not made the jump to a cell phone because it looks too unprofessional? Those dam new pilots who wear the bright ear plugs that do not look professional either need to be told they are not a REAL pilot like I am .......................i kid..lol


oh that means laugh out Loud

 

[bri5150]

Br5150-That's mild. This is their job. They don't care what you think. They got the job done...by your own admission...and that's what matters.

Right, they didn't care what I thought. And that's what the backpack wearing pilots will say. They will say they don't care what the public thinks. Good for them, but the public cares. Therein lies the problem. Some of the public care enough to not feel safe I am sure. If the pilot doesn't care about his appearance, what else does he not care about? It's the same way it works with spelling and grammar on this website. You may not care about it, but others will value your opinion more or less based on the quality of your writing (not saying you have a problem).

 

[No.W.]

Right, they didn't care what I thought. And that's what the backpack wearing pilots will say. They will say they don't care what the public thinks. Good for them, but the public cares. Therein lies the problem. Some of the public care enough to not feel safe I am sure. If the pilot doesn't care about his appearance, what else does he not care about? It's the same way it works with spelling and grammar on this website. You may not care about it, but others will value your opinion more or less based on the quality of your writing (not saying you have a problem).

Fascinating. I have NO friends who care...across all walks of life...again...none of them care about a backpack wearing pilot.

I am not saying there aren't any pax who care...I am just saying I have yet to find anyone in my relatively small sampling.

Grammar bugs the hell out of me...even when I screw it up. I see what you are saying. I also hate how most surgeons act...and that's why I was 100% behind my wife when she ditched her residency after 3 successful years and went into Family Medicine. Your points are all somewhat valid in theory...my point is Joe and Jane Public couldn't care less overall. They'd fly on a bright yellow schoolbus with wings if it would get them from LA to JFK for $20.

 

[IbeFlyenhye]

It's strictly a matter of perception. It is important for the people who paid (way too little) to ride in the back of your plane trust you to be disciplined and professional enough to safely fly them around. Short of asking for a resume with your training and experience they are going to draw conculsions (rightly or wrongly) based upon the way you appear. Historically, a clean, pressed uniform delivers the perception they are looking for. Currently, wearing a backpack (or wearing your hat and sunglasses backwards and/or your pants below your ass) doesn't currently fall into the category of professional appearance. However, perhaps - over time those perceptions might change. The same arguement was made regarding hats - even though hats worn by professionals went out of vogue almost fifty years ago.

 

[No.W.]

I guess all of you hang with a completely different demographic. I've had this conversation with friends and none of them...repeat...none of them even notice the backpacks.

A dirty, wrinkled uniform...now THAT they say they notice and are disgusted by.

 

[say again]

Keep yourself well-groomed, iron your uniform, act appropriately in public places and people will not give a rats a$$ if you have a backpack on. Showing up reeking of booze, being rude, looking like a slob is what people notice...not how you carry your own personal belongings.

 

[No.W.]

Keep yourself well-groomed, iron your uniform, act appropriately in public places and people will not give a rats a$$ if you have a backpack on. Showing up reeking of booze, being rude, looking like a slob is what people notice...not how you carry your own personal belongings.

THIS is the view of the flying public as I have sampled it.

 

[Abernathy]

Let me guess you still carry your leather luggage with no wheels? Oh and you have not made the jump to a cell phone because it looks too unprofessional? Those dam new pilots who wear the bright ear plugs that do not look professional either need to be told they are not a REAL pilot like I am .......................i kid..lol


oh that means laugh out Loud

No I could really care less about most things. The backpack doesn't necessarily bother me. I just think it looks retarded.

 

[zonejumper]

Hat = Hot

Backpack = NOT

 

[CX880]

Hat = Hot

Backpack = NOT

It's rare to see a pilot that actually looks good in a hat though. A few days ago I saw a surejet FO walking the terminals it was so bad and oversized on him I thought it was a female pilot at a distance.

 

[COOPERVANE]

A few days ago I saw a surejet FO walking the terminals it was so bad and oversized on him I thought it was a female pilot at a distance.

It also might have been the two inch tall letters along the front of his hat

"Surejet"


Partner, Ally, Friend.......................


Kumba yaaaaaaaa...............

 

[zonejumper]

It's rare to see a pilot that actually looks good in a hat though. A few days ago I saw a surejet FO walking the terminals it was so bad and oversized on him I thought it was a female pilot at a distance.

I disagree. There are many pilots who look wonderful in the hat (and full uniform). If someone's hat is too big and looks ridiculous--whose fault is that?

Unfortunately, many airlines are caving into uniform NON-compliance and making the hats optional. Oh well, another part of the airline industry down the toilet. I guess the day of airline pilots wearing Dockers and golf-shirts with sneakers isn't too far behind......

(BTW, PLEASE don't anyone use the assinine "Pay me like a professional and I'll dress like one" argument. It's lame at best....)