I agree but I have run into that one guy although I did put him in his place so to speak.

White new balance, jean shorts, Harley Davidson Hawaiian shirt with the lanyard swingin’ is the only way to travel. Comfort and style.

Or maybe a pair of relatively sand free, old-style Tevas. That's the stuff, yeah!


Seriously, though, the good folk at the KCM station actually want the ID visible as you approach. Pocketed after that except for discount time. Chat up the nearby FAs a bit and that's all they need to decide whether you'll get the extra glug of coke or the like.

From a professional standpoint I think it is important that the FA’s know you are there if they need you as an able body. I just say hello to them, make eye contact and expect that they notice my flight deck bag I am carrying when I check bags. They always seem to know without me telling them on mainline. On the regionals I am not so sure they know.

I have depilotized my luggage so I don’t stand out like a secret service agent.

All this I don't understand. Paid ticket routinely in and out of DXB, BAH, SIN, PEN, KUL, TPE, HKG, CAN, PVG, NRT, KIX and once even KWI (no nightmare). All in civvies, crew ID never even left my bag unless I needed to explain to the ticket agent my follow on travel plans. Never a problem - not one. How are you treated "better" for the few minutes you're going through security or immigration that makes the hassle of a wearing a uniform worthwhile? All wearing a uniform does on a paid ticket internationally does is potentially confuse the locals and make it difficult to get into the first class lounge.

Incognito is the way to go, IMO. Board the plan, act like a normal passenger, get your drink on and don't plan on answering any calls for help after you've tossed back a few. That would be a huge mistake.

Now, THAT'S Funny!!
fbh

Present the ID in civvies to get a free bottle of water. Then you can put it away.

Nah, you're right I imagined all of it. I'm not going to bother trying to prove to you with anecdotal evidence of my personal experience of getting hassled in civvies and being left to do as I please in uniform. All I know is it works for me and most of everyone else who is commuting in and out of the places I go to. First/Biz Class ticket trumps the uniform though if you're on one of those.

Oh, and KWI these days guarantees you waiting in the 2 hour immigration line and buying a visa if you're not in uniform.

On topic, notify FA’s was the question not prodding around foreign airports.