'Addition' to the EK uniform

[sluggums]

Are there any airlines elsewhere where it is mandatory for the pilots to use a company issued cockpit flight bag?

'Cause that's what TCAS has just announced. What next... our colour of underwear...?:sad:

[bogeydope]

No, We'll all have to grow a beard.........!!

[pilotrob23]

The women too?

[sluggums]

Hopefully... Phwoaaar:D Or hair colour maybe?

[glofish]

What's the bitching about? It's actually a good move, for once!

[thehonourablefong]

You know what, it's a pretty petty move but it's a decent bag at least...thought they'd give us a cardboard box with PVC wrapped around it!

Suck it up, boys, it's probably worth more than this year's payrise!

[cost neutral]

Ah but thats what it is, the pay rise !

[checcker10]

Depends goldfish.
Think it's a complete waste of money.
I personally don't like those bags, too bulky and cumbersome.
Ain't no space in the flight deck on a 4 man crew for them. And now the wheel chair is in closet outside, don't suppose our 1st class pax will fancy my bag in the suite with them! Another well thought out plan.
Will be going in cupboard never to be seen again.
What is it with Tcas and uniforms??
Didn't he get any Christmas presents as a child.......

[worldaccording2]

"Bearded ladies..gives me something to hang on too ! Whoof.."

Rip Rik Mayall

Lord Flashheart's Grand Entrance - Blackadder - BBC - YouTube (http://youtu.be/aKfbSHW9uGA)

[sluggums]

Not moaning per se, I think it's a bit short sighted by the company to make using the bag mandatory. Sometime the corporate branding BS goes a little too far. Why else would they make it mandatory?

[Dog watch]

Really people... It's a bag.

As much moaning as there is going on, mark my words some will 'take' 2 bags.

Where's my payrise !!!

[McGreaser]

Anybody out there still slugs around a 17" laptop ?

I suppose we will get a plastic watch with a calculator on it. And the plastic wallets with velcro on them with Hello Kitty embossed on. Then the fanny pack to carry our crew sandwiches and crew allowance.

Guess i deserve to use the bag as punishment because i didn't send an email voicing my displeasure:ugh:

Just out of curiosity....in the 21st century, what do u guys carry in your flight bag ? Personally
1. ipad or Mac Book Air
2. wallet
3. phone
4. clipboard
5. condoms (baby wipes !)
5. lately....a stick to bite on and loads of lube:rolleyes::rolleyes: (can't take the pain !)

[kingpost]

What a way to "try" and become a lifestyle brand, give the pilots a bag! My goodness, have they lost the plot, we need a salary increase, not a briefcase - I'm struggling to keep up with inflationary pressures!

[springbok449]

McG,

I hear you, I am amazed at what some people carry in their flight bag judging by the size of them... Think the guys will struggle with the new one as it won't have any space to carry their "special" aide memoire manuals etc!

If only I could fit my iPad into my inside jacket pocket...

[falconeasydriver]

Anyone know how long the handle is? being a little taller than average, I've avoided these type of bags thanks to having to stoop.

[sluggums]

I think they're planning deportment lessons as well...

"Back straight, keep the book balanced on your head ladies...!"

It'll be incorporated in our 6 monthly LPC sessions I've heard.

[sluggums]

100% agree.

[Gulf News]

Looks to be a quality item for a change and quite useful. You can bet that there was something in it for whoever signed the purchase order for 3600 + units, that is the way things work here.

Besides its a big step up from the diary that we got last year and even beats the set of oven gloves we got in 2005.

The distribution system sounds a bit shaky and open to multiple "procurement" by the less scrupulous amongst us. I guess there will be a uptick in branded luggage for sale on Dubizzle in the near future as EK pilots try to offset the rise in the cost of living that the company does not seem to have the wherewithal to address .:)

[SMOC]

C'mon at least post a pic :E

[DuneMentat]

as far as i can see it's this one Patriot Rolling 2-Piece Business Set (http://www.wengerna.com/patriot-rolling-2-piece-business-set-12353)

[GoreTex]

I just bought a new bag, thanks for telling us last minute

[sluggums]

As with my tie pin and pass holder, it's a rule I'll be happy to ignore.

[FLEX/MCT]

None - the bag will automatically self destruct if any attempt is made to put duty free, personal electronic devices or EK branded olive oil/balsamic into it, but not before sending a report to TCAS's desk...

[Dropp the Pilot]

That can't be right. I think TCAS' truncated minion AS has been made Vice President Oil/Vinegar/Pillows and Blankets.

[millerscourt]

When I joined Kuwait Airways on the B707 we were all provided with an excellent good quality Leather Nav Bag engraved with Kuwait Airways Crew and a Samsonite and both saw out my flying career and are still in good nick ( like me ) :eek:

PS Two of the shortest sectors we did were BAH/DHA and KWI/Abadan

PPS 8 weeks annual leave, plus two lots of 10 days off roster block and always two night in Central London after exhausting 7 hour daytime flight

[Old King Coal]

You mean it's not made out of leather?! Ffs, how on earth is one supposed to affix the required 1,000's stickers? Good gawd and bloomin' heck, what a cheapskate outfit EK has turned into!

Aside - the best contents of a flight bag that I ever saw was that of an Air Europe (UK) colleague (whom shall remain nameless, to protect the guilty) wherein during a Manchester night stop 'drinkeepoos' it was determined that the only items (and of which I kid you not!) within his flight bag were: a bottle of Scotch; a 'Brixton Briefcase' plus some cassette tapes (it was a few years ago), plus a family sized pack of prophylactics,... now those were the days!

Dropp the Pilot: lol as the AS gibe, classic !

[littlejet]

don't forget to check it for listening devices!
soak it in water for 30 minutes just to be on the safe side

[hotduke]

I'll take a free bag any day.


Looks like it may fit a little better in the Boeing than a standard flight case which blocks the side table from locking into place anyway.

[Phantom Driver]

PPS 8 weeks annual leave, plus two lots of 10 days off roster block and always two night in Central London after exhausting 7 hour daytime flight


Good wheeze!

[McGreaser]

@ hotduke ...whats a "standard" flight case ? Have seen guys drag the EK embosssed "coffin" and filled it to the hilt. For the love of me i wish i knew what they stuff in their bags ! ln the 21st century, minimalism is the standard. But guess loads of people are stuck in a time warp:cool: Hence some blokes think the new bag is ok coz it has loads of real estate/compartments :ugh:

[Desdihold]

I agree with mcgreaser, I have a black laptop size bag which fits all that I need...a clip board, an ipad, calculator, documents.

Nowwe are being given a bag which will just consume more space on a limited flight deck, further consider four of these bags on the flight deck during ULR flights.

Stupid move yet again.

[nakbin330]

Well done Sluggams, such a radical approach.

[sluggums]

nakbin, not sure if you're being sarcastic or not...:confused:

Anyhoo, to take a leaf from the training manual and apply sone root cause analysis, the issue isn't the bag itself, it's the fact that TCAS has made it mandatory to use, a firm grasp of the non essentials. The second floor has lost the plot.

[hotduke]

Mcgrease,


Maybe the extra real estate has something to do with the "reintroduction of the recycling policy."


Hat, Jacket, trolley, papers, oh my....

[skyvan]

If they don't want us to nick the olive oil, why do they give us such a big case?

[CaptainChipotle]

Soon to come... The emirates issued flight watch, pen, sunglasses and clipboard.

The end of originality.

[Rather Be Skiing]

Soon to come... The emirates issued flight watch, pen, sunglasses and clipboard. The end of originality.

But really... we're all waiting for the logo'd underpants! ;-)

[vfenext]

Looks like the children on this forum are getting younger. It's not even funny anymore, just stupid.

[jack schidt]

Use it....Abuse it....Looooooooose it, unless it's purdy!

[puff m'call]

Its pretty simple guys, just don't use the stupid thing!!!

[millerscourt]

Phantom Driver

Perhaps I should also mention that when Denis Healey went cap in hand to the IMF to bail out the UK the £Stg fell so I got a 25% tax free pay rise:E

PS As a sign of how things have changed over the years KAC always stayed in the Taj Mahal in Bombay ( as was ) Even GF stayed there in those days

[alwayzinit]

Is each new bag going to come stuffed with 1000 aed notes? Coz I would like my bleeding pay rise please!

[alwayzinit]

So that would be "No" then!

[halas]

I count 27 crosses on the outside plus several hundred on the inside :}

I'm not sure l need a business-mans carry-on hand luggage as a nav-bag.

Tis 2.5 time larger than the bag l use and that fits my hat and 'jamies!

I guess l will be able to put my laundry in their from whenever this comes into affect. Yay. Great for the first 20 minutes of (prior to) my duty period.

halas

[BLOGGSON]

Dear Alan,

Tried your nice new bag the other day. Didn't like it. Won't be using it again.

Regards,

Bloggs

[Eau de Boeing]

Wot he said....

[DuneMentat]

Now that the use of the bag is mandatory from August 1st do we have to start writing reports on each other for not using it or can we assume we'll have to sign another piece of paper we've checked the other guy is using the correct bag? Or will we have to go to the CC briefing to get our grooming checked? :ugh:

[White Knight]

The most IMPRACTICAL flight bag ever seen... In fact, it's not even a 'flight bag'... How the hell can you access the damn thing when it's stuffed between the seat and the sidewall!

Yet another well thought out waste of money:rolleyes::ugh:

[KanyouEast]

Well we could get rid of it in a hurry if EVERYONE put in an ASR saying it blocks access to the emergency torch…..:ok::E, although they'd probably just instruct everyone to buy themselves a maglite to keep IN the bag!

[TangoUniform]

Good gosh. Complaining and moaning about this non event denigrates legitimate complaints we have over other issues. Grow up people. This has no real effect on anything important in our professional lives. Complaining about this makes us look like a bunch of 13 year old girls worrying about Justin Beiber.:ugh:

[blackbird71]

"that's funny right there" - Mater @TangoUniform

[Dropp the Pilot]

Don't really give a flying phasmid about any of this but when you are dragging the thing around an airport, try to fit it in one of those frames that judges cabin bag size. My colleague tried it in two different locations on our last layover and it didn't fit. Might be an issue for those of you who like the freighter and it's associated positioning duties.

[nakbin330]

The new bag's great. Fits 5 bottles of grog, easily, and on layovers such as Lagos, where one doesn't venture too far, all that is required for the layover.

[Fr. Dougal]

I wonder did they buy them from here?
Certainly not advertised as a pilot bag.

Swiss Wenger Bags (http://www.groupon.ae/deals/national-deal/gg-home-market-4-14/41953677?utm_source=GRPN&utm_medium=Search&ref=Search&kw=busi)

[falconeasydriver]

I like it, enough room for my shreddies, clean shirt(s) jeans, trainers, and a few other odds and sods for the 24hr summer EU/Africa/Asia layover. No waiting for a suitcase at the rotunda anymore for me :E

[Swansafa]

Yes but FED what do you do about your LAGs in your carry on bag - you know, toothpaste, bryllcreem, KY, etc...

Don't the nazis take it all away from you at the airport when you go anywhere near the USA?

[TransitCheck]

Swansafa must translate into bigot in some language.

[go46ball]

As long as your in uniform you can carry all your liquids and jells with you. Out of uniform different story. I can't believe that a uniform shirt is a secure item. With it on anything through, with it off your just like the rest of the cattle.

[TransitCheck]

That was a guy I flew with back in the 90's who was a bigot. Name removed to protect the innocent.....I didn't search the EK seniority list before I posted.

[nakbin330]

Rumour has it that the locals, amongst others, are refusing to use Stealey's Wheels because they are adorned with crosses.

Fix this one Al.

[BobDole]

It looks to me like it's more of a plus sign than a cross. :E

[THRCLB]

1st of August ! Did we receive this from feet management or some one in Uniform store that mandate to use the bag !!!

[Schnowzer]

Did we receive this from feet management

Tell me it isn't so. Are they hoping to issue compulsory socks and shoes too?

[330airbus]

Just to answer the OP. Yes, we have to use company bag at QR.
Ofcourse you have people not doing so, but according to the "rules", we should be using company FD bag.
Seems like EK isn't a much better place than QR lately. Minus the fact that living in Dubai beats the hell out of Doha anyway.

My family seem to love it anyway.
Happy wife happy life.
Safe landings :ok:

[ExpatBrat]

It's the Swiss cross, not a Christian cross.

The rumour I heard was the objection was so strong they were going to replace ALL the flight bags but it seems to me if this were true they would not have just issued a notice that use of the bag is mandatory beginning August 1st.

Then again, ya never know here.

Personally I like the bag. It's not a raise but it's a good, well designed, well made flight bag.

[skyvan]

It's not a flight bag, it is a laptop bag for a traveling salesman!

Since when has a flight bag come with a compartment for your clothes?

And have you tried to get anything out of the "office" compartments while in your seat?

I would have hoped that a serving pilot would have been involved in the selection of this bag, instead it appears that those responsible have never sat in one of our aluminum tubes for 8 hours at a stretch so have no clue as to what makes for a decent flight bag.

What do you carry, as a line pilot? Your licence and test card, a medical paper, a passport and maybe a spare pair of glasses in addition to your sunglasses. Over and above that, the nice to haves include a clipboard and maybe an illicit iPad! Quite frankly, anything bigger than a small laptop bag is overkill. This "flight bag" is not just overkill, it's a downright massacre!

Yes, I have emailed the bosses, I await their reply with a total lack of anticipation.

[nakbin330]

It was 'flight tested' but whatever the feedback was made no difference. TCAS had already made his decision. The trial was an attempt to show that somebody actually gave a damn.

[B. Bonga]

I just don't get it. Maybe am missing something as always:ugh: what do u guys carry in your bag ? I have seen enough flight crew dragging the flight/clothes bag full and it's almost bursting at the seams approaching rugby ball proportion with loads of zippers and crosses !

Besides the licence, clipboard, "illicit" iPad/13"/15" laptop, wallet, mobile and a book on the mating habits of Bonobo monkies, i cannot seem to fill up my old bag which is way smaller than the new bag. And the odd EK pilot fills up their bag. What's in your bag ? Olive oil ?

AND apparently some people actually "quite like" the new bag. :rolleyes: What's to like ? And yes t makes us look like travelling salesman ! It's not free FYI:=

[captainsmiffy]

Precious little room for ones magic box.....

[SOPS]

It's not free?

[Panther 88]

Stealey's wheelies!

[Desdihold]

This bag just doesn't fit on the 777 flight deck especially during ULR flights when we can have four of these on the flight deck plus two extra nav bags.

In the case where we dont have an efb 2 I prefer to have the nav bag beside me which means the company issued flight bag needs to be somewhere out of reach.... how I miss my own smaller flight bag.

This is just a stupid move by the company.

[Tight Seat]

You could just follow my example.


Take out all the silly inserts, dividers the just pop you older, small nav bag inside. When you get onto the aircraft dispense with the outer bag into the closet until the end of the flight.

Easy. :E

[alwayzinit]

The bag is fine imho, though the handle is a touch on the short side for us taller specimens !

What does press my puzzle muscle is why TCAS is so obsessed with rolling luggage as opposed to the constant rostering into the fatigue inducing 18-30 hr rest period.

Ah well "Hello Tomorrow!" as the dawn rises for another night burning holes in the sky!

[aslan1982]

4 pages of comments on a flight bag :ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

surely there are worse things to moan about

[puff m'call]

As I said before:

Its pretty simple guys, just don't use the stupid thing!!!

[fatbus]

Who cares just use the stupid thing and stop bitching about, it s a bag get over it.

[Desdihold]

I think the UAE pilots at EK have every right to protest over the cross on the new flight bag....
The Swiss cross was a gift from the pope for the Swiss guard protecting the Vatican in Rome.
The Swiss guard still protect the Vatican to this day.

[what_goes_up]

Desdi

You are right with the Swiss Guards at the Vatican. However, the Swiss Cross (which is a Greek Cross in shape) has nothing to do with this. It is in use since around 1340 and the Swiss Guards have been around since early 1500...

But this just as a side note... :8