Keef -
Probably the stripe bearing folk at the PFA rally would be Cabair instructors as they, like many other flying schools, wear the tribal markings. It may look odd to those of us already involved in aviation at some level to see someone covered in gold braid jumping in and out of a C150 but in actual fact the punters love it. Take the Cabair schools around London, all their instructors look smart and utterly professional and the public love it.
Back to the original thread though, I have heard several stories about PPLs wearing stripes to take their mates on an hour long sortie into the local area. I know of one who was wearing 4 gold bars and taken aside by a CFI and politely shown the error of his ways. (Nothing to do with the fact the CFI only wore 3 bars!!) The one that takes the glory is the bloke who upon the issue of his PPL had his chequebook and credit cards changed to 'Captain' instead of Mr!!
I also witnessed 4 people getting out of a cherokee all wearing flying suits the other day as well. Yes, even the 2 back seat passengers! What are these people on????
Amazing isn't it!
RM