Flew UA today from EWR-IAH and was impressed with the majority of pilots wearing their hats. I thought only Delta enforced that. Anyway, you looked very professional and I wanted to say thanks.

Good grief, you can have the hat. Maybe you can stack 'em 10 high on your head and be extra professional!

Am I the only one that sees those hats as dated and ridiculous? The only thing more ridiculous is a regional pilot thanking them for wearing them on an internet forum. I want my 3 minutes back.

I hate wearing that damn hat and will adviod it all cost!

I heard that! Last time wearing a hat was cool was in the movie "Catch Me if you Can"

I'm pretty sure that you saw CAL pilots, United pilots stopped wearing hats years ago.

Correct, but I'm pretty sure that, by virtue of the fact that you're still alive, you know what the OPs point was.

Now that we're encouraged/forced etc to wear the hat, we may resent it a little. Perhaps see it as pointless, dated, etc. That said, when travelling on a legacy, the general public (who pay our bills), like to see pressed trousers, fitted blazer, shiny shoes and the hat. They just do. I, too (when I'm not at work), do like to see the professionally turned-out crews. I understand that the last thing we care about when leaving an 18 hour work day behind, is the paraphernalia, but I feel it is always in our best interests to garner whatever favour from the travelling public whenever we can.

Backpacks, weird 'modern' facial hair, unpressed pants, iPods, and shirts coming untucked just make us look like blue-collar button pushers, who don't deserve the food-stamps we may be entitled to. It's all utter turd when it comes down to the operation, but a little effort can help us all out.

Harsh but true, comrades. I'm generally in support of advocating anything that puts us in the right light amongst the public. We need all the help we can get.

As it was explained in early training,the reason for the hat was who to follow in an emergency.Briefing, [follow me you're the second one out] I think I got that right...

Why not wear a feathered chicken suit, then? That would be easy for the public to recognise.

Hats as part of a uniform have been around a great deal longer than we have. One can negate or believe all the theories in the world, but the fact is, hats have always been part of a professional uniform.

Are you confused? Do you know where you are?

Skycaps also wear the hat. Flight Attendants and TSA have epaulettes.

I hate to break it to all of you youngsters, but the people in the back don't give a flying f if you're wearing your hat.