boilerpilot

You know, I agree with all that's been said about judging younger pilots when most of the old pilots look crappy too. I mean, what a great example when you have a 300 lbs Captain wearing what could only be a shirt crafted from a stained sail and worn, faded, patchy, un-ironed JC Penny brand dark blue Khakis. There are people on both sides of the spectrum who do a disservice to the profession and themselves by looking dumpy, and frankly I doubt that either side of this generational gap will be willing to give up any ground. I mean, some of you are walking stereotypes ("Cut your damn hair, hippie!"), no offense.

There IS one thing that I've noticed hasn't come up in these arguments, and that is: What about these airplanes that we're flying? Paint flaking off, broken seats (hello! that's revenue!), dirt, grime, lavs smelling like death itself came and did his business in there, missing fairings in the cabin, greased up windows, I mean, the list goes on, and we're not even talking about when you look up into the cockpit and see worn seats and a veritable Christmas tree of MX Deferrals. Don't you think that has much more of a negative impact on the "professionalism" than if a shirt is somewhat wrinkled (which, by the way, will only be seen when the pilots are walking around, and with quick turns being what they are, when do pilots ever get to do that). If I'm part of the flying public and get on the airplane and the first thing I see is that the floor mat has been torn and duct taped down to try and prevent tripping, I would be much more concerned about that than if I happened to see a wrinkled shirt or (gasp) no hat on a pilot.

Just my thoughts. There's far worse about this industry's image than a young skinny guy wearing his belt too tight.

gsphuntr

I take my skateboard if I'm goin to a city with a Vans Skate Park. What's wrong with that? Are you jealous you have no youth left? I've recieved nothing but positive feedback from PAX. I tell em it's my mode of tansportation because fuel prices are out of control - they laugh. Now if he was riding it through the terminal - thats a different story.

bustinmins

I think it all started when "kids" began wearing their belt loops across their ass and proudly displaying their boxers to the world.....and then called it "Fashion".

Personally, I don't care what you want to look like...so long as you can fly the airplane single-engine, on-fire and with a load of ice.....but it would go a long way in negotiations if you didn't march in a union line looking like you do when you go to work. Though it would be cool to see about 200 pilots riding their skateboards in a circle holding up signs....

gintasr

I care about more important things than how it look. For instance, my salary.

1900luxuryliner

I think 1900 drivers get a free pass on this one. Try hand flying 8 hours, 10 legs, 14 hours of duty, in the weather, in the ice, in the mountains, in the turbulence, no APU, no flight attendant, no nothing, all with 4 hours of sleep the previous night, because you woke up at a time when any normal person would go to bed (run-on, I know). Sometimes there isn't time for lunch during a 14 hour duty day, because of weather, maintenance, etc., let alone time to pull out the handy dandy iron and starch, and crisp up that uniform. I love my job, but it is hard work. I would guess that what 1900 drivers do takes a little more out of ya than twisting knobs onto straight-in ILSs for 3 legs/ day. Just a guess....Not saying we know more, are better pilots, etc. Just saying we work hard. Worry about yourself, set an example, and if you are worthy of respect, people will look up to you and follow your lead.

stoki

1900s are bad ass. I usually hand fly up to w/e our cruising altitude is, then 5 minutes after leveling off usually turn on the auto pilot and usually kick it off when cleared the approach... once in a while if its a short hop ill hand fly the whole thing... but it is a lot of work, and takes a lot out of you. Respect to the guys who do it all day every day.

camba0a6

Amen! I just did 2 months of flying out in St Louis in 95F temps with the heat index well into 100s! Flying 11 leg days, yes 11 legs, with the sweat dripping down your face and back, let me tell you, I dont exactly look stellar! I try to do my best to look good when I can, but a lot of times, I am just too hot and bothered to look sharp! If my tie is on, and my shirt tucked in all the way around, its a good day for me! Let me say this though, I am one who prides in the uniform and any time I am able to look good in it (jumpseating, first flight of the day, etc...) I do. While I am not going to critique others on the way they look, this is what I do myself!

The Juice

Zip tie knots always look good!

ERJ Driver

Hey mins- nice to see ya! How goes the world of boxes?

Redwood

Its all about appearances....maybe those of you who don't understand that, will grow up one day.

One of the most common arguments here in this thread is equally the most asinine...and it plays to the tune "I could care less about how I look, I'd rather complain about pay-when pay goes up my standards will follow" .....asses