I hate to be that guy and stir the pot. But I can't for the life of me understand the whole backpack issue.

First off, I'm sure everyone is going to judge me. I'll help you paint a picture. I have never used a backpack when in uniform mainly because I have never really needed to. I change out my uniform shirts every two months and I don't fly much. I iron a crease into my pants each day on a trip.

So yes Im a neat freak, like to be clean cut and have a strong feeling towards professional appearance. Yet I still can't be bothered by someone that chooses to use a backpack.

Can someone please try as hard as they can to come up with a legitimate reason for me to hate on these guys. Just seems like they found a much more efficient way to carry stuff on the road. Please don't tell me we have reached the point where tradition has trumped practicality.

Some pilots choose to bring food and others don't. Is one a tool over the other for doing something different? I don't recall the original prestigious pilot ever carrying food on a trip. Which is the appearance we are trying to preserve with the whole back pack thing I think.....

Please don't hate on me. I just can't seem to see it. And it surely appears to be a common disgust amongst a large part of the group.