What is up with not wearing full uniform?

[Huck]

In December I was in the Tokyo main train station, looking for the bullet train to Osaka that I had reserved a seat on.

No english signs anywhere to be found - not even the train numbers. I was panicking - 5 minutes to departure.

Just then this old Japanese train conductor walked by in full uniform, hat and all. I shanghaied him into giving me directions.

It's karma, man.....

 

[j41driver]

This may sound like an attack but it really isn't. I am simply curious. I see an overwhelming number of "major" airline pilots in terminals walking around without their epaulets and ties on. Does this allow you to get away with not wearing a hat or something? (I fly fracs and we are required to wear the full uniform or else be in civies.)

First of all it looks tacky. Do you think people will not recognize you are a crewmember and therefore will not ask you stupid questions?

For the record it is quite easy to tell you are a pilot by looking at your polyester pants that are hemmed too short, your shirt with epaulet straps, the sunglasses in your pocket, and that bag you are pulling that has "757" stickers all over it.

Second, do you folks have a policy in effect to be either "in" or "out" of uniform.

My curiosity is killing me. I can't help but snicker everytime I see "professionals" doing this.

Rob Coulter??

 

[Blucher]

Gotta agree with 4fanman on this one. I always keep a big ol' grey sweatshirt with me that fits quite nicely over my monkey suit. Creates quite the trendy Walmart ensemble for those off-the-clock hours spent among the huddled masses. Of course other pilots could easily pick me out, but those who can't find the bathroom, baggage claim, taxi stand, gate __, etc... generally can't.
What I can't understand is those tools out there who are travelling in civies and wear their ID's anyway. What's with that? Talk about needing a hobby! You're off, man! Give it a rest!

-Blucher

 

[enigma]

I commute, mainly offline, and I'm always in uniform. It makes it easier to get through security, sit in First if a seat becomes available, sit in 1W if nothings open in the back, and wearing it allows me to pack a lighter bag. But I occasionally pull the shoulder boards and wings off at the end of a commute, and I ain't a gonna change to impress you. Sorry.

BTW, this here's a great reason to wear a leather jacket. I can remove the shoulder boards and wings in about thirty seconds. If I wore a blazer style Captains jacket, I'd still have those stripes around my wrists.

Seriously, seat0A, is this the best topic you could dream up?

e

 

[stonewall]

This seems to have touched a nerve. However, I fly for a major and agree with the original post. I have no problem with guys doing, it just looks stupid. I don't see a guy wearing the no-epaulet get up and think "unprofessional" or anything like that...I just think "he looks like a dork" and don't waste any more time on it.

I grab some stuff out of my bag and change. Maybe that makes me more of a dork than the other guys though!

 

[Seat 0A]

...and how do you know these guys are "major" airline pilots? besides jetblue and ups, it's sorta hard to tell by a white shirt.

Umm gee, it might have something to do with the "Northwest" logo embroidered on the guys rollerbag or the "United" crew tag dangling from it..

This is my point, EVERYONE makes these guys out to be a pilot. Removing small parts of the uniform (epaulets) just doesn't do it.

 

[dgs]

I find it amazing that so many pilots on this board don't want to help the customers who are paying their salaries. I commute offline in uniform all the time because it is easier for all the reasons mentioned above. I rarely get asked questions. If I do, I feel privileged to help another traveler who may not be as experienced in the airport as I am. Is it really that much of an imposition on your precious time to answer a few innocent questions?

 

[Seat 0A]

You are a bit anal, dont u think?

My curiousity is killing me, Why do we have so many ANAL tools in this industry? Why do you give a rats A$$ about a pilot not wearing his "FULL" uniform.


Cya

Because it tarnishes the ENTIRE industry even more than it already is. Pilots have dropped to the level of servant in the public's eyes. This image is enhanced by a "professional" pilot looking like a slob. Either wear the full uniform and have some pride or ditch the whole thing.

 

[stonewall]

Because it tarnishes the ENTIRE industry even more than it already is. Pilots have dropped to the level of servant in the public's eyes. This image is enhanced by a "professional" pilot looking like a slob. Either wear the full uniform and have some pride or ditch the whole thing.

Fellas, I'm not anal at all, but I do tend to agree with this statement. It CAN be all about the image to the uninitiated sometimes (meaning the travelling public). And these days we can use all the public support we can get. We want them thinking of us as highly as possible, and I do think being in full uniform can help that.

 

[800Dog]

I find it amazing that so many pilots on this board don't want to help the customers who are paying their salaries. I commute offline in uniform all the time because it is easier for all the reasons mentioned above. I rarely get asked questions. If I do, I feel privileged to help another traveler who may not be as experienced in the airport as I am. Is it really that much of an imposition on your precious time to answer a few innocent questions?

They are not paying our salaries during our off time and based on the lack of earnings for most airlines, including yours, they are not paying our salaries during our on time either. I find it amazing that many pilots on this board want to help the customers who are not paying our salaries. You will figure this out sooner or later.

 

[Seat 0A]

Thanks dgs and Magnum, this is really the kind of response I expected from the airline guys and gals. I believe it may be a minority that don't care about image (being off-duty has nothing to do with this). Most are true professionals.....hat and all, and I have a lot of respect for them.

 

[Seat 0A]

They are not paying our salaries during our off time and based on the lack of earnings for most airlines, including yours, they are not paying our salaries during our on time either. I find it amazing that many pilots on this board want to help the customers who are not paying our salaries. You will figure this out sooner or later.

Translation: Screw all the passengers because our airline is losing money. Brilliant!

"help the customers" is generally a good idea in any business. Maybe YOU will figure this out sooner or later.

 

[dgs]

BTW, when I'm commuting offline I don't mind helping your customers who are paying your salaries. It doesn't matter if you are "on the clock" or not. These are the people who paid your company to fly on your airplanes! It's called basic human decency and caring for your fellow "man." If it was your mom, dad, sister, or kid, wouldn't you appreciate somebody helping them out if they were in need of some help? That's why I enjoy flying people instead of boxes. The people we hauled today were thrilled with their JetBlue experience as they exited the aircraft. There's a lot to be said for that kind of positive feedback.

 

[800Dog]

Translation: Screw all the passengers because our airline is losing money. Brilliant!

"help the customers" is generally a good idea in any business. Maybe YOU will figure this out sooner or later.

When passengers are paying 200 bucks to fly coast to coast, they get what they pay for! Walmart employees never help me but, they make billions! Wise up. Point A to B safely is all they should expect sport.

 

[AlbieF15]

I generally drop my trousers and pull off my shirt ASAP and then curl up into a little ball in my boxer shorts and white T-shirt and black socks while sitting in first class. I also sometimes fart and scratch whereever it itches. I can usually get both seats to myself this way, even if there was another passenger next to me initially.

If this doesn't get me a seat to myself I just tell them I flew the F-16. Either way--folks will then avoid you and leave you alone.