Pop's Leather Jackets
 

I've held out long enough and I'm about to break down and buy one of these jackets that I can't afford. Just curious, is the Calf Skin worth the $95 over the Goat Skin? Anybody with one of these jackets recommend the thinsulate liner also or is the jacket itself warm enough? The company approved jacket is the Pop's Leather one, but I like to show the company the same respect they show me so I am considering Perrone or any other good brand also. Anybody have a preference?

I dunno, I wish we could wear the Bomber type jackets with scarfs and goggles..............that would be awesome

[voice of Stewie]
Leather jackets? Ewwww!
[/voice of Stewie]

Agreed. No airline pilot under forty should wear a leather jacket. Makes you look like a Tom Cruise wannabe tool.

No airline pilot that makes less than a bus driver should be wearing dress coats as well. The leather jacket is a symbol.

I'm over forty. The last two airlines gave me leather jackets. The first one was a Perrone. The thing weights ton and doesn't fold up well. It's cow leather. The last job got me one with a zip out liner but there no name on it. It's goat and much easier to travel with. I only took the liner on the road a couple months.

I have both and Pops is the best. It fits like a glove. Perrone sucks ba!! sacks and only come in what ever size. Pops is fitted to your body size. So when you take it off, its you.

Im under forty and have been considering the leather as well. I could care less how anyone perceives me or what image I give off in my maverickesque jacket.

I am sick of waiting for the van in Canada when it is -20C and freezing to death. Id rather wear leather than wear the Neo style Matrix hang down to my shins all weather coat with the insulation value of a T shirt.

Any airline pilot making less than a bus driver should be wearing a windbreaker instead of a blazer.

So if you make less than a bus driver you should wear a $500 leather jacket. I always love your "logic"

Ah yes, the meas purple windbreaker...I had suppressed that memory :mad:

I just got a "field coat" from an army navy surplus store. I threw my stripes on the epaulets and put my wings from my blazer on the chest pocket. I've gotten nothing but compliments on it and it fits my company's requirements for a trench coat. Its oiled cotton, comes to about mid thigh and has a button out liner. I'd wager its warmer, lighter and more stylish (my personal criteria) than the leather jacket. Flagrant disregard for uniform policy doesn't really do anybody any good, but try and look for other solutions. For instance, a few guys were wearing the commando sweaters long before our uniform provider began selling them.

Seriously, do you expect people to come up to you and say "Oh man, you look like a total tool in that jacket."

Sorry..

Close enough, and only $99...

Amazon.com: Men's Air Force A-2 Flight Leather Bomber Jacket: Clothing

Think of all the 80 year old tail you could score by telling them you were a Doolittle Raider.

A few times when my blazer was getting dry cleaned I wore a plain black jacket and I never once got a compliment, in fact quite a few guys looked at me funny and one guy I flew with told me that I probably should stick to uniform pieces. Maybe our company cultures are different, but I think if somebody had a problem with what I was wearing they'd just tell me. I think guys look kind of silly in their leather jackets and I've never complimented them, is my logic off?

How about something like this?

Men's Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket with Side Laces

Just made a personal visit to swap out Jackets with the Perrone folks, and let me tell you, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better group of people. Obviously a fan of their work, as well -- they'll do good by you. Also, most definately get the liner if you'll be up North in the winter. Definately.

In all fairness, the Leather looks good on a certain type of Pilot...it can look equally poor if the rest of the image is sub-par.

I think it looks better with the hat....not that im a huuuuge hat fan or anything.....im hoping AWAC will finally approve us wearing leather jackets.

I too am considering the jacket I cannot afford. What is the census on goat skin vs calf skin? Which is warmer and which lasts longer? thx.

Mine sits in my closet because it is gay. I'll sell it to anyone who wants it. Worn only once or twice. $100

I am under 40 and I wear a leather jacket.

It's lambskin, designer and last winter I got it for 120 bucks at Macy's.

It was marked down from 495. I had to have the sleeves shortened. I have a surfers build. I get a lot of complements from our CSRs at work. They are female, cute and younger than me.

It is my first leather jacket. I really like it. Most importantly it isn't an aviation leather jacket for pilots.

Now you all just have to get a pair of Leather A$$less Chaps and you could all be a member of the village people.

Trenchcoat looks much better. In fact I saw a Skywest Captain wearing a leather jacket that was a little small for him and wearing his cap at ORD. He looked like a cab driver, way unprofessional.

Just think, if you went down in enemy territory, you could just rip your velcro name patch and rank off so the enemy didn't know who you were!

Im not a fan of the leather jacket, nor the child molester raincoat. I have a really nice pea coat from Banana Repulic that I wear, looks very professional and its very warm.....................however I get yelled at by the Chief Pilots that its not company approved

I love pea coats too, but if I went through SLC with one the uniform police would probably have me taken off the trip and sent back to California to chat with my chief pilot :p They're just jealous because they have no idea how to dress themselves and resent a uniform actually looking good on somebody :D

So since I'm under 40....I should shun the Leather jacket even though the Air Force issued me an A-2 jacket when I was 24?

Some guys are never happy with uniforms. The Blazer makes you look like you're in the Navy (Turns my stomach:D) or Captain of the Love Boat, Leather Jacket a Tom Cruise wannabe. Might as well freeze. You can't win.:cool:

Hit up an Army Navy Surplus store, I'm sure you could find something within your company's parameters that you actually like.

I just got the leather jacket from Stopover Store...$90 off right now w/ zip out liner. Looks good/a bit boxy. All other alternatives aside, it's great. Wouldn't take too much fashion advice from APC...just get what works for ya.

We only have 2 choices, Blazer/overcoat and Leather Jacket. I've been wanting leather to help lighten my load as a commuter. Pure convenience, no style points.

I agree, being based in MSP for 2 year and having the leather jacket makes a difference.

When i was still flying i always used my pea-coat. I bought the trench coat and looked like a freakin bell in it, so i wore it once, and it's now stored (anyone want a blue trench coat 46-R?)

The pea-coat wasn't approved, but looked the part, more professional and could be worn out on the overnights without looking like a tool. If i was still doing it, i'd also try to get a waist length black Eisenhower type pea coat, and one of the navy or black, military sweaters, always thought those looked slick. I never heard anything (from anyone who matters, aka mgt) about my uniform attire, even when talking to them face to face at the airport. Just put on the hat, with the 50 mission crunch, angle it slightly to the side, put a cig in your mouth, and walk in the office like you took out the entire Luftwaffe by yourself, and they basically leave you alone.

The pea coat idea is a pretty solid one. I'll consider that as another option. As for some of the other advice.....it's pretty much what I expected. You never let me down APCers!

Don't know why airlines allow leather jackets in the first place. Looks like butt.

You'll look great walking through the terminal beside your coworker who is wearing the traditional uniform.

Go get'em Mav.

I'd save the money and buy a new bike. Just my humble opinion.

Did you really expect different? lol

Just bought a new bike to race next year, though some new wheels would be nice. Also, the jacket's main purpose will be to keep me warm since I fly a plane with no APU out of Denver into Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, etc. Those pre/postflights get me waaayyyyy cold cause I'm kind of a cold pansy.

A) I don't think that's the kind of bike he meant. 2) I too am a cold pansy, I've had both a traditional blazer/overcoat (which btw I think looks both like a dress and a serial killer) and a leather jacket (which minus the wings and epulettes I would wear out). The Leather jacket is FAR warmer. And for those that think no one wears the leather jackets.... FEDEX is making more money than you.. and they seem to think leather is fine, as do LOTS of corporate pilots. Just sayin.

i have a pops and its great, very tough but very easy to move in and nicely broken in. also have the liner, a definite for Canadian overnights ! I have never been cold in it, even on a -20 montreal stay !

much less work then carrying two jackets of which both need dry cleaned and probably wouldnt stand up to deicing fluid dripping on them. AND you can wear it out on overnights without having the child molester look of the trenchcoat and running shoes haha

Nice but out of place.
 

Leather coats are for military pilots, stick with the blazer the passengers respect it more. :)

Are you talking about the pax who will buy the cheapest fare and wear tank tops with slippers on board complaining about no inflight meals? I'd rather stay warm! Leather should be "required equipment"