The ipod/backpack generation of pilots

[CoATP]

I cant speak for anyone but myself, but to me the pilots being complained about are the ones that "know it all". You know the ones that went to the academy and bought into the notion that they are Yeager, linberg, and hoover all rolled into one.

I used Google and this guy was the one that flew over the alantic ocean.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

heres another thought on the subject:

Being based in DCA and having a crashpad in Crystal City a few blocks from the Pentagon I see many many mil service people all the time, enlisted thru col, even a general walking about now and then. Many of these guys/women have a backpack and ipod or cell phone as they make thier way about in uniform. It dosen't make me think any less of them.

We are not military men or officers.

Soliders wear backpacks.

If soliders are kicking ass they can listen to what they want...

If a sharp pilot image with hat is good enough to picket then it is good enough for everyday. Everyday is good enough to promote better pay and work rules...

 

[jeroom]

Just bring the bOObs!

 

[Sioux115]

Hats, blazer, looking professional=hot chicks wiith big BOOBS. Ipods, back packs and hair gel=slump busters.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

BACKPACK SONG

Backpack, Backpack, Backpack, Backpack
I'm the Backpack
Loaded up with things and nick nacs too
Anything that you might need I got inside for you.
Backpack, Backpack, Backpack, Backpack
YEAH!

 

[AvroGuy]

The hat is a holdover from years past. The backpack in the military, not the rucksack, is realatively new also. Every profession must addapt and evolve. Uniforms change, society changes, people perception of professional change. I personally don't wear a hat unless it is cold outside and I need to keep my brain bucket warm. Not required at my company, if it was required I would wear one.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

The hat is a holdover from years past. The backpack in the military, not the rucksack, is realatively new also. Every profession must addapt and evolve. Uniforms change, society changes, people perception of professional change. I personally don't wear a hat unless it is cold outside and I need to keep my brain bucket warm. Not required at my company, if it was required I would wear one.

Not sure if this is a professional reason not to wear the hat.

I've yet to read a logical arguement that the hat has a negative effect on the profession. It maybe disliked by todays version of the airline pilot, but what a professional thinks about himself and what thier revenue thinks is two different things.

Fact is....still today... whenever any organization wants to use the image of an Air Line Pilot...that hat is used.....

 

[AvroGuy]

Rez, I wonder when the profession got rid of the silk scarf and goggles how many of the "ol' timers" griped about the new generation of pilots who don't wear the scarf and took on wearing hats.

I think you are right about the public perception and the hat. That may change though. Look at the perception about CEO's. Majority of people would think of a man in a nice suite. Reality has changed, Some CEO's come to work in blue jeans and collard shirts. Now do they get C r a p from thier fellow CEOs or do they just go about thier business?

 

[xjhawk]

do you suppose years ago the old guys complained about the new guys with their cell phones and laptop cases? With time, things change. But one thing that should not change is our professionalism. I do suppose that some could argue that the type of music player you listen to or the type of laptop bag you find comfortable or easy to drag around can lead to some bad behavior.......give it a shot buddy. I will define professionalism for some at the airlines

70's style mustash
balding hair with a bus cap to cover it up
a polyester suitcoat
with matching cheap cold and hardly waterproof overcoat
no computer case in the shape of a backpack
no Ipod or similar device
can anyone add anymore.

When a professional is on break in the city, or out for a walk, I am sure they can have a i pod and still be professional........

 

[PCL_128]

When a professional is on break in the city, or out for a walk, I am sure they can have a i pod and still be professional........

Sorry, not comparable. The terminal is our place of work. The city street is not a lawyer's/broker's/doctor's/etc... place of work. When you walk through the terminal, your customers are seeing you. The professional walking in the park just looks like any other joe. When you're in uniform in the terminal, you need to look the part.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Rez, I wonder when the profession got rid of the silk scarf and goggles how many of the "ol' timers" griped about the new generation of pilots who don't wear the scarf and took on wearing hats.

Goggles and scarfs are for open cockpit airplanes to keep the wind and oil off your eyes... The scarf was used to wipe the oil... It is vestigial and not pragmatic or pratcial...even for sentimental or historical purposes. (now before any anti leather jacket types try and chime in.. the leather jacket does have pratical value)

Anything else...

I think you are right about the public perception and the hat. That may change though. Look at the perception about CEO's. Majority of people would think of a man in a nice suite. Reality has changed, Some CEO's come to work in blue jeans and collard shirts. Now do they get C r a p from thier fellow CEOs or do they just go about thier business?

I don't care about CEO's and what their casual Friday, corporate trend gimmicks are.......


Still looking for a logical debate that the hat has a negative impact on our professional image....

 

[AvroGuy]

The hat is just part of a uniform. A person wearing a hat with a crummy looking uniform is just as bad as the guy not wearing a hat with a great looking uniform who is being rude to customers. Both are extreamly unprofessional.

I don't wear a hat simply because it is one more thing to carry around, loose, and get dirty. I don't feel it makes me anymore or less professional. Like I said before, the hat at my company is optional.

Now for a person who's company requires the wear of a hat but he/she chooses not to wear it. That in my book makes them less professional because it show a lack of respect for the rules. I know some will say it is a miner infraction but what is the saying, "in for a penny, in for a pound." Meaning if you are willing to break that rule, what other rules are you willing to break. Also, when is it time to replace the hat? I see guys walking around with hats on that look just as old as they are. Is that a professional image? I almost feel like I am back in the military with the hat police.

You know some might say wearing a short sleeve shirt is unprofessional when compared to long sleeve shirts. When did short sleeves become ok?

Who is the benchmark as to how we should look, act, and perform?

Professionalism is not easy to define. In the civillian world, you must be your own policer of professionalism. The company you work for most likely does not do uniform inspections to police all of the crap people have on. Now compare that to a very professional group of people. The US Military, they clearly and strickly defined the standards of your appearance, they inspect your apperance for compliance, they police themselves (meaning your buddy will tell you that you look like SHT BAG and you need to fix it), and biggest thing is they have concequences for not following the rules.

I guess I could have just said that if you need the hat to feel professional by all means wear it.

 

[p3pilot71]

I think it is much more professional to go to work without a hat than it is to wear one tilted way back on your head like frikin Barny Fife. Or to wear it pulled down so far that it makes your ears stick out. Both are equally goofy looking.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I don't wear a hat simply because it is one more thing to carry around, loose, and get dirty. I don't feel it makes me anymore or less professional. Like I said before, the hat at my company is optional.

Again... this is a personal opinon for the sake of personal convienence...

Fact is.. the professional image if a pilot includes hats...

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I think it is much more professional to go to work without a hat than it is to wear one tilted way back on your head like frikin Barny Fife. Or to wear it pulled down so far that it makes your ears stick out. Both are equally goofy looking.

Good God man.... how many contingencies can you think of!!

 

[LanceAir]

This is for Rez..... I don't have kids, but I do have little cousins....and I am pretty sure I know where the "back pack" song comes from....staying with topic, wear your hats, unless you don't want to, or it's a safety hazard...or...Dora

 

[rhino3040]

Tigggggggooooobiiiiiiidddddieees!!!!! Nice!