Professionalism is an attitude that comes from within. It's not about the company, your paycheck, mgmt etc. It's why you fly 121 instead of making more money flying seminoles at vero beach and being home every night. It's why a private in the military presses his uniform and shines his boots everyday, even though they make less than an FO. Everyone in this industry had taken a beating, and probably more of the older folks than the younger. They still show up well dressed, prepared and operate safely everyday. Deep down inside we all still have a love for this profession, or we would have left. It still has its mystique, and lore. It's why we wear a uniform and fly safe everyday, instead of being McManagers. Find one thing in your job to take pride in everyday and help raise this back to being the proud profession it once was. Reading the ALPA Code of Ethics is a good place to start

I personally have seen way more unprofessionally dressed mainline guys to be perfectly honest, not to mention the half dozen FANNY PACKS I see mainline pilots rocking as I walk through DFW the six times a month as I go through there! come on now whats worse a FANNY PACK or a backpack! HILARIOUS THOUGH!

I think this is worse that the fanny pack, but just my thoughts:
Was on a DTW-TPA NWA flight and the FO, who looked to be early to mid 50's, must have tipped the scales at 400 lbs. Seriously, I cannot see how he passes a Class 1 physical. The funny part was the suspenders he was wearing to hold up his pants and the half untucked shirt. I know some people have weight issues, but if your going to greet pax at the door, have a little pride in your appearance!

There just might be a reason why they're wearing those fanny packs, and its a lot more professional than any backpack.

Pretty sure the reason privates press the uniform and shine the boots is the fact that MGT is in their face if they don't (God forbid the Chief should see them let alone the Sgt leading them)

Unless you've been flying the trip with the various pilots being judged, you've got absolutely no idea when they arrived for duty, whether it's the beginning of their day or the end, whether they're working or trying to commute home after a 12 hour day. No idea whether they looked pretty good until they did that pre-flight in the rain, taking the time to make sure the plane was safe to fly and getting soaked rather than doing the run around just to fill the square.

I would rather have an individual who is professional in his approach to work and less than stellar in his appearance than the one who is anal retentive in his appearance and lackadaisical in his approach to work.

An individual who is professional in their demeanor doesn't need the crutch of a perfectly starched shirt to present a professional appearance.

There's a reason the expression "Don't judge a book by it's cover" has been around for so long.

I do agree the IPOD through the terminal is less than professional. I don't think it is unprofessional in appearance, but, IMO-those wearing the phones are effectively hiding from interacting with the populace to avoid all the stupid where's the bathroom, baggage claim, all the idiotic questions ad infinitum.
At the same time, the headphones are likely a good breather for those folks who need the stress relief....if for no other reason than to avoid telling the pax what they really think. And no doubt in language that would be less than professional.

You certainly have part of that - and there is the bottom 10% that probably need that Sgt (or Chief) to keep on their case; but in MY experience - they do it out of Esprit De Corps and the desire to be **professional**. IMO.

There is a point where the cross over appears - but in many ways these people are one in the same.

USMCFLYR

I'll stop wearing ear buds while walking through the terminal when passengers stop wearing sweat pants to the airport. Whoever has a problem with iPod usage in the terminal must not have airport reserve at their airline. Without a little escape from announcements and stupid questions I'm not sure I could survive a 10 hour airport reserve assignment.

what is with people bashing on ipods all the time... welcome to the 21st century people we arent in the 1960s anymore

Sounds like alot of you guys thought you were only hired to fly a plane from A to B...

Does your airline not provide a crew room or rest area away from the general public for pilots sitting airport reserve?

Welcome to the working world, you're not in high school or college anymore.