Jeff Lebowski

I bought the leather and while it's a fine garment that will doubtless outlast me the thing weighs a ton and finding a place to put it when you wind up someplace warm can be a hassle. It's also serious overkill for the amount of time we spend out of doors, doing preflights and walking to and from vans etc., and it isn't very comfortable.

While I was waiting for the leather to come in (the lead time was something like five months because I have gorilla arms and needed a custom fit) I got the blazer and wore it for my first couple months' worth of trips. It's comfortable, provides all the warmth you need, and looks good. The downside is that the fabric is delicate and prone to snags and jamming it into the coat rack in the front of a '73 does it no favors.

I'm now leaning toward the Karbon. I'm not overly keen on the way it looks but we practice a very intensive style of aviating at Southwest, with lots of legs and swaps and general running about. The benefit of having something you can wad up into a ball and jam down into your rollerboard as the need arises is huge.

slimothy

I’m in the junior class right now, until the next class starts on Monday. We are staying at the Marriott around the corner from the Anatole. Definitely less walking options for food, I really wish I had my car.

The welcome dinner is business casual, the first day of class is suit/sport coat and ties for your ID photo. Otherwise a nice pair of jeans and anything with a collar is acceptable/the norm for class. We chose to go business casual for our leadership breakfast. You won’t likely know which member of the executive team will show up, we decided to dress it up a bit. Tom Nealon, the president, ended up being our speaker.

They send you systems modules to do before you get down there. You will be required to do the same modules on your company provided iPad. So it’s up to you if you really want to do them twice. There’s a guy who looks a lot like me and sits in my chair who didn’t do any studying ahead of time and things are going well. YMMV.

Good luck, and welcome aboard. It’s a good time so far. I think your wife will be impressed with what she sees, I know that it got mine 100% on board for the first time since I started in the 121 world.

BigWillyCapt

Is the Karbon the black, sporty, lightweight, ski-instructor one?

ZapBrannigan

Yes. Maybe you younger guys can pull it off. I’ll stick with the blazer and just throw a windbreaker in my bag for my off time.


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Squallrider

Ha were part of 121 world it’s more the training and qol changes, mines been pretty high at my regional I typically work 3 day trips and off 16-17 days a month but time to move on I’m looking forward to it, and I know with seniority it’ll get better. I live near mdw so shouldn’t take my whole life ha

RJSAviator76

I bought leather when I was a newhire and used it for the first winter here. I really like it. Doing a preflight in SLC or MSP in January... it really came in handy.

I didn’t really like the look of Karbon jacket, but quickly got over it. That jacket is very comfortable and does the job, and the best part about it is that it easily folds up in your bag if you go somewhere warm. So for me, I bring leather if it’s cold and miserable everywhere I go. If my trip is a mix of warm and cold weather or if it’s not quite stupid cold, but cold enough, I’ll bring my Karbon jacket.

Fgrosoli

So for how many days is the wife involved on a welcome tour? She is trying to coordinate days off at work but no info are available....
Thanks

Squallrider

Night before class and I think most of dat 1

Psycho18th

I have the Karbon jacket. You can wad it up an jam it in your bag easily. It’s lightweight but plenty warm and waterproof. I don’t even hang it up, just put it next to my flight bag beside the seat. Get the liner. I’ve only used the liner a couple times, but it works great as a layover jacket and takes up no room in your bag.

Saw my first crew wearing blazers the other day. When they walked off the plane for the changeover, I thought they were jumpseaters from another airline. So, there are guys who wear the blazer. Someone told me it’s more common at certain domiciles.

I thought it was worth watching the systems videos once through before training. It made them make more sense the second time through for credit. That may depend more on your flying background.

FlyGirl727

What does the word professional mean? Professional means relating to a person's work, especially work that requires special training. That includes Doctors, Lawyers, Musicians, AND pilots.
Since we are professionals, our uniform is a symbol of professionalism. If your hat fits, wear it. A blazer with your stripes should be worn with pride. It took a lot of training to get the job, why not look like a professional. While we make fun of the Delta pilots, you certainly must agree they look professional. Your appearance is the passengers first impression.