Originally Posted by
Pontius Pilot
Equating the uniform with being a professional is ridiculous. Professionalism is a state of mind and a way of presenting yourself...regardless of what clothing you're wearing. You can be a professional in your underpants. My doctor once came in to see me wearing her pajama bottoms and a pair of flip flops...was she any less of a knowledgable doctor? No. Did I think any less of her as a professional? No. Did I think she lacked a little fashion sense? Maybe.
The uniform was introduced to give passengers an identifiable, recognizable apperance that made them feel comfortable. Whether they equate that with professionalism is debatable. Today we all look like valets, skycaps, TSA, etc. The uniform is pretty much a worthless display now that everyone wears one just like ours.
I would vote for khaki pants and polo shirts...some sort of business casual. I would also go for blue jeans and a t-shirt with epaulets printed on it. I really don't care. I know what I'm capable of and I know what my job is. I can do it the same way regardless of wearing a cheap shirt from VF Imagewear or naked. I'm a professional in any clothing.
If you are a professional you must look like a professional. To most people pilots are mysterious. The only time you see them is walking around the airplane looking at it, or walking through the terminal. Passengers have no other interaction with them. So if pilots were to start wearing "a t-shirt and blue jeans" and looking like bums, sorry, but that would be pretty lame. Does nobody care about how they present themselves anymore???? I find this actually shocking.
When I was a kid I didnt care. But now when you go ANYWHERE and you meet people, guess what? The first impression they get will be based off your looks.