AA Uniforms
03-18-2015, 02:12 PM
#1
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AA Uniforms
Where are these rashes to be found?
Pilots to American Airlines: Try again on new uniforms
1/1
/American Airlines
Testers have complained that some of the proposed uniforms are drab, so the airline says it may add a “pop of color.” The double-breasted look didn’t wow them either.
By TERRY MAXON [email protected]
Staff Writer
Published: 16 March 2015 09:09 PM
Updated: 17 March 2015 10:50 AM
Related
“While individual perspectives varied, the consensus is that the uniforms as tested are unacceptable and management needs to identify a new uniform vendor,” the Allied Pilots Association told members in a hotline message last week. “The testers cited concerns regarding material quality, uniform construction and fit.”
In particular, the uniforms weren’t cut to fit different physiques, from slim to … uh, less slim. Some pilots developed rashes while wearing the new uniforms. The blouses for female pilots were too revealing. The double-breasted coat wasn’t too popular. And they’d like the option of a leather bomber jacket, too.
American is wrapping up a three-month test this week of new uniforms for pilots, flight attendants, gate agents and other employees, with a goal of rolling out the final versions next year. The last time uniforms were redesigned was 20 years ago.
APA spokesman Gregg Overman said the union is confident that all the problems will be sorted out. The pilots are excited about the airline’s direction, he said.
“We certainly embrace the idea that the uniform should reflect status, that we are a global carrier. This is all for a good cause,” he said.
Speaking of the fit problem, Overman said the uniform didn’t take into account that bodies change as people get older.
“We’ve got pilots in their 30s all the way up into their 60s. With that, you’ve got a variety of physiques. So we advocated three distinctively different types of fit: athletic, average and what is termed classic. When we got to the test phase, it became apparent there wasn’t enough range there that accommodates the variety of physiques, both on the male and female sides,” he said.
As to the problem with rashes, Overman said: “Clearly, you don’t want to trigger allergic reactions. We’re talking about something that our pilots will spend a fair chunk of their lives in.
“More than anything, our goal is to get it right. We think the wear test will be very helpful in addressing problems that otherwise would have cropped up after the uniforms were rolled out, and I don’t think anyone wants that,” Overman said.
American spokeswoman Chris Singley said the wear test is working just as the company had hoped by identifying the shortcomings of the uniforms, both for function and for employee acceptance.
“Overall, the comments have been quite positive. But the system is working because we are hearing about all manner of things. Some of them are very complimentary, and there are a couple of things we have as takeaways that we’re going to go and address. But they’re minor, relatively speaking, and nothing that concerns us greatly.”
One complaint by many employees has been that gray pieces in the proposed uniform are drab. Singley said American is looking at adding some “pop of color.”
In addition, she said, the testing has focused not just on how the uniforms look, but how they function. For example, the flight attendants’ uniforms must be stretchy enough to allow them to perform all their functions during a flight.
The uniform designers will take the feedback and try to address them before another wear test, expected to begin in a few months.
Singley said employees are excited about getting new uniforms, as evidenced by the feedback management has been getting.
“Part of that reason is because employees are ready for fresh new change that reflects the brand and the personality of the new American Airlines. This is important to people, and we want to get it right,” she said.
Pilots to American Airlines: Try again on new uniforms
1/1
/American Airlines
Testers have complained that some of the proposed uniforms are drab, so the airline says it may add a “pop of color.” The double-breasted look didn’t wow them either.
By TERRY MAXON [email protected]
Staff Writer
Published: 16 March 2015 09:09 PM
Updated: 17 March 2015 10:50 AM
Related
- American Airlines chief pilot is going back to the cockpit
- American Airlines puts second Boeing 787 into trials
- American Airlines leading fight against three foreign rivals
“While individual perspectives varied, the consensus is that the uniforms as tested are unacceptable and management needs to identify a new uniform vendor,” the Allied Pilots Association told members in a hotline message last week. “The testers cited concerns regarding material quality, uniform construction and fit.”
In particular, the uniforms weren’t cut to fit different physiques, from slim to … uh, less slim. Some pilots developed rashes while wearing the new uniforms. The blouses for female pilots were too revealing. The double-breasted coat wasn’t too popular. And they’d like the option of a leather bomber jacket, too.
American is wrapping up a three-month test this week of new uniforms for pilots, flight attendants, gate agents and other employees, with a goal of rolling out the final versions next year. The last time uniforms were redesigned was 20 years ago.
APA spokesman Gregg Overman said the union is confident that all the problems will be sorted out. The pilots are excited about the airline’s direction, he said.
“We certainly embrace the idea that the uniform should reflect status, that we are a global carrier. This is all for a good cause,” he said.
Speaking of the fit problem, Overman said the uniform didn’t take into account that bodies change as people get older.
“We’ve got pilots in their 30s all the way up into their 60s. With that, you’ve got a variety of physiques. So we advocated three distinctively different types of fit: athletic, average and what is termed classic. When we got to the test phase, it became apparent there wasn’t enough range there that accommodates the variety of physiques, both on the male and female sides,” he said.
As to the problem with rashes, Overman said: “Clearly, you don’t want to trigger allergic reactions. We’re talking about something that our pilots will spend a fair chunk of their lives in.
“More than anything, our goal is to get it right. We think the wear test will be very helpful in addressing problems that otherwise would have cropped up after the uniforms were rolled out, and I don’t think anyone wants that,” Overman said.
American spokeswoman Chris Singley said the wear test is working just as the company had hoped by identifying the shortcomings of the uniforms, both for function and for employee acceptance.
“Overall, the comments have been quite positive. But the system is working because we are hearing about all manner of things. Some of them are very complimentary, and there are a couple of things we have as takeaways that we’re going to go and address. But they’re minor, relatively speaking, and nothing that concerns us greatly.”
One complaint by many employees has been that gray pieces in the proposed uniform are drab. Singley said American is looking at adding some “pop of color.”
In addition, she said, the testing has focused not just on how the uniforms look, but how they function. For example, the flight attendants’ uniforms must be stretchy enough to allow them to perform all their functions during a flight.
The uniform designers will take the feedback and try to address them before another wear test, expected to begin in a few months.
Singley said employees are excited about getting new uniforms, as evidenced by the feedback management has been getting.
“Part of that reason is because employees are ready for fresh new change that reflects the brand and the personality of the new American Airlines. This is important to people, and we want to get it right,” she said.
03-18-2015, 03:19 PM
#2
You scratched my anchor
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,876
Hot button topic. Apparently, the wear testers hated them. The union is up in arms about the quality. I hear the zipper is very short (have to pull pants down to go #1) so you may see American pilots at the airport urinals looking like the kids with the pants around the ankles to pee. Altogether... A mess.
Supposed to hit the masses by 2016.
Supposed to hit the masses by 2016.
03-18-2015, 06:26 PM
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Position: A320 F/O
Posts: 442
Originally Posted by Al Czervik
Hot button topic. Apparently, the wear testers hated them. The union is up in arms about the quality. I hear the zipper is very short (have to pull pants down to go #1) so you may see American pilots at the airport urinals looking like the kids with the pants around the ankles to pee. Altogether... A mess.
Supposed to hit the masses by 2016.
Supposed to hit the masses by 2016.
03-18-2015, 06:35 PM
#5
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,213
In person the pilots uniform is grayer and the stripes aren't as bright. The color looks more like the guy between the two pilots.
It looks better in person but there are significant issues with the uniform. And the look in too monotone, and similar, for agents and F/A's.
It looks better in person but there are significant issues with the uniform. And the look in too monotone, and similar, for agents and F/A's.
03-19-2015, 07:11 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by inline five
As a wear tester I really like them. We lucked out, the male pilot uniforms were the best IMO.
Alaska had uniform problems several years ago. It was apparently a health hazard.
03-19-2015, 09:27 AM
#8
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Joined APC: Aug 2014
Position: A320 F/O
Posts: 442
Originally Posted by vagabond
Yes, but did you get a rash??
Alaska had uniform problems several years ago. It was apparently a health hazard.
Alaska had uniform problems several years ago. It was apparently a health hazard.
Not saying it doesn't happen, hell there are people allergic to wool and cotton.
It's blown way out of proportion by the C&R blowhards.
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