The article was written for the general public, thus won't apply to most airline pilots

Airline Pilot Layover Fashion advice:

• Think twice before reaching for that 1980's Member's Only jacket.
  
• Leave the blue raincoat in your room unless it's covering your pilot uniform.
  
• If you've been packing the same layover clothes for the past several years, trust me, it's time to go shopping.

who's got more?

 

What about Crocs? During our 2 week long summer here in NH I live in mine when I'm at home. They are black and I do not wear socks.

 

For new hires everywhere,

• Don't wear your pilot hat with 'civilian' clothes.

 

White sneakers, with black uniform socks isn't a fashion statement. It's a fashion catastrophe.

 

Don't carry a backpack?

Apply some deodorant. Sweat stains that spread to your stripes are unsightly.

Avoid very tight fitting pants. I heard a story once when the guy bent down when he heard a rip (no, not the gassy kind). He also had on white shorts so it was very evident his black pants had torn open. So maybe you should wear shorts the same color as your pants?

I'm sure airlines won't allow this, but I can't stand guys who wear their shirts open enough to expose their hirsute-ness and that biggest faux pas of all - the thick gold chain necklace. God almighty, that is gross.

 

I'm not carrying a leather bag no matter what the fashionistas say. Sounds like a man-purse to me. I'll stick with my cargo pants thank you.

 

No, it's a men's carryall!

I thought as long as your belt matched your shoes than all was well?

 

I carry one at work, it holds 40 lbs of books and attaches to my roller suitcase

 

that is funny you should mention that.. because just a few days ago we were sitting in the cockpit while the pax started walking out to the plane... then we see this jumpseater, with the top three buttons of his uniform shirt UNBUTTONED (I guess he was going for the 'rumpled, carefree and brawny' look?) and a big glaring gold chain hanging out. (he had the epaulets on and all.) My captain just shook his head silently but I on the other hand couldn't stop laughing. I mean, just.. wth??! I couldn't help but wonder what kind of bootleg operation this dude worked for, but when we looked at his jumpseating form, it was actually one of the top regionals!

as far as the sweat stains go... I actually researched this a while back. I could be mistaken, but I think those stains are the result of alcohol based deodorant mixing with sweat, not the sweat itself. Which makes sense, because then why wouldn't neck line for example be just as stained? I mean guys sweat there just as much if not more because the neck line is pressed to the skin even more than the armpit area.
some people def. need the deodorant though.. it's not fun being forced to sniff someone's BO while flying with them all day long in that tiny little shared space.

 

I was at IAH last night when two CAL FOs approached the gate agent wanting to get on. One FO was remarkable in that his uniform pants were, well, a bit short and I could see his shoes and socks quite clearly. At least the socks were not white. I've seen guys wear "floods" before, but there was a real flood, not walking around the airport in uniform.

Drifting a bit here - if the CAL FO on flight 366 yesterday is a member of APC, I just want to say - you are cute! Several other passengers I did not know even commented about it.