I think he was legit. Tie looked sharp. Wanted to listen to some jams while preflighting. I'm sticking up for the backpackers and earbudders.

 

Nobody cares because the expectation in business aviation is much different than airlines.

And the reality is what you are wearing doesn't make you any more or less professional or capable flying an airplane.

Bizav owners and company CEOs have varying levels of expectation for their flight crew's appearance, ranging from tailored Brooks Brothers/Jos A Bank suits to __________. When I became Chief Pilot, my CEO told me "I don't care what you wear, just lose the stupid cartoon airplane ties" (a holdover from the previous CP). I immediately switched to a summer/winter uniform consisting of polos and khakis in summer, and oxfords and black slacks in winter. Its more comfortable and IMO is more professional looking for a 91 op where I carry the same 15 passengers than a half-*** "pilot" uniform. Which leads me to fractional and 135 operators...

Those passengers generally have an expectation that a pilot is going to look a certain way, which is a reason why 91K/135 (and some 91 operators) wear a traditional pilot uniform. This is also a reason many large-cabin international 91 pilots wear a traditional pilot uniform flying international - to distinguish flight crew from passengers. Domestic 91, it does not matter one iota.

In the 121 world, the uniform policy is right there in black and white. And its there, in part, because passengers have an expectation for how a pilot is "supposed" to look. Which is a reason why Skybus pilots were so ridiculed for their park ranger-esque uniforms, as are Virgin America and even Jetblue pilots - they aren't traditional.

There's also a sense of pride in appearance, which shouldn't matter if you are wearing a double-breasted Delta uniform or wearing jeans and an untucked button-down shirt (which should, again, be ironed).

I wouldn't be caught dead doing a preflight wearing earbuds, and I don't carry a backpack with me on the road...but again, Part 91, nobody cares. Or rather, the only person that cares are the passengers in YOUR plane, and so long as you are dressed to meet their expectation, it doesn't matter.

 

Wellie as waiting for 200+ posts on this *fine* thread - and there we have it!