Pilots wearing uniforms at airports
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Brisbane, Qld
Age: 48
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilots wearing uniforms at airports
hi guys
Just a question for my understanding - why do pilots NOT wear their uniforms at airports? I was at YBBN on Saturday morning and spotted quite a few pilots with their wings, caps, etc all hidden or tucked into their bags.
Is there a requirement to not wear them unless on duty or is it something more? (I'm not trying to stir...just understand as I pointed out a few pilots to my son who asked "but daddy, why aren't they wearing their hats?" and I wasn't really sure how to answer).
Thanks
P
Just a question for my understanding - why do pilots NOT wear their uniforms at airports? I was at YBBN on Saturday morning and spotted quite a few pilots with their wings, caps, etc all hidden or tucked into their bags.
Is there a requirement to not wear them unless on duty or is it something more? (I'm not trying to stir...just understand as I pointed out a few pilots to my son who asked "but daddy, why aren't they wearing their hats?" and I wasn't really sure how to answer).
Thanks
P
It's certainly easier to move through the punters unmolested.
Example: When I was flying for an airline in the Pacific, we used to go to/from Los Angeles. When it was time to leave LA we had to stand around at the QF counter for about ten minutes waiting for the cabin crew to show up. Invariably we'd get several punters come up and ask us where such-and-such airline counter was. That got old really quickly so I just used to say, "oh they're about two hundred yards that way" and point down the far end of the terminal. The other crew would ask me how I knew that.
"How would I know?"
Example: When I was flying for an airline in the Pacific, we used to go to/from Los Angeles. When it was time to leave LA we had to stand around at the QF counter for about ten minutes waiting for the cabin crew to show up. Invariably we'd get several punters come up and ask us where such-and-such airline counter was. That got old really quickly so I just used to say, "oh they're about two hundred yards that way" and point down the far end of the terminal. The other crew would ask me how I knew that.
"How would I know?"
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: what should be capital of Oz
Age: 68
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not wear them unless on duty
I guess you have to consider the wan*er factor, though.
As well as you don't want the great unwashed public coming up to you all irate and saying "That landing was so bad it broke all my duty free booze".
Its just accepted practice. If you spot a fellow Pilot at the local shops getting a coffee in uniform you have a bit of a chuckle.
The worst offenders are generally SPLs, hell I saw a WAAC student at a nightclub in Perth years ago in full uniform on the dance floor, (around 2005??) I think the pictures may have been posted on here
The only time the uniform is fair game is commuting to and from work, some guys even remove the insignia as soon as they log off at shifts end.
The worst offenders are generally SPLs, hell I saw a WAAC student at a nightclub in Perth years ago in full uniform on the dance floor, (around 2005??) I think the pictures may have been posted on here
The only time the uniform is fair game is commuting to and from work, some guys even remove the insignia as soon as they log off at shifts end.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Asleep on a bench
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For pilots on duty travel heading back home they will often remove wings etc' or put a sweater on so that they can have a drink. The general rule is no alcohol can be purchased or consumed while there is anything that identifies you as being part of the airline. The other side to this though is that if you do have any part of the uniform on then you have to wear all of it. That is to say, you can't just go half and half (say wings on and no epaulettes).
It is also a case of wanting to be somewhat invisible as 18-wheeler points out. I know when I am on duty travel heading home it is not uncommon for the passenger next to me to ask all the usual questions about flying if I am in uniform. I have no problem with this and I will always oblige, but sometimes if I just want to sleep or relax it is easier to remove all evidence. I have to say I feel a bit uncomfortable when people start staring at the uniform but that's just me.
It is also a case of wanting to be somewhat invisible as 18-wheeler points out. I know when I am on duty travel heading home it is not uncommon for the passenger next to me to ask all the usual questions about flying if I am in uniform. I have no problem with this and I will always oblige, but sometimes if I just want to sleep or relax it is easier to remove all evidence. I have to say I feel a bit uncomfortable when people start staring at the uniform but that's just me.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: In a pipe in the upstairs water closet
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Further to Gen. Anaesthetic's experiences, whenever I have to duty travel then to operate on the other side, I'll wear the uniform only to have the usual wise crack 'Hey mate, aren't you supposed to be up the front?' 
I usually reply with, 'I should...thought it might be a tad more adventurous if I tried driving from row 3.' But to keep to the thread I, like the rest of the piloting fraternity, will only wear the uniform at work.
Fuel-Off
I usually reply with, 'I should...thought it might be a tad more adventurous if I tried driving from row 3.' But to keep to the thread I, like the rest of the piloting fraternity, will only wear the uniform at work. Fuel-Off
Just the other day I had to cringe when I saw a student pilot in full uniform walk into a busy suburban shopping centre.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: australia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some SPLs obviously have the need to have something pinned to their chest to justify the dosh that their forking out nowadays ! 5 command hours to get GFPT would have to be worth 1 gold bar surely ? 
As you work up the food chain in life there's really no need to try to impress the wannabees on the side line, dressing down is dressing up in a way. Even chefs don't go home in their uniform.
Personally i cant think of anything worse than seeing 300 hour junior grade 3s strutting their stuff barred up to the hilt, parading around like their in the mardi gra their the worse offenders in my book.
Unless your in RPT or pax charter its a big toss methinks.
As you work up the food chain in life there's really no need to try to impress the wannabees on the side line, dressing down is dressing up in a way. Even chefs don't go home in their uniform.
Personally i cant think of anything worse than seeing 300 hour junior grade 3s strutting their stuff barred up to the hilt, parading around like their in the mardi gra their the worse offenders in my book.
Unless your in RPT or pax charter its a big toss methinks.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: world capital of the world
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
a WAAC student at a nightclub in Perth years ago in full uniform
a student pilot in full uniform walk into a busy suburban shopping centre.
the wan*er factor,
strutting their stuff barred up to the hilt
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: next door
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its suprises me the insecurities of so many on here (and it only seems to apply to Australia) - and how they consider themselves 'too cool' to wear their unifom - even when in the airport.
I can understand there are some valid reasons for not wearing it - i.e paxing after operating, and just wanting to remain anonymous or have a drink - but really, is it that big a deal. I often see crew in Hong Kong and London wearing uniforms whilst sitting in airport coffee shops, or even on public transport such at the Airport express or Heathrow Express - its really not that big a deal.
As for 18-wheeler - is it really that hard to either assist someone as best you can, or just politely apologise and tell them that your not based at LAX. You must be a prized tw@t, and must feel like the big man after your actions! I am frequently asked by passengers while walking through heathrow where such and such is, and its nothing, to try assist or a polite smile and small apology cant resolve - i consider it a common courtesy....I guess you are too cool to need to ask anyone for assistance.
I know there is a time and place for the uniform but dont see any problems with guys wearing their uniforms in or near the airport especially.
I can understand there are some valid reasons for not wearing it - i.e paxing after operating, and just wanting to remain anonymous or have a drink - but really, is it that big a deal. I often see crew in Hong Kong and London wearing uniforms whilst sitting in airport coffee shops, or even on public transport such at the Airport express or Heathrow Express - its really not that big a deal.
As for 18-wheeler - is it really that hard to either assist someone as best you can, or just politely apologise and tell them that your not based at LAX. You must be a prized tw@t, and must feel like the big man after your actions! I am frequently asked by passengers while walking through heathrow where such and such is, and its nothing, to try assist or a polite smile and small apology cant resolve - i consider it a common courtesy....I guess you are too cool to need to ask anyone for assistance.
I know there is a time and place for the uniform but dont see any problems with guys wearing their uniforms in or near the airport especially.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: The Land Downunder
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can I ask it around the other way. 'Why would you wear your uniform when not about to report for, or actually being on duty??'
As soon as I hit the carpark all 'pilot' identifying guff comes off, but then again I also tell people at social gatherings that I sell 'UPVC Piping' as I became totally sick of people venting their 'bad' airline stories or insisting on telling me I get paid far too much money for simply pushing a few buttons
As soon as I hit the carpark all 'pilot' identifying guff comes off, but then again I also tell people at social gatherings that I sell 'UPVC Piping' as I became totally sick of people venting their 'bad' airline stories or insisting on telling me I get paid far too much money for simply pushing a few buttons
What's the big deal about when someone is wearing their uniform?
Personally I'm too lazy to change out of my zoombag until I get home afte a long shift... Big deal... That being said, I certainly don't go out of my way to where it anywhere other than when I'm rostered on..
Personally I'm too lazy to change out of my zoombag until I get home afte a long shift... Big deal... That being said, I certainly don't go out of my way to where it anywhere other than when I'm rostered on..