"O" writes that he specifically tells new hires to purchase the uniform jacket, and that only wearing the jacket makes one look like a "professional airline pilot".

He also didn't like the new hires mentor's suggestion that all he needs is the parka.

Have to agree there, if I'd been the mentor I would have pointed out the FCIF from 2000 that indicates FDX uniform wear is the Blouse or Leather jacket during winter months. With White shirts during the summer (Blouse at pilots discretion). I'd suggest waiting on the parka for year 3 or 4.

300$ doesn't go as far for a newbie as it did back in the day. 150$ for the leather jacket, then 150$ will maybe get you two pairs of pants, two shirts, epaulets and a tie...(But I'm thinking you'll be short). IF a new hire goes for the Blouse, then he\she is going to need either the leather jacket or an overcoat for winter ops. Or pay a bit more out of pocket than they would prefer to. Perhaps some of the more senior posters\lurkers here could suggest to "O" that if he really wants to change the corporate image to the "Professional" look, perhaps he could shake the money tree and give each new hire a Blouse with their wings attached.

And, I have to admit being somewhat offended at being labeled an unprofessional pilot because I didn't choose to purchase\wear the Blouse (or a Hat). I must also confess that I recently spent some time in the airport looking at "Real Airline Pilots". And you know what, times have changed since "O" was out there. A uniform Blouse is a rare sighting, was thinking of going into comparisons of other rare things but upon reflection, some of those might get me banned from APC (Not that that's a bad thing). And, upon further reflection, the Blouse is an extremely rare sight in Ops. About the only people I see wearing them normally are some of our "young" Capts puffed up in importance wearing the blouse with 4 stripes so now by God people will know I'm someone now. OR, some of our "older" generation who long for the way things used to be. When being a Capt really meant something by God, and not just the watered down manager that technology has created. Someone from back in the day when a Capt could call and say get this done, and it was.....versus the here and now when the answer is it's not in the contract. Not, well, asking for catering on the flight to Knoxville doesn't really make sense. Well, those of us flying the line are somewhat more in tune with that reality than others.

Even though I don't wear the Blouse, I do consider myself to be a professional pilot. To paraphrase another writer, I "work hard to be safe, legal, and standard. I spend time "before each event, line or training in preparation thereof. (Especially before Intl flights) I ask questions. I have a "positive mental attitude" (most of the time). Far as I know, "O" doesn't know my name at all. I do the best I can to get the freight there, safely and on time. And, On Time isn't really a function of me but of the weather and the mechanical reliability of the plane. When you need to get your rubber D-Sxxx out of Hong Kong, you could do a hell of a lot worse than the vast majority of my Freight Dawg brothers here at FedEx. We may not look pretty, but we sure get the job done.

The Capt's I have flown with that wore the blouse were generally tools...I think it's been like 10 years since "O" has flown the line and the total line flying is like 3 years or something, the rest is flying a desk, so I think his perspective is a little off about the blouse. :-)

I wear my blouse at the regionals every day. Have always done it. Will always do it. My aircraft frequently gets well over 100* in the cockpit. The best I have seen was about 125. Haha. The way I see it, if you look like a truck driver. You will be treated like one. So I wear the coat walking to and from and while addressing my pax or doing a walk around. It's really not that big of a deal. And you look sharp. But then again I cut my hair, shave, and shine my shoes also.

But a lot of this is for passenger perception. If they see you looking sloppy it comes off bad. You all don't have to worry about that soo much.

It is boggles my mind that this is the most important issue we could hear about from our Chief pilot in our quarterly "Safe Skies" magazine.

I do not own a blazer and do not intend on buying one. Why not address the wide body captains that still can't even purchase approved pants also? Come on spend the $150 the company gives you on some pants that don't look like you have been wearing them for your whole career.

You're probably right because last time I entered the Haz Can on a steamy hot night without the blouse I thought the explosives and corrosives were OK with my appearance but I felt the flamable liquids were looking down at me. Our truck drivers dress like truck drivers and get treated pretty well.

Seriously----I don't think not wearing a blouse or hat makes you look like a truck driver. I personally think they looked great back in the day but are both out dated today. To each their own.

I'm on the road for 12 days. I ain't carrying nothing I don't have to, or that can't be put to use on layovers. I can wear the leather jacket to go to dinner. I can't do that with the uniform jacket (what the hell is a blouse? I thought women wore those).

We all make fun of the F street mafia with their running shoes, blue jeans and leather jackets but they can do two weeks with a Purdy Neat and a brain bag. And only have to wash their drawers and t shirts once.

[QUOTE=kronan;1021441
Have to agree there, if I'd been the mentor I would have pointed out the FCIF from 2000 that indicates FDX uniform wear is the Blouse or Leather jacket during winter months. With White shirts during the summer (Blouse at pilots discretion). I'd suggest waiting on the parka for year 3 or 4.

.[/QUOTE]

Depends on location. If the new hire will be in Mem for out and backs then a professional blouse sounds great (maybe even a hat). If he is headed for ANC then the parka works much better for the walk from pilot parking lot in feb (skip the hat and buy a black knit cap). Speaking of the parka, why'd they ever approve and offer it up if it would be a crime to wear one?

If we start hiring to the right seat of the 757, I would recommend the parka over everything, especially if they start IOE in November or later.

It's July and over a hundred outside in Texas...walking through DFW today I didn't see a single pilot wearing a blazer (nor was I wearing mine).

In the winter I'll wear mine, but no way during the summer.