Should airline pilots wear hats?
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Should airline pilots wear hats?
I'm a pilot for a major airline in the US.
My airline is considering doing away with our uniform hat
and making it optional for the individual pilot to wear.
I'm all for it. Any thoughts from my colleagues overseas?
My airline is considering doing away with our uniform hat
and making it optional for the individual pilot to wear.
I'm all for it. Any thoughts from my colleagues overseas?
Last edited by corner speed; 13th Aug 2003 at 01:16.
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My ex-husband, pilot with Lufthansa, looked ridiculous with his hat on so he usually carried it under his arm. Once a check captain insisted he put it on his head where it belonged, looked at him and allowed him to continue to carry it under his arm instead! 
Whenever he got a new one, he put it in the shower and tried to make it look used and he had me sew down the sides so the wouldn't stick up so much.
What are they good for anyway? And is it true that hats have been re-introduced for some stewardesses? ... eh, sorry, "cabin attendants"
Westy
Whenever he got a new one, he put it in the shower and tried to make it look used and he had me sew down the sides so the wouldn't stick up so much.
What are they good for anyway? And is it true that hats have been re-introduced for some stewardesses? ... eh, sorry, "cabin attendants"
Westy
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So we're supposed to believe you pilots work hard and suffer enormous stress and deserve the huge salaries because your jobs are SOOOOOOO demanding???
And really, all you worry about, is do i look good in my hat.
Send $50 to charity, say two hail marys, and get a grip.
And really, all you worry about, is do i look good in my hat.
Send $50 to charity, say two hail marys, and get a grip.
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hair today gone tommorrow
The fact that i have lost a lot of hair the last 15 years that i have been an airline pilot,might partly explain my pay packet.
But i sure need to wear a hat when i do a walk around of the machine out in the sun/rain
Giving an option is a good idea.
But airlines still need to retain a Uniform Cap for folks like me,cos i would sure look silly wearing a baseball cap with my uniform.
But i sure need to wear a hat when i do a walk around of the machine out in the sun/rain
Giving an option is a good idea.
But airlines still need to retain a Uniform Cap for folks like me,cos i would sure look silly wearing a baseball cap with my uniform.
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some thoughts about hats
The most probable answer I can think of is that the hat makes one stand out as a pilot. You can see pilots from miles when they walk with their hats on in terminal buildings.
Thus in case of an emergency evacuation, the pilots (wearing their hats) would be more easily recognised by pax, provided there is not total chaos at the time. At least some pax would more readily follow instructions from a guy with a hat in such a situation.
Thus in case of an emergency evacuation, the pilots (wearing their hats) would be more easily recognised by pax, provided there is not total chaos at the time. At least some pax would more readily follow instructions from a guy with a hat in such a situation.
Uncle Pete
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Useful to keep the deicing fluid out your hair during the winter walk-rounds and scraping the early morning dew off the car widscreen after those summer night ITs.
Otherwise........ a complete waste of money. Think what a company could save on 400+ hats ?
Next years pay rise riding on it?
MP
Otherwise........ a complete waste of money. Think what a company could save on 400+ hats ?
Next years pay rise riding on it?
MP
Our lot (thank God) abandoned hats three years ago. I only know of two pilots in the company who still wear their hats to work. That perhaps gives a measure of their popularity when their use is not made compulsory.
ZbV
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Hats
If company dress code specifies hat beinng part of the uniform, then one should wear it. The outfit could not be called a "Uniform" without the hat now would it.
If a company has a dress code it should be enforced. Like the hat or not. Soon people would stop wearing epaulettes for reasons like " I look stupid wearing them" or when it gets hot one would rather wear shorts etc etc...
JJ
If a company has a dress code it should be enforced. Like the hat or not. Soon people would stop wearing epaulettes for reasons like " I look stupid wearing them" or when it gets hot one would rather wear shorts etc etc...
JJ
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Hi square leg,
Does your airline have "- Hat" on the by heart items list for an evacuation ? 
Thus in case of an emergency evacuation, the pilots (wearing their hats) would be more easily recognised by pax, provided there is not total chaos at the time.
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At Amsterdam the airport military police do not wear hats
anymore because if there is a terrorist attack (e.g. shooting)
they will first take out anybody wearing one.
Sounds like a good idea to have the same hat policy for pilots!
P.S. Crundale : grow up.
anymore because if there is a terrorist attack (e.g. shooting)
they will first take out anybody wearing one.
Sounds like a good idea to have the same hat policy for pilots!
P.S. Crundale : grow up.
Uncle Pete
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There was an a case when a lady at a well known supermarket chain was sacked for not wearing the company head-gear that went all the way to the high court on appeal for wrongful dismissal.There were no safety or hygene issues.
She lost
MP
She lost
MP
Can depend on the "where".
In some less developed countries, the ground crew look for "The man in the hat" as they assume he is in charge.
Where that's not the case, ditch it, closley followed by the tie!!!
In some less developed countries, the ground crew look for "The man in the hat" as they assume he is in charge.
Where that's not the case, ditch it, closley followed by the tie!!!
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One of our managment pilots (who happens to be black) swears if he had a nickel for every time someone curbside asked him, "Hey buddy, could you get my bag in my trunk for me?" With a wry smile and a spring in his step, he'd oblige and when they went to tip him he'd say, "Not necessary, I'm a Captain." to which the passengers would turn all manner of colors themselves.
So much for the "hat" making the man (or position).
We ditched our hats last Spring and, while a few have steadfastly refused to part with this last shred of "identity", I for one must say it has been quite a liberating move. No more losing your hat in high winds (The hell with the Airbus vs. Boeing yapping: The next "breakthrough" airliner will look like a damned hat. They can generate lift at any direction to the wind and any angle of attack.)
No comments either way from the pax. I do miss it in DTW in February though.
PT (Life after hats is pretty good really.)
So much for the "hat" making the man (or position).
We ditched our hats last Spring and, while a few have steadfastly refused to part with this last shred of "identity", I for one must say it has been quite a liberating move. No more losing your hat in high winds (The hell with the Airbus vs. Boeing yapping: The next "breakthrough" airliner will look like a damned hat. They can generate lift at any direction to the wind and any angle of attack.)
No comments either way from the pax. I do miss it in DTW in February though.
PT (Life after hats is pretty good really.)
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Here's a way to "sell" a new look...
Why not get a contract with the professional sports team near each crew base and have crews from that domicile wear "gear" from their sports team. The teams or league could provide the hats or even bid for the rights for the crews to wear their logos.
Of course, it may backfire--crews could be detained at security, having been mistaken for gang members...
TC
Of course, it may backfire--crews could be detained at security, having been mistaken for gang members...
TC
ZbV
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EHAM MP's
Just went through EHAM a few days ago. Some MP's use the hat and some don't. Didn't ask what their rules are.
Me myself and I dislike using a hat (Just round 11 years now). Can be quite uncomfortable in hot weather. Also if hat has a plastic makers mark inside in the middle, that can hasten hairloss (This is not a scientifically proven fact)
Me myself and I dislike using a hat (Just round 11 years now). Can be quite uncomfortable in hot weather. Also if hat has a plastic makers mark inside in the middle, that can hasten hairloss (This is not a scientifically proven fact)
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Wearing an airline pilot style hat makes you look much taller and more imposing ( remeber those gestapo uniforms ?) which is really important when operating in most 3rd world countries.
In most 3rd world countries and military dictatorships, ones seniority and importance in the the military and government is demonstrated by how much gold stuff you wear on your shoulders and hat.
You would never be taken seriously by the local officials at any African airport unless you are fully "epauletted" and uniformed, and if you had a smart hat with lots of shiny gold braiding, all the better to impress them with and for ensuring a hassell free transit through customs, immigration and security checks.
In most 3rd world countries and military dictatorships, ones seniority and importance in the the military and government is demonstrated by how much gold stuff you wear on your shoulders and hat.
You would never be taken seriously by the local officials at any African airport unless you are fully "epauletted" and uniformed, and if you had a smart hat with lots of shiny gold braiding, all the better to impress them with and for ensuring a hassell free transit through customs, immigration and security checks.
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JJFlyer
There are absolutely no "marechaussee" (MP) at EHAM
which wear hats. Local and other police do at the
airport but they are a different branch. They look the same
but are not.
How much a hot costs? Couldn't be much.I can order a new
shirt after 4 years wearing it and can get a new hat after
2 years!
Rgds
There are absolutely no "marechaussee" (MP) at EHAM
which wear hats. Local and other police do at the
airport but they are a different branch. They look the same
but are not.
How much a hot costs? Couldn't be much.I can order a new
shirt after 4 years wearing it and can get a new hat after
2 years!
Rgds