Poolies and new hires,

Particularly the military folk who've never owned a shirt with epaulets, did you wait until after indoc to purchase uniform attire? I don't want to get the cart before the horse as I still have ~3 months until indoc, but I'm just trying to do some budgeting.

Do they tell you at indoc good places to pick up your uniform? Did you just wear a nice button up shirt, tie, and slacks at indoc? How much did the entire uniform cost? Did you purchase short and long sleeve shirts? I did some searching on other threads and it seems Abbott's is the most expensive but their quality has been waning in the past few years. Any other suggestions?

 

Listen to the 121 guys in your class about short vs long sleeves. I would be surprised if Delts doesn't have their own uniform supplier you will meet with at some point to order what you need.

 

During Indic you'll get presentations from the approved vendors. I believe everyone of them (3 IIRC) has a physical location close to VA Ave. I'd wait until hearing them out because some offer good package prices. If you haven't been told, you are on your own for all uniform costs.


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Three approved vendors will visit. Most everybody wears short sleeves year-round. If I had it to do over again, I'd just buy the jacket and hat from one of the vendors, then:
- Black no-iron slacks from JCP or similar.
- Shirts, epaulettes, and tie from one of the myriad online vendors. I've tried several shirts including the Crew Outfitters comfort collar. I've returned to the Van Heusen Commander. You can get them for under $20 including shipping online.
- If you've got a black belt with a brass buckle, you're gtg there.
- Black airline-friendly oxfords or Ariat Roper boots.

For the rest of your questions, this is about a year old but still pretty accurate.

UPFRONT COSTS (And you thought you’d be a rich airline pilot)

• ~$500 for Uniforms. Many options available to spend more or less than this. There are three major/approved suppliers of DAL uniforms, all within walking distance of the training center.
  
• ~$300-2000 Housing during Training. Hotel provided during indoc (1st 10 days). Not provided during ~20 days of classroom/sim training.
  
• Food during training. You’ll get a few meals provided. Some of the hotels include breakfast. Otherwise, it depends on how you eat.
  
• If you go offsite for training, you get both a hotel and per diem. Lucky you.
  
• ~$300+ if you’re going the standard LuggageWorks rollaboard. Other popular option is Strongbags. Some guys just get the Costco/Sam’s Club $99 special and return it when it dies. Wait till you know your aircraft assignment, and talk to your mentor. If you get the 7ER category, you may want to get the international (larger) size. Note: the standard-sized LW/Strong Bag fits on DAL 737s - you don’t need to get the 737-specific sized one.
  
• DAL supplies headsets on all the planes. Your choice if you want to buy your own headset. Again, I’d suggest waiting till you get your aircraft assignment, and maybe until IOE so you can get an idea of whether you’re happy with what’s provided or would like your own. Plus, most Capts have their own, and you can ask to try out different models. If you do buy your own, DAL requires TSOd headsets.
  

 

All great advice. Thanks gents!

 

As a 10 yr regional guy I'll save you the trouble. Look no further than A Cut Above, acutaboveuniforms.com for shirts. They have the best bar none. I suggest a cotton synthetic blend. (S2 or Nimbus tapered or fitted). They have nice ties too. I personally don't care for long sleeves, your choice, but most guys wear short. The cuffs tend to get brown. As far as pants go, they have some also. I prefer crewoutfitters pants myself. Both are a poly wool blend, very ideal for airline uniforms. If u have any more questions send me a message. Otherwise I'll see you guys in class.

 

Interview suit day one of Indoc and for the dinner. Everything else is business casual. No jeans. Collared Button down or polo shirt. 5 shirts and 3 pants and you are gtg.

You will also have plenty of time to get the stuff you need. I bought most of it while in sim training.

 

First of all, the "uniform" during training and around the school house during indoc, systems and sims is business casual. Collared shirt (button down or polo), nice pants, NO jeans, professional looking shoes.

As far as uniforms for the line, the three approved vendors (Abbott, Crew Outfitters and one other one) do come in during the first week of indoc to give you their presentations on packages and such. Doesn't really matter when you order the uniform, just be sure to have it by the start of IOE. I think the best time to order your uniform is near the beginning of systems. Here's my thinking: you will have an opportunity to stop into the vendors along Virginia Ave., look at the items up close, try 'em on and compare. This will also give you a few weeks of lead time to get items ordered, delivered to the shop, you'll still be local for any alterations and then get things in place (such as mailed home) for IOE. I don't know about the other places, but Abbott has the items sent to the shop off Virginia Ave., does any alterations needed and then ships it wherever you want. All included in the price and took about 4-5 weeks from order to arriving at my doorstep.

Each of the vendors do offer packages in the $500 range but the contents of those packages does vary but you don't HAVE to order the package. Personally, I went a la carte and ordered the jacket, a pair of pants (just to try 'em out) and brass from Abbott and the hat from Crew Outfitters (Premier Hat Co.). Being prior 121, I've always bought my pants at Macy's (suit seperates) and my shirts online from Pilot House. As far as shirts and pants, just find something that fits your personal preference. And you will develop a preference. It seems like every 6 months there's a thread on pilot shirts, just do a search if you're curious. Same with luggage and security friendly shoes.

If you are coming out of the military and starting from scratch, at a minimum you will need a jacket, 2-3 pairs of pants, 4-5 shirts (most guys go short sleeves), hat, brass/name plates, tie, belt, shoes. You can expect to spend about $600-700 once you include luggage and shoes and such. If you want a fancy laptop bag or cooler bag, add another $100. Definitely definitely definitely get some advice on what you REALLY need as far uniforms and what really works as far as luggage from the prior 121 guys. And for the love of god, don't go cheap on luggage! Hopes this helps.

 

Oh yeah, forgot about that! You WILL need a suit and tie day one.

 

I personally had a horrible experience with Abbots package deal. Nothing fit right...but they have a tailor on site, so it's all good. Not! They measured me, pinned jacket pants and shirts, tailored them and shipped it all to my house. Groovy I thought.

It all drowned me. When I went back to training, I took them all in for a second fitting and re-alteration. Still didn't fit right.

Had to get a local seamstress to alter the pants a third time.

My advice...Go to crew outfitters for the package deal. Get extra shirts online and extra black pants from Kohl's, JC Penny's, Macy, wherever. I'm still wearing my black patent leather uniform shoes I was issued in ROTC 25+ years ago. Work great and broken in. With about 1/4 inch of polish on them, I won't ever put polish on them again...just buff em out! Though, I will probably end up with Ropers eventually.