Union Gear
 

I saw a few comments about this in other threads so I wanted to break it out. Contract negotiations have kicked off which always begs the question of unity. While we haven't gotten any contract lanyards yet, I have noticed a significant number of pilots, not just new hires, wearing Flight Ops Lanyards. So, do you wear an ALPA lanyard? If not, then why not?

But how will people know I fly the 350 or served in the military or went to x university if I wear an ALPA lanyard?

ALPA lanyard since day two of indoc, initially because the company didn’t give us lanyards and badges until the second week…but I kept wearing an ALPA lanyard and an ALPA pin because I want to show support for the union and fellow pilots.

Just a PSA, I moved a year ago and forgot to change my address on the ALPA website. I didn’t realize until I filed a DART asking them to send me the new swag. So if you move make sure you update that. Carry on.

I never received my Pride lanyard as requested or standard issue face mask, so I’ve been wearing a lanyard I bought from the museum with my MEC pin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpKTODcXMAAPktQ.jpg

Whether we're negotiating currently or not, I always wear my ALPA lanyard. The company will always try to screw us over on any day that ends with "y".

Always. ALPA lanyard and pin

I am fundamentally opposed to lanyards and the choke hazard. Your poll will not reflect my wearing of the pin or bags adorned with ALPA swag. I voted appropriately which will give your poll statistical validity but not accuracy.

Every day since ALPA gave them to my class during Indoc.

Oh to update my address... Thanks for the reminder

I wish I could edit the poll to add include yours. But just to clarify, all lanyards I've gotten in the last few years have all had break away pins in the back.

Always wear my pin(star one for the strike of 1998, or my years of membership one), but not normally not a lanyard guy. Clipped to pocket, but do wear the lanyard during contract time.

Just an observation during indoc and IQ… but I was shocked at the lack of support being shown around Virginia Ave. It’s not just new hires. I haven’t seen more than a couple ALPA lanyards for those here for CQ and I’ve yet to come across an SLI wearing ALPA gear. Maybe it’s the fact we are on company property and people are shy? To me, that’s all the more reason to wear it.

Choke hazard was my excuse. I hate things hanging on me. Tie comes off as soon as I am out of public view, no watches or chains etc. Wedding ring stays on for cultural norms. I considered doing a ring tattoo instead but my wife was opposed.

Yeah the stats on pilot asphyxiation by lanyard are insane.

CASC until negotiating lanyard arrives.
'Years of service' ALPA pin at the 'V' above ID.
I put my president's circle PAC sticker on last year's PAC bag-tag (no bag tag last year. :( ) and it's now accompanied by the 'C2026' yellow tag.
I wish I saw more ALPA PAC stickers/tags. Gotta protect the profession.

I know, I should "work on my pieces of flare". ;)

The blue lanyard that says “Veteran” is an ALPA lanyard….

Just curious- where do you guys put the ALPA pin? I want to put it on my uniform shirt but don’t know where it’s most appropriate/visible. I’d put it on my lanyard but I feel like it’s more visible on the shirt.

...tie tack

I put it on my tie. Sticks out great against the black tie.

I've been trying to get my hands on one of those, where do you get/request one?

I think most LECs have them in stock and bring them to the lounge during lounge days. They usually advertise when they'll be in the lounge in their comms.

Oh yeah, I was thinking of the FLY NAVY or Marine ones I keep seeing. Surprisingly I don't really see any Air Force ones.

It's really embarrassing how many more United pilots have at every step in the yearly roll call of PAC contributions.

Almost 20 years at Mother D and I'm still shocked and saddened at the lack of ALPA pins. When I was a newhire I heard a lot of "ALPA gave away my pension," but there really is no excuse for the younger guys. Everyone wore one at my regional and we made 1/4 the pay.

Agreed. I think our ALPA guys could do a better job of communicating to new hires that wearing the pin on their ties is appreciated. But I rarely see older guys wearing the pin either...so I'm not sure what the problem is here.

I'm guilty of this. I don't normally wear pins but stick one on during section 6. I think the effort to show support and the net change in total group display percentage is key. The significance of the change in participation gets attention IMHO.

Call 800 USA ALPA, or email your reps and ask to have one sent to you via mail.

Thanks guys, will do.

I'm an old guy and I have never not worn the pin, During blazer season it makes a great contrast on your lapel. An ALPA pin on one side and a Delta pin on the other (yes, I'm still proud to be a Delta pilot and Delta is still a great company, warts and all).

I have worn the Delta Pilot's Charitable Fund lanyard for several years. It is an ALPA lanyard, sort of, but I have found several occasions to chat up the DPCF just because someone noticed my lanyard.

So...shameless plug time. I highly encourage everyone to look into a small ($5-10 a month) contribution to the DPCF. It was founded by the Delta pilots in the late 90s, and by charter the funds go to charities that directly support children. It is a very worthy cause and the DPCF has made a lot of great contributions over the years.

I see more AF ones than navy. Most of those are academy ones (which checks).

On a similar note, I'm shocked at the sparsity of new yellow bag tags out in the wild.

I've been surprised by that too. Probably 1 out of 10 pilot bags I've seen have them on.

Mine is on my “kit bag” not my actual suitcase, mostly because my cooler bag rides on top of my suitcase. Couple people Ive seen them on whatever secondary bag they have too.

Got mine on my backpack which rests on the j hook of my cool guy pilot luggage.

I don't wear a lanyard unless I'm out of uniform commuting, in which case it's the ALPA one. But I do have the yellow bag tag and sticker, plus a DAL pilots don't drink the kool-aid bag tag.

Always use an ALPA landyard, no pin and my yellow tag is in my bag. Can’t wait for a yellow landyard 2026.

If you're out of uniform, why the F are you outwardly wearing your name tag+lanyard? Your incognito cover is blown!


I know company actually states not to display it out of uniform.. but I say don't do it for the same reason you wouldn't wear your hat while seated on your DH.

Wait. You guys don't do this?

Yep it's against company policy to have your ID displayed in the terminal or while non revving out of uniform unless you're jumpseating. Idk why so many guys do it.