Flight 3407 Funeral attire
 

I don't know any details on the funeral information on our lost friends and family, but have requested it once it becomes available.

Fortunately I have never done this before, and hope to never have to do it again. Would it be inappropriate to attend the funeral in my pilot uniform? Or should I plan on attending in a formal suit? I would like to honor his memory by attending in my Colgan Air uniform, but I'm not sure if that would be an inappropriate time to display it.

Anyone that has had the unfortunate task of attending something like this care to shed any insight would be appreciated.

I would really like to hear from my Colgan brothers and sisters :)

I have never had to attend a funeral for a fellow pilot, but I do know some folks who have and they did attend in uniform and there were a number of other pilots from various other airlines in uniform...hope this helps

God be with the souls of those on board as well as family and friends involved

Can't speak for Colgan, but full uniform, in my eyes, would be a gesture of utmost respect. Just my 2 cents.

Please accept my sympathies.

Thank you both very much for your replies. He was truly a great pilot and an even better friend. I will be wearing my uniform to honor his memory.

captain152, I'm very sorry for your loss....my prayers are with you

As far as I know, any pilot attending another pilots funeral should be in uniform....I believe it falls along the same lines as a police officer or firefighter attending a fellow police officer of firefighter's funeral

Thank you very much outofwork for your kind words. I don't envy your position and I sympathize with where you are. I hope you get some good news in the not too distant future :)

I also have the same view point on being in uniform during this type of funeral. The first thing that came to mind was a police officer/firefighter's funeral.

Again, Thank you and take care!

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Captain152,

I attended the funeral of a fellow pilot in 2007. Almost every pilot there was in full uniform. I think it would be a wonderful gesture, and highly encourage you and every pilot attending to go in full uniform. It will be hard to attend the funeral but it will help you begin to mourn.

Thank you.

I will definitely plan on being in full uniform. Now I can only hope that I can get the time off in order to attend. I know that Colgan will not grant everyone the day off in order to attend since the show must go on. All I can do is hope for the best.

Call in sick if you have to.. There are some things in life that must come before work at any airline, and i think this is one of those things.

I know you guys just got ALPA spinning up there, but you may want to ask your reps if they would consider honoring your fellow Brother and Sister by organizing somewhat of a color guard. All the pilots at the funeral I attended(myself included) wore full uniform(including hats) & white gloves. We accompanied the casket down the isle, and sat in the same rows. It was organized by several of our reps, and the family was extremely touched. I think it would be a great way to honor our fallen Crew.

thats a great idea, i would be honored to stand in such a place for a fallen comrade, however, if you do it for the CA, make sure it gets done FOR THE ENTIRE CREW, FO and FA's alike. it would be hugely insulting if you didnt.

Absolutely. They ALL deserve it.

I completely agree and was planning on doing just that. The problem is I have to nonrev/JS to the funeral. Oh well I'm sure I can get some time off or at least trip trade with someone who could help.

That is an absolutely fantastic idea. Even if we couldn't get a color guard going, just having all the pilots and FAs he knew there in uniform would mean the world to his family. I can only hope that the other crew members receive the same respect and honor.

Well spoken.

Did one of the crew live in TPA? Is the funeral in TPA? if so , I'll dust off my furloughee uniform and be there.

of course, when i say "you" i mean alpa. other than perhaps contacting them and sharing the idea, you (singular) shouldnt be the one to organize it, you have a lot on your mind already.:(

my sincere condolences.

Marvin lived just north of TPA in Lutz. One of his kids went to school with the neighbor's kids.

A few years ago when we lost two of our brothers from Skyway Airlines everyone attended in uniform. At Travis Cates' funeral in Kansas the family had all of us stand as an honor guard when he was brought from the church to the hearse. Quite a touching experience.

When C.W. Fortney was killed on the OH flight a couple years ago folks from FL, TZ, AA, YX, AL and UA all showed up in uniform. It's a nice way to show solidarity.

I think you should go in uniform for sure.

Where/When are the funeral services being held ?

I plan on attending the funeral. If nothing else I think it would be a lasting memory for his children to see those who worked with their dad and how he touched all of our lives.

I can not speak for your FOM, but ours clearly states that you may wear your uniform to a funeral. Look it up and it might state the same in yours. I wore mine during a similar event, as well as every other pilot they worked with. The families of the fallen ones appreciated it more than I thought was possible.

Comair had back-to-back memorial services for Jeff (the Captain) and Kelly (the Flight Attendant) from 5191. The company requested that pilots wear full uniform including blazer (this was August).

I'm still very appreciative for the dozens of pilots from other airlines that attended. We had black with gold, black with silver, blue, and even some brown.

I would imagine ALPA and Colgan are working on the details right now, in addition to all the rest.

Would someone from Colgan post dates and details when they become available?

Hey Colgan guys if you hear about any services in BUF please post... I live here and I would love to show my respects to our fallen bothers and sisters...

PNCLCREW

Sorry for our loss

I currently have a student who is a police officer and we talked about 3407 a little this morning and he said its a lot like when an officer is lost in the line of duty, it really makes you realize what is truly important in life.

CJC 3407 R.I.P.

What about a furloughed OH pilots attending??? I've been watching all day with my heart sinking with each story?

I don't think anyone who cares to show their support for the families of those lost are going to be turned away.

When details are shared it will be posted here.

I think as long as it is cleared with the Airlines HR Department then it shouldn't be an issue.
I can't see an Airline pursuing disciplinary action against a pilot for wearing his uniform at a funeral.

I lost one of my best friends, Matt Sailor (American Eagle J-32 Crash RDU he was the f/O) in 1994. We attended his Funeral along with several pilots all from different carriers, his dad was a NWA guy and really appreciated the gesture.

I would wear the Uniform

WEAR IT as best you can, clean cut hair cut, polished shoes and dry cleaned uniform.

Have names been released yet?I plan on attending all four funerals.Just need more when and where info.

Have we started passing the hat for them? It would be nice if all of us at Colgan chipped in a couple hours of pay for the families.

Id like to contribute as well

In terms of calling in sick and jumpseating, just travel earlier on days off, then once you are there call in sick the next day you are on duty. People get sick away from home all the time...;)

When a friend of mine who had worked at Petroleum Helicopters with me passed away from a truck accident, his family called me up and SPECIFICALLY asked me to wear my airline uniform to his services. My friend always told his family of his "airline buddy" and that's how they wanted me to be seen at his funeral. Look sharp, and it WILL show the utmost respect for our fallen friends. Please pass along our sincerest condolences to the families if you are able to attend. The whole aviation community is mourning this tragic loss. :(

I will get in touch with my ALPA brethren on Monday and check on this Emergency Relief Fund. I donated money to that, but if something else would be more appropriate I'll do that too. I want to make sure the families are taken care of. I guess funeral costs these days can be pricey, and I don't know who pays for things like this, but regardless I know they have a lot on their shoulders right now so any help I can be would make me feel better about it.

Edit: And this thread (and the others) has really touched me. All those miserable words we say to each other in other threads, and I thought I didn't like any of you guys - but now you all have successfully made me cry tonight with all this. I think that speaks volumes. Thanks guys, it's really nice to see this side of you all, and to know that we still care about one another. I'll definitely be thinking about all this when I return to work tomorrow.

So no names?

You can find them in the other threads. I'm sure their names will appear again when the specific arrangements for each crewmember are made public.

They have been released. I don't have the names, but you can find them in the latest ALPA National email.

I agree. I think all of us should do whatever we can to help the families of this tragic event as much as possible. Please let me (and all of us) know what I can do to help.