Taking off Epaulets (stripes) at the airport

[FL000]

Just curious --why do some pilots like to take off their Epaulets (stripes) after arriving at the destination airport? One can still make out they are pilots because of the flight bags and the stickers on the bags!

So I can tell them I work for Orkin. It reduces the questioning.

 

[cosmotheassman]

We went to eat before leaving town one day in Naples and everyone in the restaraunt thought we were cruise ship workers. One lady asked if we were security guards! We did in fact end up telling everyone we worked for Orkin. It was kind of fun telling that to all the ignorant people in the world. I am by no means a smart person but the more people I meet in this country makes me feel highly intelligent...

 

[say again]

Dude, that's the problem......90% of us don't get paid like a professional so

SCREW THE HAT!

That's the f-ing truth!!!!

dollarcrackho, you have that problem too?? I feel like the Beatles during their first tour of the US.

 

[PCL_128]

Dude, that's the problem......90% of us don't get paid like a professional so

SCREW THE HAT!

And you don't deserve to be paid like a professional if you don't wear the company required uniform. I can't believe that people can whine about something as simple as wearing a frickin' hat.

 

[FL000]

I went to eat with my family at a restaurant with valet in Atlanta last night before going to work. I had the shirt and pants on, but no decorations. When I ran back out to the parking lot to get something, a lady tried to give me her car to park.

 

[CA1900]

And you don't deserve to be paid like a professional if you don't wear the company required uniform.

Funny, I was wearing my company-required uniform when my pay was cut, my healthcare premium went up $1000 a year, my domicile was closed, and my on-time bonus was killed.

I fail to see any connection between my uniform and my paycheck whatsoever.

 

[Fly2Scuba]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I went to eat with my family at a restaurant with valet in Atlanta last night before going to work. I had the shirt and pants on, but no decorations. When I ran back out to the parking lot to get something, a lady tried to give me her car to park.

What airline do you work for that pays you enough to bring the entire family to a restaurant with valet service?

 

[say again]

And you don't deserve to be paid like a professional if you don't wear the company required uniform. I can't believe that people can whine about something as simple as wearing a frickin' hat.

In that case, let me throw on my hat and watch the money poor on in!!! Yeah, that's not going to happen.

There's a reason why many airlines are going hats optional, they're ridiculous. Down with the hats!!! Besides, it looks better under my arm. HAHA

BTW- we love to whine, no matter how simple things appear to be!!

 

[FL000]

What airline do you work for that pays you enough to bring the entire family to a restaurant with valet service?

Dad treated.

 

[inline]

Funny how many airlines "require" their pilots to wear the hat, yet half or more of them simply carry them in their hand or on top of their bags when walking around the terminal.

Southwest and a few other airlines have now made wearing the hat optional -- good for them. I'd say about 90% of the pilots don't wear the Ralph Cramden looking things. Sometimes the guys that don't wear them make fun of the guys who do.

But the bald pilots like the hats!

 

[Falconjet]

Quote:
Originally Posted by PCL_128
And you don't deserve to be paid like a professional if you don't wear the company required uniform. I can't believe that people can whine about something as simple as wearing a frickin' hat.
Unquote.

I can't believe that you think that wearing a hat makes you "look" like a professional.

Professional skycap maybe, but that is about it.

While some folks may believe that hats make them look like a professional, that is simply an OPINION. It doesn't make it a fact just because you believe it. Most of the guys I see wearing hats look like Gomer Pyle and don't inspire any confidence in me that they are professional pilots. But then again, that is just MY opinion.

How many of you wear your uniforms and hat to proficiency training? Anybody?

Are you not a professional pilot while undergoing your semiannual proficiency checks? Seems to me that is when you would want to be the most professional you can be, but I don't see any hats in the sim.

How you perform your duties and treat your customers and crew are what make you a professional pilot, not wearing a stupid hat.

Or even a tie for that matter. Ok, so who is with me on the no tie crusade?

FJ

 

[PCL_128]

Or even a tie for that matter. Ok, so who is with me on the no tie crusade?

FJ

What's next? How 'bout we all just come to work in shorts, flip-flops, and a Budweiser t-shirt?

The hat has been part of the pilot uniform for nearly three quarters of a century. The entire pilot uniform was first used by Pan Am when they started using the Clipper flying boats on the pacific routes. Since then the uniform has remained mostly unchanged until a bunch of whiners started complaining that "the hat messes up my hair." Stop whining and wear the traditional uniform. Really, what is so frickin' hard about putting a hat on for the few minutes of the day you spend in the terminal?

 

[Falconjet]

Shorts and a tshirt work just fine for me. Not a Bud one though, I am more of a Coors fan. Perhaps a Harley shirt instead, I've got a lot of those.

Also, let's see: Pan Am, gone. Dinosaurs, gone. Coincidence? I think not.

Let it go. If YOU want to wear a hat, go ahead. That is fine. I'm glad it makes you feel special. For those of us lucky enough to work for a company that doesn't require them, good for us, don't let it ruin your day.

In my opinion, it looks dorky and serves absolutely no function what so ever, particularly out on a flight line doing a preflight. Traditionally it is impolite for gentlemen to wear a hat indoors. So I guess the only time you should wear the thing is while you are on your way to and from the airport.

If you want to look "professional" while on the crew bus and in your car by all means have at it.

FJ

 

[aa73]

Falconjet-

While I see many valid points you make regarding not wearing a hat (and I would love it if my airline made it optional) - the hat best serves its function during any kind of emergency requiring a ground evac, in that you are immediately recognized as a flight deck crewmember instead of a flight attendant. Believe me, you want to be an authority figure during an evac, and passengers will not question it when they realize they are dealing with the flight crew, especially with the hat on.

Regards,
73

 

[Ty Webb]

Here's something to think about:

As a new airline pilot, I complained to a buddy of mine (a SWA pilot) about people in outstations always asking directions . . . . he responded, "At least they don't expect you to get their bags" (he is black).

I stopped complaining about giving directions after that.

But for me, the hat should be optional. In today's world, it makes you look more like a skycap than a pilot. My hat stays in the bag room when I commute home.

And the epaulets? Those come off when it's schnocktail time . . . or if I am running errands on my way home from the airport. Don't want to look like like some newbie geek trying to impress chicks .

 

[PCL_128]

Falconjet, you work for an airline that has made the hat optional, so it's a different story for you. Most of us work for airlines that still have the hat as a required part of the uniform in the FOM. As long as it's in there, then it's unprofessional not to wear it.

 

[Ty Webb]

Falconjet-

Believe me, you want to be an authority figure during an evac, and passengers will not question it when they realize they are dealing with the flight crew, especially with the hat on.

Regards,
73

Actually, the last thing I am going to bother with during an evacuation will be putting on my lid. And they will know I am in command when they hear me shout "Follow me to safety and cold beer!" as I make my escape.

 

[aa73]

Actually, the last thing I am going to bother with during an evacuation will be putting on my lid. And they will know I am in command when they hear me shout "Follow me to safety and cold beer!" as I make my escape.

...and then they'll know that you must have received a hard blow to the head as you shout that, and run the other way...

All joking aside, studies have proven that passengers, in their panic, want authority figures to lead the way. And if I'm gonna lead the way, I wanna be recognizable immediately - which is what the hat does.

Heck, my only two duties as an F/O are to read the evac checklist, and to put my hat on (yes, it's a required evac item for us)... then I bail.

73

 

[psycho]

" Okay, we are on fire, time to evac. Where is that **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** hat, Hey this fire's getting hot, there it is. How do I look? Mayonaise on it?? OW this fire burns!! Go on without me, no one will believe I'm capable of leading till I clean this thing up. OW OW FIRE BAD!! HAT GOOD"

Besides, the hat was good enough for Leo Dicaprio so I'll wear mine in the terminal as I smile at the chicks. I wrote a BIG Check to dress up like this.

 

[Ty Webb]

All joking aside, studies have proven that passengers, in their panic, want authority figures to lead the way. And if I'm gonna lead the way, I wanna be recognizable immediately - which is what the hat does.

73

In my three years working EMS, the sick, injured (and bystanders) immediately recognized me as "an authority figure", and, strangely enough, I didn't have a hat then either. It's not the hat, it's what goes in the hat that counts.