We should all wear something different until Jeffy and his minions unscrew this place.

 

You've been on property like a year? Maybe two now?

Yep everything you need to know is in the FOM..

 

The whole uniform thing is truly asinine. This faux military garb has its roots in early commercial aviation when they were attempting to calm pax by making them think they were being taken care of by military "type" folks.

And the hat looks absolutely foolish on some. It reminds me of Ralph Kramden and his bus driver uniform.

We could all wear prom dresses and it would make no difference to anyone.

You certainly wont see a bunch of hat wearing L-UAL guys whenever "hat season" begins. In my view, that's more than a fair trade off for the ten year beating we took until Delta gave us a contract.

 

This has been shown both by ALPA and by the company to be incorrect. The public perception of what a "pilot" is includes the full monty with the hat and they (the public) "feel" better when you wear it.

Try this for an experiment: Go one month wearing a NorthFace fleece and no hat then switch to the regulation jacket and hat and count the number of times passengers engage and or comment positively to you in both cases.

I'm not a rah-rah hat guy, but I am willing to admit that it does make a big difference in public perception, and if the folks writing my paycheck are asking me to wear the uniform and my union is onboard then I have no problem doing as asked. There's no harm in looking professional, and a 3 or 4 man cockpit crew wearing the full uniform together draws significantly more attention and respect than a bunch of guys walking together with NorthFace fleeces.

Maybe just maybe wearing the uniform DOES matter and DOES improve our professional image which certainly can't hurt and doesn't actually cost you anything personally. Why else does ALPA ask us to show up when picketing with the full uniform?

 

Here is something everyone needs to remember....

Yes, the company writes the check, but ALPA is the one that told the company how much to make it out for.

So I always make sure my ALPA pin is being displayed proudly.

 

We don't have a uniform policy. We have "guidelines."

The company has chosen NOT to engage on enforcement of the policy as they feel it would not promote unity and perhaps be a fight they can win, but the cost of winning would detract from solving more important problems. They are really hoping that good examples will rub off and we will police ourselves. And, really that's how it should be. I think we are big boys and girls who can take care of this on our own. If we want to be treated as professionals first we need to look like professionals. But, that's my opinion.

Jump seating or non revving with an over garment is a good idea. It minimizes people bugging you or disturbing you while off duty and makes for a more pleasurable travel experience.

But, Navy wings? really?? Haven't seen that one yet.

 

Gee, if that's what the Cool kids are doing, then I'm not going to wear a hat either.

Are we in High School?

 

The current costume we wear isn't worth of Navy wings being on it anywhere, even as a lapel pin.

 

yep. A year and half. I thought it was a legit question. Sorry if I missed the sarcasm.

 

My hat makes my hair flat and sweaty in the summer. I hate it. I only wear it if it rains. Of course for a while none of the L-UAL guys wore them. Great idea unless you are bald and you create a bit of glare with that shiny polished look. :-)