The hat protest was in association with the last MEC chairman. IOW, the "hat switch" is long gone. No more official protest. As for the leather jacket. I wear my "gay" military wannabe jacket with pride. It especially comes in handy on the layovers. It is better than wearing the Sherlock Holmes "flasher" long coat! :D

Drift...

Before we optioned for leather coats everyone whined about looking like an airline pilot when going out to dinner while on a layover or while commuting.

(Yes the London Fog with the big damn lapels and belt is supremely ugly and gay....not that there's anything wrong with that)

So...a mess of guys bought leather coats (400 bucks). Now, when guys go out to dinner on a layover they look like....airline pilots wearing leather coats. I have been on layovers TWICE with guys who don't even take the damn wings off before they go out. And yes, we went to bars. Now that is a tad dorky if you "axe' me. Leather coat with wings, jeans, white socks and running shoes. We might as well have PILOT tatooed on our foreheads!

I'll stick with my warm old wool dress coat till they buy me one. F the hat.

Enough with this gay banter, lets get back to tossing bombs and our long overdue industry leading contract.

Good god! Leaving the wings on the coat! Now that's funny right there. I have the quick change velcro patch system. Just tear off the wings and slap on a plain black leather patch. No wings, no grommet holes. Works good, lasts a long time. Sorry for the drift.

The Hat Nazis took it a bit too seriously and really tried to put the heat on if you wore one. The same guys feel the same way about having enough Flare on the tie. I haven't had a hat in over 8 years having nothing to do with protests and I dare anyone to give me a hard time if I happen to be wearing a Slick Tie. The leather jacket I have no problem retiring as long as I don't have to wear a double breasted overcoat. I mean who wants to look like a Russian submarine commander anyway.

My guess on new uniforms: it will be about money (unless somehow we say we will purchase the new uniforms). The company must purchase all uniforms. We should settle for no less. At CAL, our contract states any change in uniforms is at company expense. So...I predict that the hat will go. For example: A typical hat cost $75ish. 11,000 pilots X $75 = $825,000. That's another house for someone in maganement, so it's an easy choice for them. Hat or house?

If they spend $500 per pilot for new uniforms: pants, shirts, hats, jackets, coat, tie, etc. It would cost them 5.5 million dollars. $500 won't even buy you much per pilot. It would have to be closer to $1000. Expect a vendor from China or India.

All kidding aside, I think the monatary factor will drive the new uniform policy.

See, there are things we can agree on or just agree to disagree!! :)

My memory is a little foggy, but didn't airborne used to have really sharp uniforms? Silver and black maybe? I was impressed with a cargo carrier being so spiffy. Seems like aloha shirts would be all that is necessary. But I'm sure it has to do with looking professionally to get paid professionally.

United will want us to wear Members Only jackets if they think it'll save a few dollars.

I hope so! I still have one in the closet from the 80's. I was the last member:D

Haven't worn a hat or jacket in 15 years. One of the niceties of being based on the Rock. Gotta come out of the closet and admit I was looking forward to a leather jacket though. Can't imagine they'd ditch that after so many paid for it out of their own pockets.