Hi all, I'm a new FO at Colgan, based in IAD. Got my uniform package that I had to order during training, and naturally only the tie, hat and jacket fit. So I've got some questions that someone may be able to help me with.

Any other sources for the pants? M&H is the company we ordered from. Anyone just buying off the shelf pants from a local store that matches up? It would be nice to be able to try them on before buying.

How about jackets? The FOM mentions that we can wear a leather jacket, does anyone in Dulles wear one? I'm thinking that it gets pretty cold on the routes I'll be flying and the jacket and overcoat I bought really don't provide much warmth for those preflight walk arounds. A nice lined leather jacket seems like it would be much better. I saw that the stopover store has a pretty good price on them.

Thanks for the advice in advance. Haven't started IOE yet, but want to get everything in order before I do.

 

At 17,000K a year your talking about buying a leather jacket... why dont you just put a jacket in your bag and use that on the walk around. I wouldnt spend 400$ on leather jacket for a walk around.
You have to start thinking about any way you can to save money. I would start with that leather jacket.

 

Agreed. Save your pennies. Use your current jacket/sweater/sweatshirt and beanie combo to keep your cold broke ass warm! I did IOE at IAD in Jan 2007... it was C O L D.

 

Leather jackets are not real warm. Only meant for looking cool.
They are also heavy and bulky in your suit case. Ask me how I know.

 

Thank you for your concern, but you do not know what my financial situation is.

I was under the impression that it is unacceptable to wear anything other than the approved uniform. That is why I asked the question.

So is it acceptable to wear something beyond the approved list for winter walk arounds? I would rather not have to buy something if I do not have to.

Also, how about the pants? Is everyone just buying from M&H?

 

Ok then... good luck with your OE and your leather jacket.

 

Word here in mesaba land is that we are all going to go black and gold uniforms soon. Buy as little as possible.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the advice.

 

I had a similar problem with M&H uniforms sizing and sent everything back. I couldn't find any off the shelf pants to match and so ended up having to guess the correct new size and luckily got it right. They were quite efficient about getting the new stuff sent out to me for IOE. Send the hat back, not worth the money, i've not seen anyone wear one since I've been here (jun 10). As for the jacket, I had a leather at a previous airline and it worked well enough in the cold, especially with the liner. I'm still trying to figure out if it's acceptable uniform in IAH though!

 

M&H really sucks! I try to buy as little as possible from them. the shirts are junk, the buttons break easy and the collars don;t stay down.

I went into Mens Wearhouse and the guys in there picked out a pair of paints that are exactly identical in color to the jacket (same fabric weave and everything). Way better quality for the same price. Ill try to get the name of them if I can.

As for the leather jacket, you should get one with the big wool collar on it of you want to stay warm. A scarf and goggles will help too.

Seriously man skip the leather. For a while Colgan was giving them out to the senior captains as a longevity award so those guys were the only ones wearing them. New hires kind of look like tools in them IMHO. I fly out of the coldest base in the system and I've never needed anything more than the overcoat with the insulated liner in it.

Good luck on IOE.