themctm

Great attitude. Please find another profession.

SmitteyB

Backpacks have got to go. And leather jackets.

flynwmn

how about the guys that haven't ordered new shirts in 10 or 15 years. aren't our shirts suppose to be white, (blue if you're jet blue)

Airbum

I love my leather jacket and backpack oh and the led flashlights. I gave up on EFB a few years ago.

Rightseat Ballast

Every example of unprofessional appearance I have seen from a regional pilot, I have also seen from a major pilot. Backpacks, unpressed shirts, sunglasses being worn inside, frayed pants, wrong colored pants, brown belts and shoes that should be black, iPods, all of it. Pilots are passive-agressive people, and we rarely interact with our bosses. We show our independence by not complying with uniform standard in our own way. Likewise, we change call outs to something of the same meaning but more entertaining, we deviate from profiles without just cause, and we disregard "stupid" memos and bulletins. Its all passive-aggressive behavior, and it is encouraged by our peers. To make it worse, we rarely are seen or observed by our bosses, (CP, DO, Check Airmen, etc), and therefore we rarely face correction or discipline. We know how to do our jobs right, which is why we straighten up and fly our recurrent sims and line checks perfectly in accordance with our books, and then go on our next trip and goof around in some way. We all know better, and yet we all choose to act out. We are the reason we are unprofessional. It has nothing to do with pay (once you are off first year pay, at least. new guys can hardly afford new luggage or new uniforms or an iron). We all put on our best professional acts when we were flight instructors, or interacting with charter clients.

Perhaps the lack of a military background in most pilots hired since the mid 1980's is the cause. When a disciplined past was common among 75% of airline pilots, non-military pilots just fell in line with the majority.

Or, perhaps our companies just don't care. It is too expensive to care. Look around you at work. Remember when ramp workers actually wore a standard uniform, and tucked in their shirts? Remember when gate agents would actually make an effort to come to work looking like they came from home and not some all night bar?

Or, it could just be our culture, and not just pilots. Casual fridays, business casual attire, jeans at work, jeans at church... America is caught up in trying to be casual. There is no pride in formality. There is no pride in self image. Its all about being "hot", being the rebel, or being the slacker. We all try to get away with something for the sport of it, like 6 year olds who don't want to wear a nice shirt and tie to Christmas dinner. Proper appearance used to command respect. Now, a professional image makes others look at you as some crabby old kook. Defiance is cool. It gets you more respect from junior co-workers. It asserts your authority. When did this happen?

Southwest pilots were the cool kids who didn't wear hats and had leather jackets. They were a cross between war pilots of old, the american cowboy, and the high school bad kid. I remember pilots making fun of them. Now, many pilots want to be them. Major airline pilot groups have removed the hat from the uniform, and added the leather jacket. You are more likely to see sky caps wearing a hat than certain pilot groups. We present an image to the public, and we live that image. Our attitudes are undermining us, and unfortunately there is no one to make us do otherwise except ourselves.

pokey9554

How many times have you flown with the FO/CA who wears his uniform perfect, hat is pulled down slightly in the front to make him look sharp, blazer is perfectly ironed and aligned with the shirt, posture is great, and HE CAN'T FLY WORTH CRUD and has a bad attitude. I don't care what you look like. "Do I trust my family on your airplane?" is the question I ask.

I wouldn't blame it on the lack of military experience either. My company has their fair share of the above example as well.

ZDub

I prefer to think of it as a solar panel for a think tank. When my people inherit the earth, you follicle'd types better prey we have mercy.

PCLCREW

Look around... you will see more "older mainline" pilots wearing hats, and many many have backpacks.
The IPOD thing is stupid I agree...
But a backpack attached to your bag??? Who cares! its cheaper to buy a backpack then it is to buy a 50$ tiny dufflebag in one of these overpriced "crew stores"
and who has time to iron a shirt when your in the hotel for 6 hours and have to sleep because you have a 12+ hour day following.

Another stupid thread in the regional forum.

DashDriverYV

I'm flying with the "industry leading" lowest paid turboprop and about to be furloughed, and I would be ashamed to show up to work with a disheveled uniform. I worked to hard to get into this industry and I'm not going to let any management take away my pride.
Your uniform is a reflection of you and you attention to detail. If you think otherwise, show up to your next interview wearing what you do now and see if you get the job.
If this offends you, GOOD. Get out of this profession and let people who treat it as such have your seat!

Laxrox43

I can honestly say that I don't bring an iPod to work, and my uniform is ironed with heavy starch before each trip. I get compliments and thank-you's from crews and pax alike because I look my best. Take pride in your job. Don't make excuses on why you shouldn't dress the part, because that is giving people a reason to pre-judge us as a whole...

Think about it...

PS. Fo-hawks look retarted when wearing a pilot's uniform. GET YOUR FREEKING HAIR CUT!!!