Airline Pilot Uniforms
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 647
Likes: 19
From: East side of OZ
Personally I hate the pilot caps.
Without our caps where would we put all our 'stuff' when we get to our hotel rooms?
First thing off, cap, then into it goes wings, slides, wallet, ID card, earplugs, hanky, tie, loose change, room key, two for one drink coupon etc etc, I'd lose way too much of my 'stuff' if I didn't have my pilot's cap.
It also comes in handy for doing the walkaround when it's pissin down!
Regards,
BH.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: USA
What, you wait until you are in the hotel to take your stuff off ?
First thing I used to do is and I learned that with the captains was: After pax are all out, take off stripes, wings, hide ID tag and take the tie off.
That way you can blend in nicely and nobody will notice the difference between.
First thing I used to do is and I learned that with the captains was: After pax are all out, take off stripes, wings, hide ID tag and take the tie off.
That way you can blend in nicely and nobody will notice the difference between.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: USA
yeah right,
since when do 727 pilots fly in Hugo Boss uniforms ? LOL, unless of course you are not flying 727 anymore but I am very interested in knowing which airline besides Alitalia provides designer suits ?
since when do 727 pilots fly in Hugo Boss uniforms ? LOL, unless of course you are not flying 727 anymore but I am very interested in knowing which airline besides Alitalia provides designer suits ?
Buttonpusher
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 449
Likes: 4
From: Bloody Hell
Had my captains wings given to me during a working lunch trying to get through upgrade class, had my wings accidentally dropped in my pepper steak before they were handed to me.
Truly memorable.
Truly memorable.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: aussie land
Without our caps where would we put all our 'stuff' when we get to our hotel rooms?
First thing off, cap, then into it goes wings, slides, wallet, ID card, earplugs, hanky, tie, loose change, room key, two for one drink coupon etc etc, I'd lose way too much of my 'stuff' if I didn't have my pilot's cap.
First thing off, cap, then into it goes wings, slides, wallet, ID card, earplugs, hanky, tie, loose change, room key, two for one drink coupon etc etc, I'd lose way too much of my 'stuff' if I didn't have my pilot's cap.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: aussie land
Still reckon caps are crap! 
(just joking).
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: aussie land
Had my captains wings given to me during a working lunch trying to get through upgrade class, had my wings accidentally dropped in my pepper steak before they were handed to me.
Truly memorable.
Truly memorable.
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: In the SIM
JulieFlyGal,
Its been 3 years since I got my first airline job, and getting your uniform I thought, was a special day.
We did not have a ceremony, however, it was like being a kid in a sweet shop, knowing after all those years of hard work, you were finally going to put on that uniform and fly aeroplanes for a living. One comment that was made, was if you can still get into those trousers in 1 years time you are not eating enough crew food
. Dam I hate the gym .
Another proud moment is walking upto the aircraft in that new uniform and doing your first line flight. It is great, you can actually walk through the door, turn left walk through another door and take your seat, on the right of course. The amount of times I used to shoe horn myself into a C152 while teaching, well walking into the flight deck was a real novelty!
Anyway, I thought I would share that with you. All the best with your training, it really is worth it when you achieve your goals
.
Its been 3 years since I got my first airline job, and getting your uniform I thought, was a special day.
We did not have a ceremony, however, it was like being a kid in a sweet shop, knowing after all those years of hard work, you were finally going to put on that uniform and fly aeroplanes for a living. One comment that was made, was if you can still get into those trousers in 1 years time you are not eating enough crew food
. Dam I hate the gym .Another proud moment is walking upto the aircraft in that new uniform and doing your first line flight. It is great, you can actually walk through the door, turn left walk through another door and take your seat, on the right of course. The amount of times I used to shoe horn myself into a C152 while teaching, well walking into the flight deck was a real novelty!
Anyway, I thought I would share that with you. All the best with your training, it really is worth it when you achieve your goals
.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: UK
For female pilots, the process of getting the uniform can be depressing. My first company provided a selection of items of men's clothing in a plastic bag. Included amongst them was a foul weather jacket that could have doubled as a tent, a "small" NATO jumper the length of a dress and five short-sleeved shirts with armholes that gaped to the waist. Only the tie and epaulettes fitted! Did I feel smart? No.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: New York City
The military made a big deal about getting wings. After a year of high-pressure training, it really was a big deal.
As a new-hire airline pilot my class found our wings and stripes on our classroom tables when we came back from lunch one day about 3/4 of the way through ground school. After being fitted for uniforms, they arrived in the mail a few weeks later. The postman didn't even flinch.
With upgrade to captain came the order form for new wings and stripes, again delivered in the mail with no ceremony of note.
(Thank God my airline did away with mandatory hats about 5 years ago. What a pain in the patootie to commute with that thing.)
As a new-hire airline pilot my class found our wings and stripes on our classroom tables when we came back from lunch one day about 3/4 of the way through ground school. After being fitted for uniforms, they arrived in the mail a few weeks later. The postman didn't even flinch.
With upgrade to captain came the order form for new wings and stripes, again delivered in the mail with no ceremony of note.
(Thank God my airline did away with mandatory hats about 5 years ago. What a pain in the patootie to commute with that thing.)
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
From: Do I come here often?
Jetjockey USA;
I'm a management pilot with a corporate outfit and we also wear "designer uniforms" The colour of ours is a midnight blue with the usual gold braid. They cost very little more than the usual uniform suppliers offerings, tend to be harder wearing and fit better. Mr Boss gives a very good service.
Another company on the same airport get theirs made in Hong Kong by a tailor their boss uses.
We ensure that all necessarry uniform supplies are in the office ready for a new hire on his first day with the company. He may be spending the next month in a classroom and simulator, but we want him to know he belongs.
On promotion he gets all new gear, and all pilots get a new jacket, two pairs of trousers and seven new shirts a year, to go with the two jackets four pairs of trousers and all the rest that arrives in a big cardboard box the day they start. As for any ceremony, normally completion of line training/command course involve a few beers in the local pub.
I'm a management pilot with a corporate outfit and we also wear "designer uniforms" The colour of ours is a midnight blue with the usual gold braid. They cost very little more than the usual uniform suppliers offerings, tend to be harder wearing and fit better. Mr Boss gives a very good service.
Another company on the same airport get theirs made in Hong Kong by a tailor their boss uses.
We ensure that all necessarry uniform supplies are in the office ready for a new hire on his first day with the company. He may be spending the next month in a classroom and simulator, but we want him to know he belongs.
On promotion he gets all new gear, and all pilots get a new jacket, two pairs of trousers and seven new shirts a year, to go with the two jackets four pairs of trousers and all the rest that arrives in a big cardboard box the day they start. As for any ceremony, normally completion of line training/command course involve a few beers in the local pub.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Asia
The pilot hat has its traditions from the nautical profession and airship days as does the rest of our uniform and many of the rules of the air and aviation terminology. A peaked hat is a symbol of authority and professionalism, hence the police, military, merchant marine and many other rank based trades wear it. The hat also easily identifies the flight crew. Those that are concerned about passengers harassing them after a flight, wear a hat, you may be surprised the affect it has.
If they are to do away with hats as part of the uniform then reform the entire outfit, wear a plain business shirt and be called flight manager and assistant flight manager or wear the same uniform as the cabin crew. Airline management would appreciate the pilots being brought down a level. Besides there are many hat making families that depend on the business....
If they are to do away with hats as part of the uniform then reform the entire outfit, wear a plain business shirt and be called flight manager and assistant flight manager or wear the same uniform as the cabin crew. Airline management would appreciate the pilots being brought down a level. Besides there are many hat making families that depend on the business....
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Friend ( he's about 35) of mine came over a while back, knocked on the door. Walking towards the door I looked at him and my thoughts were: "It's not Halloween- maybe he's got a job as a clown for some kids birthday party." He told me he was now a student pilot at a local (Mexico) flight school. About 3 seconds later I burst out laughing (spontaneously- couldn't help it.) Of course, he got mad.
Bob.
Bob.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 26
From: Australia
As for hats. Thanks God I never had to wear those hats with the scrambled eggs on it.
In the two years I flew with that airline, not one person noticed - which is what I hoped..
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Philippines
Juan Trip made us dress like naval Officers
As a contractor mercenary, I have a closet full, and enough hats for a serious museum display.
With my latest national carrier (5 years already, gold on black), each time I requisition for shirts, I get another bloody hat & jacket.
the only ceremony was a long time ago when I went from 1 to 2 stripes, at another national carrier (& quite a few beers) Thanks Majid.
Everybody seems to have about 10 nowadays.
Ceremony is good. I was mortified that the Aero club forgot to present me with the PPL wings 30+ years ago (Anyone listening?)
My Mom has a large collection of wings, .....and by the way I like hats!
With my latest national carrier (5 years already, gold on black), each time I requisition for shirts, I get another bloody hat & jacket.
the only ceremony was a long time ago when I went from 1 to 2 stripes, at another national carrier (& quite a few beers) Thanks Majid.
Everybody seems to have about 10 nowadays.
Ceremony is good. I was mortified that the Aero club forgot to present me with the PPL wings 30+ years ago (Anyone listening?)
My Mom has a large collection of wings, .....and by the way I like hats!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: in a cigar lounge smoking a Partagas P2
Thanks !
Without our caps where would we put all our 'stuff' when we get to our hotel rooms?
First thing off, cap, then into it goes wings, slides, wallet, ID card, earplugs, hanky, tie, loose change, room key, two for one drink coupon etc etc, I'd lose way too much of my 'stuff' if I didn't have my pilot's cap.
First thing off, cap, then into it goes wings, slides, wallet, ID card, earplugs, hanky, tie, loose change, room key, two for one drink coupon etc etc, I'd lose way too much of my 'stuff' if I didn't have my pilot's cap.
Finally someone with a practical view
