Epaulette Etiquette
Feasant Plucker
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In the lair of the Penguin......
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Stripes......cripes
Eish! I have Effriken eppal/eppual/epaull/ (well - however you spell them)
Here is how they are awarded:
Two stripes - Can read and write, can find the airplane door;
Three stripes - can read or write, can find the airplane door if properly labeled as such;
Four stripes - knows both a two- and a three-striper.
Stripes are worn at all times, especially to sporting clubs and shebeens.
Here is how they are awarded:
Two stripes - Can read and write, can find the airplane door;
Three stripes - can read or write, can find the airplane door if properly labeled as such;
Four stripes - knows both a two- and a three-striper.
Stripes are worn at all times, especially to sporting clubs and shebeens.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Gentlemen, you all seem to be missing the point. Bars are not what make you a pilot. Attitude, determination and the will to fly and get the job done are more what i'm interested in. If you're so insecure about YOURSELVES and what you do then by all means wear what you want. I've worked hard to get were I am today, done lots long hours in c%$p places and am proud of what i do but I do not need bars on my sholders to show/prove that I'm a pilot!!! I don't have a point to prove to anyone about what I do and don't need their approval. I think you all need to get over your shallow ego's and realise that you can actually fly an aircraft without those little things on your sholders... Flying is a way of life but there is also a life outside flying.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Ingwe, your ramblings about this that and the other contradicted your statement about not trying to prove anything to anyone. The best way not to try to prove anything is to just be!. In otherwords, do not tell us about your long hours, hard work and the like. You come off as if the only way you will get us to respect you and your opinion is to let us know of your strides in life. Get a life because we all worked hard and still do. If you have a way you like to wear your epps, then that is your way...do not try to dictate it to others.
And by the way, no one ever said that they need the epps to fly the aircraft. Doctor's gowns do not treat patients, but the doctors do wear them. Police uniforms do not arrest criminals, but cops wear them too. The point I am trying to get at is identification is important in society. When I go to the nighborhood restaurant, I know who to summon when I need the waiter/waitress. Otherwise, I will end up talking to ten different people because of misidentification. Get a life man!
And by the way, no one ever said that they need the epps to fly the aircraft. Doctor's gowns do not treat patients, but the doctors do wear them. Police uniforms do not arrest criminals, but cops wear them too. The point I am trying to get at is identification is important in society. When I go to the nighborhood restaurant, I know who to summon when I need the waiter/waitress. Otherwise, I will end up talking to ten different people because of misidentification. Get a life man!
Join Date: Oct 2004
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ugflyer, Correct, identification is important in society. Read my first post. Wear them when on duty take them off when off duty. Policemen, firemen don't wear their uniforms when off duty so why should we. What makes us special? Do you think that just because you fly an aircraft you're above other professions? I'm not looking for your respect. This topic is about peoples opinions, everyone has them, you don't have to like them or accept them but you are goning to come up against one's you might not like, deal with it!
Join Date: Nov 2006
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C'MON
Okay ,I never said we should wear our uniforms when off duty. But if I am on my way to work, which in this case means my drive to the airport, I do not see why I should not have my unifrom on, and yes epps too.
Check this; The gentleman that lives across from me is a cop, and on the days that I see him going to work, he is fully dressed with gun in holster.
Check this; On the days that I go to the gym, I sometimes run into Fairfax county firemen at the gym working out. When they show up, they are wearing their fire suits, and they then change into dark blue t-shirts with FCFD emblazzoned on them. What is wrong with that?
And where in the world do you get the notion that I think my profession is better that any other just because I choose to wear my uniform on my way to or from work?
So according to you, since on my way to the airport I am not on duty, do you suggest I drive to the airport in a pair of shorts and t-shirt and change only on arrival at the airport?
Ingwe, your opinion does not count, so I just gave you one!
Check this; The gentleman that lives across from me is a cop, and on the days that I see him going to work, he is fully dressed with gun in holster.
Check this; On the days that I go to the gym, I sometimes run into Fairfax county firemen at the gym working out. When they show up, they are wearing their fire suits, and they then change into dark blue t-shirts with FCFD emblazzoned on them. What is wrong with that?
And where in the world do you get the notion that I think my profession is better that any other just because I choose to wear my uniform on my way to or from work?
So according to you, since on my way to the airport I am not on duty, do you suggest I drive to the airport in a pair of shorts and t-shirt and change only on arrival at the airport?
Ingwe, your opinion does not count, so I just gave you one!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: In the Haven of Peace
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madherb,
At last a reasoned and sensible reply to this thread
As for wearing bars to work, I guess it depends where you work. Out here in Nigeria, it's a good way to draw attention to yourself and makes you stand out as a suitable candidate for kidnapping
.
At last a reasoned and sensible reply to this thread
As for wearing bars to work, I guess it depends where you work. Out here in Nigeria, it's a good way to draw attention to yourself and makes you stand out as a suitable candidate for kidnapping
.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Blacks and bars....
I used to fly for a nice quiet little bannana airline in the east of Africa.... what I did was put my 4 stripes next to the 2 stripes of the little black baggage loader (on his epaulette wings).... he promptly marched around bossing everybody and everything in sight.... including the Cheif Pilot!! I was promptly invited for a sitting in the hot chair up at ops.... a cultural no-no..... unknowingly I "promoted" the poor little guy to a higher rank than anybody else.... he asked me for the stripes and I gave them to him for the fun of it.... he was latter sent away for a couple of days for re-education and a good hammering down.... I felt sorry for him - the CP was a big fat white Kenyan and his words were law....
6to8
6to8
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Another thread going nowhere----
At Cathay there are plenty of ex big jet co pilots and generally smaller jet/turboprop etc captains that are now sitting as ONE bar second officers. And at Air Mauritius I noticed the other day the male stewards wear full wings ( not half wing as is usual with cabin crew ) and up to THREE bars on their shoulders in white pilot shirts...
So who the f.. cares except a few clowns over here on my favourite rumour network..
At Cathay there are plenty of ex big jet co pilots and generally smaller jet/turboprop etc captains that are now sitting as ONE bar second officers. And at Air Mauritius I noticed the other day the male stewards wear full wings ( not half wing as is usual with cabin crew ) and up to THREE bars on their shoulders in white pilot shirts...
So who the f.. cares except a few clowns over here on my favourite rumour network..
Join Date: Aug 2006
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I.R.PIRATE, replace them on exiting the aircraft to facilitate easier passage though african airports
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Choppadrvr
I'm with u on that one.... hate the things. worked at the V&A and it was a requirement. Rather fly in shorts and t shirt or better still . . . baggies and no shirt.
I think this thread has pretty much covered the topic. As you get older, wiser, lazier you neglect to remove them when driving home. When you're new and happy to show ur a pilot you wear them anyway. Whats the diffs?
No bars in bars (or restaurants, malls etc)
Safe flyin all!!!
I think this thread has pretty much covered the topic. As you get older, wiser, lazier you neglect to remove them when driving home. When you're new and happy to show ur a pilot you wear them anyway. Whats the diffs?
No bars in bars (or restaurants, malls etc)
Safe flyin all!!!
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Peopel people...
Do anyone of you think the lady at the macdonalds, or the security gaurd infront of your security complex, complain about wearing their uniform, with the epps and caps and pepsi proppe going along with it. No they dont....
Its their job...(well maby not their passion) but im sure i can say that its 99% of aviators passion and work. So stop moaning like girls about your uniform and what goes with it.
Just dont disgrace your uniform! Like they said no bars in bars!!!!
Do anyone of you think the lady at the macdonalds, or the security gaurd infront of your security complex, complain about wearing their uniform, with the epps and caps and pepsi proppe going along with it. No they dont....
Its their job...(well maby not their passion) but im sure i can say that its 99% of aviators passion and work. So stop moaning like girls about your uniform and what goes with it.
Just dont disgrace your uniform! Like they said no bars in bars!!!!
Join Date: Aug 2000
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It's been a while since I bothered to even think about removing my bars. When I made the left seat, they gave me these huge, shiny bars, and I almost went outside and rolled around in the dirt just to make them look little less conspicuous. When the shine finally faded (yes, both ways), my CP made me put on new ones. Back to square one.
I put my uniform on when I go to work. I wear it when I work. If, on the way home I have to divert for (grocery) supplies, I wear it in the shop as well. Not because it gives me a hard on, but because I couldn't care less. My uniform is not offensive to the general public, is it?
I wear it when I position as well. I normally wear a jacket, so they know who I am from the beginning. I don't like it, whenever there is a delay I feel as if all the pax are blaming me. Don't bother me, please. Don't ask me questions. Yes, I know the other airline is much better. No, airliners don't fall like bricks if both engines stop. Yes, the landing was horrible. No, pilots are not usually drunk when they fly.
I would feel like an idiot if I wore any part of my uniform to a bar, but I've seen other crewmembers pocket the bars and head straight for the beer taps. I fully understand that, after all 10 minutes to closing is 10 minutes to closing.
I put my uniform on when I go to work. I wear it when I work. If, on the way home I have to divert for (grocery) supplies, I wear it in the shop as well. Not because it gives me a hard on, but because I couldn't care less. My uniform is not offensive to the general public, is it?
I wear it when I position as well. I normally wear a jacket, so they know who I am from the beginning. I don't like it, whenever there is a delay I feel as if all the pax are blaming me. Don't bother me, please. Don't ask me questions. Yes, I know the other airline is much better. No, airliners don't fall like bricks if both engines stop. Yes, the landing was horrible. No, pilots are not usually drunk when they fly.
I would feel like an idiot if I wore any part of my uniform to a bar, but I've seen other crewmembers pocket the bars and head straight for the beer taps. I fully understand that, after all 10 minutes to closing is 10 minutes to closing.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I am given to understand that a pilot's uniform and bars are quite the thing in gay clubs now. Sort of an alternative to the usual construction worker and red indian outfits immortalized by the Village People. Hmmmmm, now where did I put those bloody bars 
Join Date: May 2007
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The epualletes are the result of a long navy tradition, of which we have quite a few in aviation, (including terminology such as knots etc). It is simply to denote seniority on board the aircraft and in the service and is therefore a part of the uniformand should be worn as such.
But, if you go to Pick'n'pay supermarket in your uniform you will notice the following. If you are not wearing your bars you will be mistaken for a manager. If you are wearing your bars you will be mistaken for a security guard. Which do you prefer?
As for cabin crew wearing full wings? Next time i'll take a parachute with and when the s hits the fan simply hand over to the chief steward as i exit by the quickest route... doesn't anybody have a hacksaw in that airline?
But, if you go to Pick'n'pay supermarket in your uniform you will notice the following. If you are not wearing your bars you will be mistaken for a manager. If you are wearing your bars you will be mistaken for a security guard. Which do you prefer?
As for cabin crew wearing full wings? Next time i'll take a parachute with and when the s hits the fan simply hand over to the chief steward as i exit by the quickest route... doesn't anybody have a hacksaw in that airline?
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Honest to god true story.
A friend of mine worked in ops for a bizjet company, and part of his uniform was two very thin bars, one day he had to go to the local major airport to pick up some returning pilots.
He's sat at arrivals lounge and all of a sudden a guy comes and sits next to him with four big thick gold bars on each shoulder, a conversation is struck up and this gentleman (on noticing the two bars) asks my friend which company he flies for, he explains he's in operations and here picking up pilots, he returns the question to the gentleman, his reply;
"Oh i'm not a pilot, I work in IT, I just like coming down here at lunchtime with these bars on"
A friend of mine worked in ops for a bizjet company, and part of his uniform was two very thin bars, one day he had to go to the local major airport to pick up some returning pilots.
He's sat at arrivals lounge and all of a sudden a guy comes and sits next to him with four big thick gold bars on each shoulder, a conversation is struck up and this gentleman (on noticing the two bars) asks my friend which company he flies for, he explains he's in operations and here picking up pilots, he returns the question to the gentleman, his reply;
"Oh i'm not a pilot, I work in IT, I just like coming down here at lunchtime with these bars on"
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What a strange discussion...
If your UNIFORM includes epp's... Wear them. It's a uniform for heaven's sake. If you feel that it is inappropriate to wear your uniform to"wherever"... get changed! Why is it an issue to stop at the corner cafe for bread & milk in a uniform?
Popping into a pub for a beer after (or before!!) a flight... Probably just sensible to loose the uniform stuff and just look a like you've got bad dress sense.
PPL ... Come on people... No "uniform". Sensible flight kit may, of course, be appropriate though (place for a pen, or flight-suit in some cases, and so on).
Professional license holders on duty ... company uniform.
Wear it to work, at work, paxing on duty, and back home (or hotel). Get changed then because you probably don't smell that good anymore in those clothes (or is this problem unique to me?)
Bloody hell people, how much of a big deal can this possibly be? Why the big issue. And as for the three chaps in uniform at Fourways.. maybe they were just popping in to get a bite to eat between flights. Did anyone notice three Augusta 109's parked out back? (Possible, if not likely).
Interesting thread though...
P&F
If your UNIFORM includes epp's... Wear them. It's a uniform for heaven's sake. If you feel that it is inappropriate to wear your uniform to"wherever"... get changed! Why is it an issue to stop at the corner cafe for bread & milk in a uniform?
Popping into a pub for a beer after (or before!!) a flight... Probably just sensible to loose the uniform stuff and just look a like you've got bad dress sense.
PPL ... Come on people... No "uniform". Sensible flight kit may, of course, be appropriate though (place for a pen, or flight-suit in some cases, and so on).
Professional license holders on duty ... company uniform.
Wear it to work, at work, paxing on duty, and back home (or hotel). Get changed then because you probably don't smell that good anymore in those clothes (or is this problem unique to me?)
Bloody hell people, how much of a big deal can this possibly be? Why the big issue. And as for the three chaps in uniform at Fourways.. maybe they were just popping in to get a bite to eat between flights. Did anyone notice three Augusta 109's parked out back? (Possible, if not likely).
Interesting thread though...
P&F