Good. Make sure you do that. Makes spotting the tools a lot easier.

The 4th stripe can be removed, and when I was forced to sit back in the right seat I removed it. Do I care if somebody has 4 stripes and is sitting in the right seat no. There is just to much other stuff to worry about around here.

Will you wear four stripes on OE at your next airline too? I mean, you earned that extra stripe.

This tool bags for you....

Well the Company might have a problem with it along with the CA you are flying with. When Pinnacle had street CA's that got downgraded there was an issue with those being FO's and still wearing four strip epaulets. For some reason or another the Company decided to send a MEMO addressing all FO's needed to wear 3 strips.
I'm not sure about the Jacket.

I always like the "deer in headlights" look the gate agents give me when 2 guys show up with 4 stripes....it's like she doesn't want to give the paperwork to either of us.

Is that the case if you got the jacket with 4 stripes on it already? Mine started out as a four stripe one, not a three stripe jacket that I had an extra one sewed on.... If not they need to buy me one

I got downgraded a few years ago also, and I never once wore it after I went back as an FO. I find it funny guys who are still wearing their 4 stripes. Who cares if you earned it, wear the uniform that's your position, not what you were in the past. If you really believe what you said, are you going to wear it for your next airline too? I mean you earned it right? Besides by doing it, what are you trying to prove? is it going to keep you pay check the same? are you trying to impress someone? I don't get what's the point. I will give you a heads up that when Pinnacle downgrade 31 CA a few years back, some guys were still wearing their 4th stripes. It didn't last long. Flight standards knew who these people were and put an end to it, so enjoy it while you can.

Wow! I wonder how quickly you'll be changing this tune...

I also upgraded at 9L pre-merger ('08). I'm fully expecting to be downgraded before this year is over, and when I do I guarantee you I will NOT be wearing 4 stripes in the right seat. That, in my opinion, is HIGHLY disrespectful to the guy sitting next to you. Note - This does NOT pertain to check airman and their jobs.

The dice were rolled and it is what it is. I've enjoyed being a CA and learned an awful lot. But when it comes time to go back to the right seat I will respectfully put back on the 3 stripe eppaulets. At least I'll still have a job which is more than I can say for a lot of pilots we work with.