The Airline Pilot Hat: What will become of it?

[Truckdriver]

I worked for an airline that changed the hat policy to "hats optional". It was awesome because you could tell immediatley who the contol freaks were by who kept wearing the hat. My beef with the hat is they are so darn uncomfortable. Why can't someone make a hat that doesn't have a hard leather head band that fits nobody and is lined with plastic so it traps all your head it in and causes you sweat like a pig?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Looking professional is very important, I'm not quite sure where I said it wasn't. The problem is that you people keep tying professionalism to wearing a hat. The hat is a uniform PIECE. It is one part of the uniform. I guess that you cannot look professional ever unless you are wearing a WWII era headpiece?

No, you keep thinking the suggestion to wear the hat is tied to your professionalism. It is not. The hat is a brand icon and image for the public.

I think United crews look very professional in their uniform without their hats. I think Delta crews, while they do look sharp, look silly dressed up like Louis XIV when they walk up to their MD-88.

It is not about what you think. It never has. Seriously, you are not special. It isn't about you. It is about our perception with those who create our company revenue.

And no passengers don't care.

Why. You are going to have to justify this. Do you have marketing data?

They will not book tickets on Delta more often because of their uniform, and if they at any point felt "more comfortable" for the split second they saw who they thought was the Captain of the RMS Lisituania walk up to the gate, that flew out the door when they flew for 3 hours on peanuts and pretzels with Atlanta based FAs.

The pax might not care bacause they already expect image and professionalism in the price of the ticket.

I've never understood the Captain Stubing look for pilots anyway. Like the rest of commercial aviation, it's stuck in paradigms that may have been important decades ago, but have no real bearing on the operations of today's system.

Why?

You're an highly trained, experienced, professional equipment operator, pure and simple. Do nuclear reactor operators, air traffic controllers, or locomotive engineers wear military style epaulets and hats? Didn't think so.

These professionals are not in the public eye. Again whenever you see marketing and the pilot image it is with a hat.

The uniform (and hat in particular) is ridiculous and constitutes yet another unnecessary expense.

This is your opinion? What is the opinion of the public who buy the tickets.

I worked for an airline that changed the hat policy to "hats optional". It was awesome because you could tell immediatley who the contol freaks were by who kept wearing the hat. My beef with the hat is they are so darn uncomfortable. Why can't someone make a hat that doesn't have a hard leather head band that fits nobody and is lined with plastic so it traps all your head it in and causes you sweat like a pig?

During the 2007-2008 hiring "boom" about 2/3 of the guys at my regional that got hired at the majors wore hats. Of course they didn't wear their hats to the interview.... it was more of the mindset and attitude.

That hat isn't designed to be comfortable. Being a professional isn't either. If it was more people would do it. And we'd be paid less.

Who controls the profession? Management says hats are optional and pilots gleefully react tossing them without a thought... going for the comfort zone. What is next? Neckties? Then what?

Does management control the Air Line Pilot profession? The FAA? The Pax? The ATA? Roger Cohen of the RAA?


Who?

 

[eaglesview]

Looking professional is very important, I'm not quite sure where I said it wasn't. The problem is that you people keep tying professionalism to wearing a hat. The hat is a uniform PIECE. It is one part of the uniform. I guess that you cannot look professional ever unless you are wearing a WWII era headpiece?

I think United crews look very professional in their uniform without their hats. I think Delta crews, while they do look sharp, look silly dressed up like Louis XIV when they walk up to their MD-88.

And no passengers don't care. They will not book tickets on Delta more often because of their uniform, and if they at any point felt "more comfortable" for the split second they saw who they thought was the Captain of the RMS Lisituania walk up to the gate, that flew out the door when they flew for 3 hours on peanuts and pretzels with Atlanta based FAs.

No I am not tying ACTING professional with the hat I am saying in my opinion it LOOKS more professional.

As for us United pilots we are the worst looking pilot group out there. (Sorry fellas it's true.) We can have a crew of four (Asia flying) One wearing the traditional overcoat, one wearing the wool over coat, one wearing the spiffy leather jacket, and one wearing the striped jacket. All four are "in uniform" but there is nothing uniform about it. We, and I am speaking of us at UAL, have allowed our image to go to pieces mostly due to our contempt for Glen. As I have said before, in my opinion, when we allow that, he wins.

 

[clr4theapch]

Peronally, I think the public really does care how the pilots look.. afterall they think you all make 200K a year.. and they put their lives in your hands... better to wear the hat of perception than to come on the flight deck in a tatered greasy T-shirt with a roll of duct tape hanging off your belt loop... Just saying..

It's a profesional job that has always been associated with a sharp uniform.. not unlike many other professions.. you worked for the part, nw your playing the part, look the part.. IMHO of course..

 

[waveflyer]

Those are just old and tired responses- pilots were the ones who changed the hat requirement- do you really think mgmt cares about our hats one way or the other- hats aren't representative of a mindset at all- your mindset is representative of your mindset-

if you haven't noticed the business world has changed- you'll see a much different style at every business than you used to- and yes - it is more casual- and that's not necessarily bad- it represents a change in what matters- that competence matters more than the appearance of competence.

That said- wear it all you want- but if you have the need to judge me bc I don't - (which you won't ) that probably won't go well for you

 

[denny]

Hat or not when you guys go to Costco please, take your epaulets off and your ID badge. It really degrades the profession when some of you go grocery shopping in full uniform.

 

[waveflyer]

This guy wears his hat-- and is definitely my kind of pilot(!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWkoAivVOlA

 

[Abernathy]

Rez, you're such a hypocrite. It may be my perception that the hat does not make one more professional and looks silly on some people, or that the flying public doesn't care, but it is entirely your perception that it does and they do.

In reality I feel sorry for you. You are so insecure that you tie your professionalism and image/personality to a company required artifact.

Also you are not nearly as deep and insightful as you think you are.

 

[Abernathy]

ALSO Rez,

What you really should have your panties in a bunch about instead of the lack of hats is the one uniform article that actually DOES look unprofessional and almost demeaning: The Leather Jacket. Looks trashy and well, unprofessional. Unless you're a professional biker. In which case it might look professional when you're at a biker gathering.

 

[j41driver]

Is this the most important topic to discuss in our industry? Who CUCKING FARES?!??

 

[UALRATT]

I worked for an airline that changed the hat policy to "hats optional". It was awesome because you could tell immediatley who the contol freaks were by who kept wearing the hat. My beef with the hat is they are so darn uncomfortable. Why can't someone make a hat that doesn't have a hard leather head band that fits nobody and is lined with plastic so it traps all your head it in and causes you sweat like a pig?

Don't work for the company nor am I a shareholder. Just thought you can use the information...

http://www.premierhatco.com/?page=shop/index&

These are the guys that use to make those great hats for the original Bancroft company.
FYI, Superior bought the name Bancroft but the Bancroft hats they currently make are not of the same quality as the original. Premier are the best.

•Premier’s DRI FIT - Designed by Premier Hat - Wear tested and perfected by line pilots!
•New DRI-LEX® moisture wicking breathable lining.
•Perforated crown protector with card holder allows heat to escape.
•New Microfiber sweatband designed and proven to wick moisture away from your head.
•Same quality construction and traditional look as the classic style Premier hat.
•One-piece quality construction.
•All seams are lock-stitched for durability and reliability.
•All eyelets have back up washers for strength and stability.
•Posts have screw-backed buttons - not wire-backed buttons.
•Front stay is made from twin wire steel - not plastic.
•Stay is covered with matching lining material for a clean, finished look.
•Matching tape includes stiffener in crown seam.
•Sweatbands have reeding to create a natural roll and cushion that keeps stitches away from your head.
•Genuine Clarino™ First Officer visor tops and leather bottoms laminated and cut "in-house" - not imported.
•All hats come with a 100 % satisfaction guarantee

Check this out http://www.3dvo-models.com/clients/Blackstone/links/01127/model.php

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

What hat?

 

[Abernathy]

Don't work for the company nor am I a shareholder. Just thought you can use the information...

http://www.premierhatco.com/?page=shop/index&

These are the guys that use to make those great hats for the original Bancroft company.
FYI, Superior bought the name Bancroft but the Bancroft hats they currently make are not of the same quality as the original. Premier are the best.

•Premier’s DRI FIT - Designed by Premier Hat - Wear tested and perfected by line pilots!
•New DRI-LEX® moisture wicking breathable lining.
•Perforated crown protector with card holder allows heat to escape.
•New Microfiber sweatband designed and proven to wick moisture away from your head.
•Same quality construction and traditional look as the classic style Premier hat.
•One-piece quality construction.
•All seams are lock-stitched for durability and reliability.
•All eyelets have back up washers for strength and stability.
•Posts have screw-backed buttons - not wire-backed buttons.
•Front stay is made from twin wire steel - not plastic.
•Stay is covered with matching lining material for a clean, finished look.
•Matching tape includes stiffener in crown seam.
•Sweatbands have reeding to create a natural roll and cushion that keeps stitches away from your head.
•Genuine Clarino™ First Officer visor tops and leather bottoms laminated and cut "in-house" - not imported.
•All hats come with a 100 % satisfaction guarantee

Check this out http://www.3dvo-models.com/clients/Blackstone/links/01127/model.php

Rez spontaneously ejaculated after reading this. "OMG the seams are lock-stitched."

 

[eaglesview]

ALSO Rez,

What you really should have your panties in a bunch about instead of the lack of hats is the one uniform article that actually DOES look unprofessional and almost demeaning: The Leather Jacket. Looks trashy and well, unprofessional. Unless you're a professional biker. In which case it might look professional when you're at a biker gathering.

On this we are in complete agreement.

 

[tomgoodman]

Fashion flaps

The hat is a brand icon and image for the public.

I agree, and personally liked the hat, never doubting that its main purpose was to aid in marketing our service. Since deregulation, the public has adapted to much greater changes in their flying experience than seeing hatless pilots, so this is probably not a big deal, unless we make it one.

A few years ago, our local symphony offered a few "casual concerts", with the musicians wearing blue jeans and golf shirts. After some grumbling, most patrons got used to the idea and ticket sales were brisk. I still prefer the aesthetics of formal attire, but the musicians own the orchestra and they play very well, so "de gustibus non est disputandum".