F15Cricket

One of the main problems with the blazer is it would be completely worthless for Alaska flying ... One preflight in the pouring rain at Ketchikan or in -40 at FAI will prove that.

stix'nstrings

Pelican, thanks for starting this thread.

There was a time when I wore my blazer and hat to reflect the professional look of an airline pilot. But that ship sailed 10 years ago when I took a 30% pay cut, lost vacation, pay more for healthcare and forced to vote on a contract to sell out new hires. If the company wants me to resemble their airline pilot image while walking through a terminal than they can buy me the uniform. I've already paid for two (blue shirt seniority) with accessories and won't be buying a 3rd. I'll wear whatever I need to accommodate the practicality my trip, including a north face jacket and not something that produces the pretentious or silly look of someone who has experience but doesn't. With over 25,000 hours of flight time I have nothing left to prove and couldn't care less about the Company's or public's view. After all, this job is about providing safe transportation, money and time off; not what we look like getting to or from a flight while walking the terminal. Over the years I've spent 'thousands' on the look and it has gotten me LESS take home money.

OTOH, maybe I just need to retire.

Klsytakesit

Amen......not buying another uniform either.....if you want a hat go to Delta

Packrat

But that's always been the game plan...increase customer loyalty by having the Captain do a stand up in front of the passengers. I guess the ideal is a famous F/O who likes to personally brief First Class introducing himself as "Capt. X" even though he's not the Skipper, just a Navy Captain. That, however, really jerks the joint of AS managers.

The transition jacket was Angle Lake's attempt to get rid of the Columbia/North Face jackets that guys were wearing. Unfortunately, like everything else they went to the low bidder for the contract and got a jacket that doesn't breathe and was impossible to wear in the terminals in SEA and PDX, not to mention LAX.

In the olden days, there was an option to wear a London Fog trench coat with a detachable fleece liner. It was GREAT everywhere. From sea state 3 on KTN to -55 in FAI for short periods. And if you had to go south you could unzip the liner and it was good everywhere else.

Hadn't seen it worn in years after the leather jacket came on the property, but it would still be a good alternative.

P.S. The London Fog look is enhanced by wearing the hat. So it may not work for the new generation of airline pilots who seem to have an aversion to the hat. Here's a tip...if you really want it to look salty, keep it on the package shelf of your car on days off. The sun will bleach the crap out of it until it's a completely different color from the uniform. Oh, and lose the hat donut.

Green Banana

Maybe it is time for you to retire. The job is not just about safe transportation, time off and money. That is the minimum. You will be wiped out by competition if you do that.

LUVSWA

I have friend who works for Alaska airlines and he was telling me about this mandatory meeting that management called up. Rumor is that he told me that the meeting was about the codeshare with Alaska and Delta and how Alaska might be wanting to end it. I was just curious I ask the Delta guys and they didn't know what to think of it.

Imapilot2

I guess its different for some but for myself I always acted and dressed based on my own professional beliefs. It wasn't how someone else treated me that determined if I was professional or not. Great customer service with safe transportation along with a sharp looking uniform.

Ten years in a regional during bankruptcy's......when we lost our 30% we went into poverty wages....still looked sharp. Not as a fool but as someone with integrity and self respect. I didn't let them get to me. But to each his own I guess.

Also from a DAL guy to Alaska guys. You are all still our pilot brother and sisters. Pilots first company second. Don't let the fray come in when we see each other in the terminal. We are better than that.

Pelican

i agree completely that our job is so much more than being safe. I had my coming to moment a year ago and I'll say this for certain: I'm in a much happier place having made the decision to redirect my distaste of management into something positive. I don't own a blazer and I don't wear my hat, but I do keep my uniform looking sharp and the only time I actually wear my transition jacket is to my car and on the walk around, otherwise it's over my suitcase.

I also made the decision to engage our customers more. If the captain bolts for the crew bus, I stay and thank the passengers. If the Capt stays, I don't crowd and I will leave. It has been great to see the positive vibe from the passengers, FAs and even the agents who see it. I figure the passengers pay my mortgage so the least I could do is thank them.

Like I said though, I do understand the angst, my advice would be to either retire, or just let it go.

Side note....beware: pretty sure luvswa is a troll so wouldn't divulge any excess info.

WNPILOT

I don't think Alaska airlines has anything to fear. I know those Delta guys are talking about the end the code share but I honestly would pick Alaska airlines over Delta any day.

CrazyCatLady

I've been flying the arctic lately and always almost fall down doing the walk around. I think I need to buy some slip on ice cleats.

It's all fun and games until I wack my noggin on the ice and have to get around in a wheelchair sipping my dinner through a straw. Better yet I need a helmet for my arctic walkarounds. Franks and beans!