Wearing a suit for a class 1 medical
 

I've heard that people wear suits to Gatwick to do their initial class 1, is this true and if so why?

I am attending the Mater in Dublin for a class 1 there next week and was wondering if people do the same there? I really wasn't planning on wearing a suit but what do people do?

May seem a stupid question but I am interested to know. Thanks

I didn't, and nor did anybody else that was there at the same time. After all, it's not an interview but an appointment to see the doctor.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Whatever you decide upon is up to you, because once you start you won't be wearing it for long!

I think you'd get some strange looks if you walked in wearing a suit.

You would be wrong. It is the headquarters of the UK CAA. A lot of people wear suits there. Nobody will give you any strange looks (unless it is your birthday suit) but there is no requirement to wear anything other than what you are comfortable with. For a good portion of the time you are there, you will be in your underwear and a bathrobe.

If it's the Mater just wear something smart casual. It's a long day and you don't want to be feeling uncomfortable:ok:

Actually you will not be going to the Mater Private Hospital as the aeromedical section has moved across the street to 69 Eccles Street. The Mater is used for the ECG and probably the EEG. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and remember that you should be fasting prior to the blood work.

PrestonPilot,

This has been previously discussed ....

http://www.pprune.org/medical-health...dical-lgw.html

Much the same conclusion as here in terms of comfort first.

I went for my initial recently. No suits, just smart casual for me, and there was no changing into bathrobes at all.

Whatever you are comfortable with. Folks who have/had asthma may have to get an extra lung function test... At the CAA, part of this involved donning a hi-viz vest and running round the building 5 times, not comfortable or ideal in suit shoes! And you pay something like 35 quid extra for the privilege.

Exactly this.

I wore jeans and t-shirt and stayed in jeans and t-shirt for the duration. Everyone else was dressed the same. Although one guy had a bathrobe on.

Who's money are you spending?
Seriously the CAA or IAA are not going to worry one iota what you are wearing, for the record when I took my inital in Sept 2003, I wore jeans, trainers and a tee shirt.
For the record, when I have my renewal, I still wear Jeans, shoes and a shirt. Thats me comfortable. You should be comfy, not stiff. Remember this is not a interview.

Yeah think this thread can be ended now. Thanks for the replies.

I still wonder why people would wear a suit though, quite strange.

I can't quite remember, but I'm pretty sure I wore a suit for my initial with the CAA. I was having a medical with my future employer immediately afterwards and prefered to take the risk of looking out of place at the CAA. Wear what you want to wear and try not to judge other people for what they are wearing, and you won't go far wrong.

I wore shorts, t-shirt and trainers. You will be there for a while and you will need to undress on more than 1 occasion - worst case scenario you may be asked to run on a treadmill, a suit may not be suitable.