Pax-ing in uniform?
 

A quick question for the airline pilots on here. I was on a Virgin Blue flight recently between Melbourne and Sydney and the guy sitting a few rows from me down the back was wearing a pilot's uniform, complete with cap. I know he wasn't a VB pilot because I know their uniforms don't include a tie and cap. His cap looks as though it has three letters on it (possibly Rex?).

My question is, is it standard practice to be pax-ing in full uniform, or do you normally wear casuals until you're on duty? Logic would suggest that you wouldn't be in uniform if you weren't on duty, as others could mistake you for someone of who is in a position of responsibility for the duty of care on the flight (in the event of an emergency where there's confusion etc). I've been on public transport where I know pilots have taken off their epaulettes and IDs etc, so that they appear "casual", so that's why I'm curious about seeing this guy in full uniform at the back of a Virgin Blue flight.

I see nothing wrong with it, assuming he was in transit to work, or perhaps even as part of his work.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not being critical of it. I'm just wondering what the standard practice is for pax-ing pilots.

Getting off a paxing flight to crew one at the other end I wear all the gear. Getting off a flight I was a crewmember on, I take all the stuff off that identifies me as a pilot and who I work for so I can have a beer on the way home.

Wot a tosser!

Personally, I do the same as TKFS but definitely no cap.

Regards,
BH.

At Cathay Pacific, its a requirement to wear uniform when PXing. Once on, we all change so we can sleep and put our uniforms on before leaving the aircraft.
Once in Hong Kong, you will never see bars, caps, coats or name badges on anyone once through customs.

If this was a rex pilot then it is company policy to be in full uniform. The way things are still going at rex (still short of crews), is he was already late to crew a flight and would need to go straight out to the aircraft to operate it. Trust me if people at rex didnt have to wear the **** uniforms & hats they wouldn't but cases in the past for not wearing everything as stated in the PPM gets you soc'd (subject to operational clearance), with a tea & biscuits meating. The management are anal about it down to wing pins.

Ok, thanks for the explanation "penetrator :\ " ..

I'm pretty sure he was a Rex pilot. It's a navy blue coloured uniform, a bit like the RAAF colour blue, but a shade darker. So, then begs the question, what's a regional pilot doing paxing interstate? Or are Rex that short of pilots that they need to do this kind of thing?

The Saab sim is in Tullamarine, which may explain the uniform and the travel.

Mine wings, bars & asic are off the moment I get back to the crew room. I often pax RPT for company purposes and make sure I de - identify myself.

I feel very uncomfortable wearing a uniform in public and prefer to be anonymous just like the average joe. I'm proud to wear the uniform when it is required but that is as far as I go.

And Rex operates out of NSW, VIC, SA and now QLD which may explain it too........

I was not aware pax-ing was a term.

I saw a QF pilot get off a NZ flight from ZQN at CHC then boarded another NZ flight to AKL. (He must not like Jetstar:))

I don't see much of a problem with crew paxing with there uniforms on.

What was it? Jokes no good? :} :ok:

Common practice in Rex will be that the guys and gals will be operating as soon as they get off the aircraft and hence the need for full battle dress uniform as they are considered being on duty.

As TKFS said, if I'm off duty I take all the accessories off to enjoy a beer on the flight home. :ok:

JFG
Yes despite what they say they are short. Crews are still being called in on rdo's, annual leave, being sent interstate all the time to cover flights. Nobody that I know of is getting away without being called in on reserve days & this is not to just cover sickness. Still a very sad state of affairs at rex with regards to crew happiness T&C's. Watch out when the majors start hiring again! Might just be the nail in the coffin this time for rex. They are also trying to force fo's that have had annual leave rostered by them, cancelled to cover short falls.

Our carrier in Hong Kong demands that we wear our uniform when paxing, even if it is going back to HKG to finish our duty!!
b.

Not that I wear my uniform in public, but even when I am wearing it, I consider myself the same as average Joe anyway. Im just wearing my work clobber.

Im just your average joe, with a regular job, I'm your average white suburbanised slob... :E I like football and :mad:o's and books about war....................

Besides, no differant then the Navy wearing full uniform on flights except they always seem hungover. Best use I have ever seen for those hats......... Storage space for a half eaten hamburger and an obvious bottle of Jacks :E

I usually pax in uniform. On the way to work I'm required to. On the way home its optional. I choose to because 1) Less hassle from the TSA 2) My rollaboard is oversized (tours are 7 days each) so less hassle from the FA's and 3) if I eat in the terminal I get an employee discount.

I hate to break the illusion, but the public in general neither notice or care if someone is wearing a uniform.