Uniform
 

Hi everyone,
New hire here. I am wondering what do you guys use for rain coats or overcoats. New hires were not given jackets because the new vendor will have those in November. Meanwhile I need to figure out what to wear as some of the overnights are in JAC . Looking at the weather forecast the mornings will be in the lower 40s , so no ideal for shirts. Any suggestions? Tnx

Black Northface. I have a black Columbia slicker for walkarounds. Not necessarily approved but condoned.

Condoned by who? Had a LCA bust my FO’s balls for wearing unauthorized Northface jacket and then busted my balls for allowing him to wear it. So no mas. You flying with me then you wearing approved uniform. End of story. So noob, do not go out and by a Northface jacket please!

So you make your FOs do their walk arounds in the rain wearing a white short sleeved shirt?!

"I don't know man, I wasn't paying attention when he went to do the walk around."

Ummmm. You can do plenty of walkarounds in the northface. GMAFB. Tell that LCA to suck it. Make sure you have your gate on a walk around too.

Sounds like a case when the LCA should be doing the walk around in a short sleeve shirt.

Maybe you should have used the new found Captain authority the company has promised to give us and “allow” your FO to where an unapproved coat that you can’t see under a safety vest for walk arounds depending on weather conditions. Just when you think this place can’t get more ridiculous someone posts something like this. I would hope most LCA here would bust your balls for not being a captain and taking care of your crew.

Follow the rules. Get off probation.

Most commuters have a jacket or polo to commute in. Almost everyone I know has jackets to do walk arounds in for winter. I am not wearing it with my hat.

If its pouring or -20 then yeah, I’m wearing it outside. I am not the least bit worried about getting in trouble wearing it on the ramp in rain or snow.

Good judgment for safety still prevails with all the chief pilots I have talked to. I have seen guys get told to wear their hats by the CPO, but no paperwork was done.

Did I miss the new uniform order, because we are getting kind of close to replace 16000+ uniforms by winter.

Quoted for idiocy.

LCA's in my base and fleet tend to say they have the walk around and for us to take our time with the inside stuff. I think you need better LCA's.

Packable coat in the bag for layovers. Uniform blazer on walkarounds. Black gloves and hat in the bag in case it’s really cold. In your shoes I would wear whatever you want for walkarounds this fall when the vendor inevitably doesn’t have jackets on time.

A while ago during the brass shortage we had new hires out of uniform compliance because the company couldn't acquire enough wings and hat pins. And that was ok and everyone knew about it because it wasn't like these pilots wanted to be out of compliance, but the literally couldn't get the required items. I'd say in your case the company, this time by their own choosing, is not providing you the full uniform complement. That is their prerogative, and honestly it does make sense for them to not buy you a blazer you won't even be able to wear this fall when the new one comes out. But because you have not yet been provided a full uniform I would wear whatever you darn well please when you encounter cold and/or rainy destinations. And if anyone wants to call you out on that, I would just simply explain your situation and move on. If it's October, and you have not been provided a blazer, and it's 20 degrees somewhere, no one expects you to just suck it up in the short sleeve shirt. Be safe. Be comfortable. The company made this decision for you so I wouldn't think twice about wearing a Northface jacket or other professional-looking outer wear until the company provides you with the complete uniform complement.

Twice I’ve had a FA in my crew sporting a purple Mohawk. You read that right. If mother Delta doesn’t have an issue with a purple Mohawk on an employee that has the MOST customer contact of any group at this company then my FO’s can wear a black Northface to do a walk around. That LCA is an ass.

Thanks all. I appreciate your thoughts. Can the trench style rain coat be from any vendor or must be from the approved company one? I couldn't see that on crew outfitters website.

There isn't an official rain coat. It just needs to be trench-style poly/cotton, either single or double breasted. Nobody will be checking the label anyway; I haven't owned a single item from the current poor-quality official vendor.

Personally just pack a couple of .99 cent disposable one time use ponchos for the occasional rainy walk around.

I’ve yet to have the other pilot decline the offer of a free poncho when it’s raining sideways and it’s their turn.

Outstanding training environment when an LCA is "busting balls" over a minor uniform violation during an event. Why do some of these guys think they are the cops of the company? We have a CPO for that, and they seem to handle these conflicts a lot more professionally.

To the OP, if they didn't give you a jacket (which isn't that warm anyhow) wear what you want. They don't issue overcoats anyhow, we all have to provide our own. Most guys go with a London Fog flasher style.

Get one at goodwill. My local store had 3 last time I looked.

​​​​​​Have you asked your New Hire Pilot Mentor?

During OE this spring, I explained to my LCA the same predicament. He said to be safe and comfortable. BTW, my sim partner and I couldn’t even buy our own blazers according to Crew Outfitters.

i have a nice black packable rain jacket with no obnoxious logos. If it’s raining and/or cold outside of official winter jacket months, i grab that jacket and the reflective vest. I put both the jacket and reflective vest on/off at the jetway door. I have had zero issues.

wearing fleece at the gate and/or in front of pax is where you’ll get attention. I wouldn’t buy a trench coat out of fear of a walk around…on or off probation.

Pretty much this. I put mine on in the cockpit with the reflective vest over it and ID out. Walk straight back to the cockpit afterwards and take it off.

Any Captain that gives you grief over that when it’s cold/rainy/snowy outside deserves to be added to your DNF list.

And yet, we have FA’s allowed to wear any manner of commercially bought jacket. North Face “puffy” knee length is popular with them. No standardization in the slightest.

So lighten up, Francis. Walking through the terminal in a black North Face with your hat is one thing, wearing a jacket only for a walk around outside is quite another.

Here’s to hoping the company finally addresses this “problem” by finally authorizing a North Face/Columbia type jacket. It’s happening all the time anyway, they might as well have an offering to make it ‘uniform’.

Need a like button

Yeah big man, I’d like to see you attempt that. FOM clearly states what our uniform requirements are. You have any trouble with basic reading comprehension?? Don’t wear the Northface jacket. Clearly spelled out. It’s not hard people. When I do walkarounds in the rain I have a small umbrella and wear my uniform jacket. Pretty damn simple.

You bring your blazer year round? Doesn't it get wrinkled in your bag, or do you wear it?

And here is an example of why DNF lists exist

You should also be taking lav breaks every 30 minutes to ensure the FA’s and back of YOUR plane is being operated according to company policy. You don’t want to miss something.

The FOM doesn’t reference an umbrella. Are you sure that is approved? You should ask the LCA next time you see them just to make sure.

A fleece on the walkaround? Totally cool. Walking through the terminal? Take that dumb sh** off.

second that like button

Yup. And why Delta pilots have the reputation that we do.

Meh, having come from another Legacy, everyone has their 1%ers. But I'm thinking we may be being trolled here...but not completely sure lol.

Exactly . I get paid to be a Captain as far as flying and safety. Not my job to be uniform police . I mean if the FO/ CA was wearing leather Dungarees then I might say , hey we gotta talk 😂

Hello and welcome. I'll give you the Flight Ops Manual answer

​​​​​​- Sweater: can be black. Pullover or cardigan. Can be worn in the flight deck or just out of customers view

- Raincoat: black poly/cotton blend trench-style and single or double breasted

​​​​​​- Overcoat: black wool or wool blend single or double breasted

-scarf: black white or grey

-Caps: dark blue or black if outside conditions require

-Gloves: black

The manual also says not to mix non uniform items with items that identify you as a DL pilot. So you can put a jacket on, zip it, take your hat off and TADAH! you are now again in compliance
​​

It also says your shoes can’t have a seam on the toes, they must be plain. You going to enforce that too, or are you selective in what illicits your outrage?

Wait till he finds out my pants are not from the uniform approved vendor.