Wearing the uniform as a freight pilot

[RampTower]

I know alot of airline pilots take their job seriously and want to look professional in their spiffy uniforms. Even if you don't want to wear it, it's company policy and second, you "look" cool and professional in the public's eye.

But how about the freight pilots like UPS and FedEx? If I'm not mistaken, their operations are at separate locations on the airport and essentially they don't deal with the travelling public. So why do they have to wear a uniform other than because the company says so? Who are they trying to look professional towards? As far as I'm concerned they could wear shorts, t-shirts and flip flops and still do the job exactly the same as they have always done it.

 

[PCL_128]

I talked to a guy at Gemini that said some of the crews on the really long flights change into casual clothes once they get to cruise. Not sure if that's common though.

 

[flatspin7]

FedEx and UPS both have tradition "pilot" uniforms. UPSes are brown(big shock) and I think FedEx wears navy blue but I am not 100% on that.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

I know alot of airline pilots take their job seriously and want to look professional in their spiffy uniforms. Even if you don't want to wear it, it's company policy and second, you "look" cool and professional in the public's eye.

But how about the freight pilots like UPS and FedEx? If I'm not mistaken, their operations are at separate locations on the airport and essentially they don't deal with the travelling public. So why do they have to wear a uniform other than because the company says so? Who are they trying to look professional towards? As far as I'm concerned they could wear shorts, t-shirts and flip flops and still do the job exactly the same as they have always done it.

Has nothing to do with looking cool or spiffy as you put it. It's about professionalism. Our operations are at locations different from where the passengers go, but what does that have to do with if you wear a uniform or not. You're right, the clothes you're wearing should not change the the quality of the job you're performing, however, the rules are that you will wear the uniform and most professional pilots that I know do not have a problem with wearing it.

Based on the tone in your post, it sounds like you're a little jealous, maybe because you wish you could wear a uniform?

 

[UPS Capt]

So why do they have to wear a uniform other than because the company says so?

You pretty well answered your own question. The company does say so and since they sign my paycheck...well then, I wear whatever they want me to wear.

 

[OrphicSeth]

A brown pilot uniform? Do UPS pilots look like the truck drivers? Anyone got a picture?

 

[CUEBOAT]

I once worked for a flight school that required a uniform.According to the owner the only reason he required a uniform was incase we wrecked a plane, atleast when the NSTB/FAA showed up it would look like at least somone in the plane might know what was going on. Heard it with my own ears.I won't lie I want to wear a UPS or a FedEx pilot uniform

 

[CesnaCaptn]

A brown pilot uniform? Do UPS pilots look like the truck drivers? Anyone got a picture?

Yes, they look like truck drivers. All those truck drivers that wear brown pilot uniforms.

 

[UPS Capt]

A brown pilot uniform? Do UPS pilots look like the truck drivers? Anyone got a picture?

Yes, they look just like the drivers. Most have two arms, two legs and a head.

The uniforms were modeled after United's...so, think of United's uniform only in dark brown with gold stripes and wings.

 

[RampTower]

Has nothing to do with looking cool or spiffy as you put it. It's about professionalism. Our operations are at locations different from where the passengers go, but what does that have to do with if you wear a uniform or not. You're right, the clothes you're wearing should not change the the quality of the job you're performing, however, the rules are that you will wear the uniform and most professional pilots that I know do not have a problem with wearing it.

I never said I have a problem with wearing it. Nor am I trying to start a flame war here. If the company says so, well then, so be it. But looking professional in front of your fellow employees? And not the travelling public?

Based on the tone in your post, it sounds like you're a little jealous, maybe because you wish you could wear a uniform

Thanks but after 7 years at Mesaba, I really have no desire to wear any more uniforms than I have to.

 

[APPilotNE]

I don't work for UPS or Fed-Ex, but fly a feeder for DHL. My company expects us to wear the " PilotSuit". They also refer to us as: " Captain" when in conversations with dispatch and maintenance. I think it has to do with professionalism and the mind set. If you look like a professional and are referred to as a professional you'll act like one. Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying that others that don't wear the uniform aren't professionals. It just adds another layer of seriousness (?) to the job.
On another note: It seperates us from the truck drivers.

 

[414Flyer]

If you fly international, uniforms count for a lot. I couldnt even get a free aircrew visa in Oman because I did not have a uniform on. I showed my pilots license, flight plan, etc, but they insisted i needed to have on the right shirt, so I had to pay for the tourist visa.

 

[c208fr8dawg]

I have to wear one too. I quess I can impress the boxes and rampers. If it were up to me I'd be in a t-shirt and shorts.

 

[AZaviator]

At my company, we were told the reason for wearing uniforms is for two reasons. The first one being professionalism, the second reason is for rampers, ground personnell, etc. to be able to easily identify who the pilot is when the ramp is busy with congestion and dozens of people going everywhere.

 

[habubuaza]

When I flew VIP 727's we were allowed to wear casual clothes on ferry flights, which we had many of.. .. The flight attendants would often show up in in t-shirts, shorts and furry slippers if we were leaving early in the morning or really late at night...

 

[FN FAL]

At the FedEx feeders we have to wear uniforms as well, even if you are flying the Caravan. Laugh all you want, but we don't ever touch the freight.

If you don't want to wear a uniform while flying freight, you can go over to the UPS feeders, they wear jeans and shorts...but that's cool, cause they sweat while they are in the back, throwing boxes and rigging cargo nets.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

another thing too is security. If you fly freight, and hop off the airplane and start walking across the ramp to the building, I'm sure you'll raise some eyebrows if you're spotted in something like tshirts, shorts and flip flops (which was mentioned in a previous post).

 

[A1FlyBoy]

Hmm..

How about UPS Girl uniforms?

http://www.mindspring.com/~rv6dd/id201.htm

Package delivered...schwing!

 

[bobbysamd]

Professionalism

I once worked for a flight school that required a uniform. According to the owner the only reason he required a uniform was in case we wrecked a plane, at least when the NSTB/FAA showed up it would look like at least somone in the plane might know what was going on . . . .

Never heard that rationale for flight schools requiring uniforms, but it makes sense to me.

Instructors and students wore uniforms when I was instructing at FlightSafety. I had no problem with it whatsoever. When I was with IASCO, which was JAL's school, both instructors and students wore uniforms that were similar to the airline's. I recall that students at the Lufthansa school in Arizona and at IFTA in Bakersfield, which is ANA's school, also wore uniforms. It's all about establishing a professional environment and a professional mindset; to act the part you must look the part.

As far as UPS, FedEx, DHL, Airborne, etc. go, those airlines are no less professional than any people hauler and should not be looked upon any differently.

 

[FN FAL]

Hmm..

How about UPS Girl uniforms?

http://www.mindspring.com/~rv6dd/id201.htm

Package delivered...schwing!

Yea...that's tawdry.

I like 'em a little bit on the 'demure' side, if you know what I mean.

http://www.greenfaces.se/upload/uploads/ak5.jpg

Main Entry: de·mure
Pronunciation: di-'myur
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English
1 : RESERVED, MODEST
2 : affectedly modest, reserved, or serious : COY
- de·mure·ly adverb
- de·mure·ness noun

 

[Panel Monkey]

What a funny thread.


I'd dress up like Liza Minelli for a decent paying
PFE gig right now.

 

[flighter]

True Story:

I was stationed in Korea with a n F-16 squadron. One of the pilots on his last flight there decided he would go flying in shorts and t-shirt instead of the flight suit. When he was taxing in, the security police noticed he did not have on standard issue flight suit, so they decided to follow his plane to the hardstand. He got out wearing his harness, helmet and boots along with his jeans, t-shirt. The security police promptly showed him the business end of an m-16 and hauled him away for questioning. When it was all sorted out, the wing commander was not amused. If I remember correctly, he was grounded for 6 mos. The moral, uniforms are important.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

What a funny thread.
I'd dress up like Liza Minelli for a decent paying
PFE gig right now.

Hey monkey, have you tried applying at Capital cargo?

they only hire pfe's and the pay's decent.

www.capitalcargo.com

also, you can xdress if you like...some of the old guy will probably hit on you.

 

[EuroWheenie]

With our lot (DHL/EAT in Brussels) uniforms are, hardly surprising, mandatory too, for the reasons stated above - professionalism and identification. However, we don't carry pax and once the door is closed and all that. We do have the occasional 6-hour flights, quite often to rather hot places. Since I moved over to the left hand side, I have been known to get out of the uniform and into shorts and t-shirt while the ship is being loaded. When I was a mere Flap Operator it was follow the lead so to speak, and we do have (like any other operator) a few grumpy old men who stick to the book in all it's petty details (like wearing a polyester shirt in 35C and 95% humidity).

When the company bought the fleet of 757-200SF, I brought one ship up from Tel-Aviv and one over from Wichita; both flights were done in civvies. Catering out of Wichita was quite good, and we did manage to go non-stop direct to East Midlands in just shy of 8 hours.

Oh, we smoke onboard too - how's that! Usually not in the cockpit, out of deferrence to non-smoking crews who'll occupy the ship when we're done with it, but there is a cosy little area between cockpit and cargodeck that's just made for smoking - even the ashtray is still installed.

 

[PurpleInMEM]

Nothing to do with professionalism...

I hate the uniform, no matter what BS reason people come up with. I have NO customer contact and wearing a short sleeve shirt with a tie looks ridiculous anyway. My professionalism is measured in how the equipment is operated, not how I look doing it.

Some of the 'real' airline pilots will disagree I'm sure, but our days of being compared to maritime officers has long since come to an end.

One valid point might be that particular companies want their employees to look the same. McDonalds, Home Depot, Target all share this philosophy. My beef is what I wear, not why I wear it. We have so many uniform combinations we don't look standardized anyway, so what's the point. A simple pair of work pants, a logoed golf shirt (long or short sleeve), and a functional jacket/coat would easily identify our particular employee group and provide a greater level of comfort and durability. I'm sure it would also be a lot cheaper for all involved. Function should be emphasized over form.

My opinion only, your mileage may vary.

 

[Snakum]

My boss has suggested that I start wearing a uniform on company missions when I'm not required at the actual client rendezvous. He thinks it will look more professional for the bosses to climb out of the back with me bowing and scraping to get their laptop cases out and get them sent on their way.

However, I don't think I'd be comfortable climbing out of a rented Skyhawk with a navy blue suit, hat with scrambled egg braid, and silver stripes on the sleeves.

Minh