Is it wise to be seen drinking in uniform?

[Hotel Tango]

Dear Moderator,

I had difficulty in deciding which forum this should go in. You may wish to redirect this thread.

On a trip I took last week was a positioning crew in uniform. Prior to doors closing the positioning Captain was having a chat with his company colleagues on the F/D. Whilst doing so he took off his jacket as well as the stripes on his shirt and then proceeded to take a seat in the cabin. During the short flight he consumed two small bottles of wine. Now, I happen to know that he had more than 12 hours to go before reporting for duty, so his drinking a small amount of wine is not the issue here. What did strike me though was whether, with all the negative headline publicity about drinking pilots these days, this was a wise course of action? The fact was that despite his efforts to “de-uniform” himself once on board, most of the pax had already seen him in full uniform at the gate. Can you imagine if this had been seen by a Sun reporter (or reader for that matter)! Had he not been in uniform he would not have attracted any attention to himself. Why do crews have to position in uniform when many hours away from starting duty?

[aeroconejo]

It really is not a good idea to drink in uniform and it is certainly not allowed in my company or any that I have worked for.

I have though seen many crew from a major European National Flag Carrier check into a hotel for a nightstop and go straight to the bar where they drink in uniform in front of everyone. The hotel in question was my home for 5 months last year and there were always around 24 of our crew there who would always change into 'civvies' before entering the bar. One particular Captain of said national carrier was drinking until around 01.00 on one occasion and I boarded his flight as a pax 7 hours later. Not good!!!

With regard to positioning in uniform, I usually do this to make the journey smoother. I often have to catch 3 flights to get to work and being in uniform means I can go through the 'crew channel' at busy hubs which is handy when the connection is a little tight.

It also means that I arrive at my workplace with my uniform (and spare undies, shirt etc in hand luggage) as my main articles of luggage often arrive a day or two after me!!!

I hope this answers your question.

aero

[zerozero]

Personally, I never partake while in uniform.

But...

...I must admit, I carry a light sweater (jumper) with me and I'll throw that on and remove my tie and no one is the wiser.

:8

[aeroconejo]

totally in agreement there....all of us 'old hands' carry a disguise kit for a beer after duty!!!!

aero;)

[wiggy]

Hotel Tango
Just a bit more info and I'm not sure if this applies in the case you saw but in some parts of the world ( e.g. in and out of India) it is a State requirement that positioning crews go through immigration/passport control in Uniform.

[Hotel Tango]

Let me rephrase. If you have to travel off duty in uniform, is it wise to be seen drinking alcohol by passengers? The point I was trying to make is that in the current "Big Brother is Watching" climate of negative headline reporting by the media, is it not risking further unnecessary attention to oneself? The guy I mention above didn't really disguise his crew status that well. Anyway, I now sound as if I'm making a big issue of it which is not the intention. No judgement intended, I simply and genuinely thought it perhaps unwise.

[zerozero]

You're absolutely correct. It's unwise.

When I position, I present myself one of two ways.

1) In full uniform (and I will *not* drink).

2) Or in clothing that won't identify me as a crew member (and I *may* have a drink--but only if I'm deadheading into a rest period).

I agree that it's pretty risky these days to present oneself as a crewmember and then remove a few things (stripes and hat) and have a drink.

You're either on duty or off as far as the public is concerned and if you're off duty you should just "blend in"...

...and that's when my sweater (jumper) comes in very handy. Sort of like Superman's cape--but not really, I guess.

If I was the crewmember in question, in uniform but without the stripes or jacket, then I'd probably just have orange juice. It's better for you anyway.

:cool:

[320.Buser]

Simply: NEVER drink in uniform. NEVER.

[Avman]

Quiet obviously if the said crew member is seated in the cabin then he/she is NOT flying the plane and therefore I see no problem whatsoever in that person having a drink.

Aside from failing to understand your rant about white shirts, I dispute your logic Speedbrake! Travelling in uniform, they could be a crew positioning out to fly the same aircraft back for example. The pax don't know do they. So don't give them amunition. Even if just off duty, and not flying for several days I would think it prudent not to drink in uniform.

[TheGorrilla]

Always carry a drinking suit. You never know when you may need it :E .

[beechgal]

Hi everyone,

Being new here, please excuse me if i ask some "obvious" questions :) What is "positioning" in reference to the posts you have mentioned it in context?

Zerozero... like your points of view :cool: i guess that "superman" cape works at times!

[zerozero]

Hi Beechgal, welcome to Pprune.

When a crew member "positions" that means he is riding on an aircraft (either in the cockpit jumpseat or in the passenger cabin) to "get in position" for his next duty assignment.

He's not technically a part of the "operating" crew *but* he is considered "on duty".

Naturally, if one is positioning to operate, he's obligated to observe all rest requirements and abstain from alcohol.

If he's deadheading (just riding along, perhaps after operating) his rest period will begin usually 30 mins after the flight blocks in.

[beechgal]

Zerozero.. thanks, i appreciate that info :) When i was travelling on a flight about 2 months ago, i noticed one of the passengers was actually a pilot in his uniform, and couldn't quite understand what was going on as it looked like he was just a normal passenger but in his uniform :confused: Funnily though, felt a little more relaxed at the prospect of having an "extra" set of hands on our flight in case :p Now i understand what the term means :ok:

Thank you for the welcome as well :)

[Ropey Pilot]

Airlines are become like Kindergartens

Not really, the problem is the playground mentality of the tabloid press and all that read them.

Aviation has become an easy story these days and sensationalism in rife. Recently a Virgin skipper was arrested because it was suspected that he had been drinking. Big hoo-ha all over the papers.

Very little about the fact he was entirely innocent and his breath smelt a bit funny because he was on the Atkins diet:rolleyes:

Everyone seems to be out to get you nowadays - why stick your head above the parapet needlessly.

And speedbrake - I do suggest you never travel in a polyester short-sleeved white shirt with epaulettes; mainly beacause the fashion police will be all over you:}

[john_tullamarine]

PB is just trying to raise a chuckle or two .. but probably the style is better left to other, more appropriate forums.

[Piltdown Man]

A few years ago I remember frequenting a brilliant bar in Zaventum (next door to BRU). It was the airline's staff equivalent of the golfer's "19th Hole" and you looked out of place in "civvies". I do know that the bar still exists and wonder what its clientelle wears nowadays. I hope it hasn't changed too much.

PM