Epaulette Etiquette
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Epaulette Etiquette
I want to throw this question out there, as I can't find any resources regarding this, and wanted to know what the general etiquette is out there...
What is regarded as good etiquette when wearing your bird droppings?
What is regarded as good etiquette when wearing your bird droppings?
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Use them when you are flying passengers-they are after all for the benefit of the people in the back-don't be a pratt and cruise into you local pub or restaurant dressed in your finery-apart from everyone thinking you"re a wally its also unprofessional to see a pilot with "bars " on and a beer in his hand.
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I agree with what you are saying, but that is stating the obvious.
Do not use them in bars (spit)
Do not go to a restaurant in them after work (spit x2)
Don't go and do your grocery shopping at Pick and Pay with them etc etc etc....
Anyone that has done that, really needs some help.
There should be military etiquette regarding epaulettes, but this obviously shouldn't be in line with pilots, but there might be some good reference points regarding that.
Anything interesting from the older generation regarding this?
Do not use them in bars (spit)
Do not go to a restaurant in them after work (spit x2)
Don't go and do your grocery shopping at Pick and Pay with them etc etc etc....
Anyone that has done that, really needs some help.
There should be military etiquette regarding epaulettes, but this obviously shouldn't be in line with pilots, but there might be some good reference points regarding that.
Anything interesting from the older generation regarding this?
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There should be military etiquette regarding epaulettes, but this obviously shouldn't be in line with pilots, but there might be some good reference points regarding that
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It's pretty simple really. Have your lady staple them to your shoulders before you commence your evenings entertainment, and make sure she applies some anti-bacterial cream to your shoulders when she rips them off in the morning...
Don't forget to clean the blood off before you wear them to work. Upsets the pax if you don't.
Don't forget to clean the blood off before you wear them to work. Upsets the pax if you don't.
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Last month, Fourways Mall, Saturday morning, three guys, mid 20s ,white shirts and wearing Epaulettes, I kid you not. What where they thinking or did they think it was the new terminal for Lanseria?
On a serious note, some companies I worked for (not south african) insisted for security reasons to remove epaulettes once you leave the airport and not to signal your self out as aircrew (also normal sweatshirt etc over white shirt, evne in crew bus). Better to look like a bunch of tourists than a bunch of foreigners who if kidnapped will be worth an insurance pay out from an employer policy (ok white guy sticks out in middle Africa but we where talking S.America etc where you could "blend in").
On a serious note, some companies I worked for (not south african) insisted for security reasons to remove epaulettes once you leave the airport and not to signal your self out as aircrew (also normal sweatshirt etc over white shirt, evne in crew bus). Better to look like a bunch of tourists than a bunch of foreigners who if kidnapped will be worth an insurance pay out from an employer policy (ok white guy sticks out in middle Africa but we where talking S.America etc where you could "blend in").
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Nope. But we never ate, drank or smoked in uniform unless it was on the base. Hiked home and back to camp in uniform but never left camp for any other non military reason unless in civvies. That was a while back, though.
Came as quite a shock the first time I saw a brigadier slouching on a street corner picking his nose, I can tell you...
Came as quite a shock the first time I saw a brigadier slouching on a street corner picking his nose, I can tell you...
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Okay, so I spoke to some people who have been in the industry since before I was born.
It seems that, generally, wear your 'droppings' on an airfield, and only on an airfield. The rest of the time keep your ego, and 'droppings', in your shirt pocket.
Other times that it is generally accepted to wear them are when you need to do official business, that requires you to be identified as a pilot, e.g. filing flight plans, need to go for some official business at an aviation related organization...
or
when traveling, for example, from SA to let say Angola, where they can be quite difficult at customs. This shows the officials that you are crew, and it makes life MUCH easier when entering the country.
As for seeing people wear their droppings in shopping centres, or anywhere else for that matter....
All I can say is.... shame.... go and give the poor boys a huggy. Their moma's probably didn't.
It seems that, generally, wear your 'droppings' on an airfield, and only on an airfield. The rest of the time keep your ego, and 'droppings', in your shirt pocket.
Other times that it is generally accepted to wear them are when you need to do official business, that requires you to be identified as a pilot, e.g. filing flight plans, need to go for some official business at an aviation related organization...
or
when traveling, for example, from SA to let say Angola, where they can be quite difficult at customs. This shows the officials that you are crew, and it makes life MUCH easier when entering the country.
As for seeing people wear their droppings in shopping centres, or anywhere else for that matter....
All I can say is.... shame.... go and give the poor boys a huggy. Their moma's probably didn't.
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Most bizaare topic I am afraid?
So, on reflection, nothing new has been said and everyone does what everyone thinks anyhow.
If you are on duty wear your uniform, if you are not on duty, but feel it appropriate for some reason, wear the uniform, if it makes you feel special and big by wearing your uniform in 4ways mall, wear your uniform in 4ways mall...
Who cares?
So, on reflection, nothing new has been said and everyone does what everyone thinks anyhow.
If you are on duty wear your uniform, if you are not on duty, but feel it appropriate for some reason, wear the uniform, if it makes you feel special and big by wearing your uniform in 4ways mall, wear your uniform in 4ways mall...
Who cares?
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1 Capt of a commercial/corporate aircraft flying in either capacity wears 4.
2 FO wears 2 or 3, depends on company protocol.
3 PPLs or non TRI/TRE instructors DO NOT WEAR ANY!!! (unless they want
to look real poser prats)
4 No-one, whatsoever, wears stripes on an overcoat unless they really
want to look a complete w@nker - it is very PPL. see 3 above. That is
just coming the big "I am!" to your oppos...which is saaad!
5 Crew positioning direct to/from a duty.
6 Some places it helps to impress bureautwats/minions at check-in etc
(at uncivilised airports.)
2 FO wears 2 or 3, depends on company protocol.
3 PPLs or non TRI/TRE instructors DO NOT WEAR ANY!!! (unless they want
to look real poser prats)
4 No-one, whatsoever, wears stripes on an overcoat unless they really
want to look a complete w@nker - it is very PPL. see 3 above. That is
just coming the big "I am!" to your oppos...which is saaad!
5 Crew positioning direct to/from a duty.
6 Some places it helps to impress bureautwats/minions at check-in etc
(at uncivilised airports.)
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And out of respect, I will never wear bars in another pilot's aircraft. If travelling, I will take them off on enterring and replace them on exiting the aircraft to facilitate easier passage though african airports.
Only put them on when I get to the airfield, and take them off as soon as I am rid of the pax.
Oh yes and did I mention :
I get naked and then place them on my shoulders before I wrap myself up in cling film and climb onto the cupboard, to pounce on the unsuspecting missus as she gets home from work. 
Only put them on when I get to the airfield, and take them off as soon as I am rid of the pax.
Oh yes and did I mention :
I get naked and then place them on my shoulders before I wrap myself up in cling film and climb onto the cupboard, to pounce on the unsuspecting missus as she gets home from work.
