Skymaster

Shouldn't that read "when I use to suit up?"

Jetjok

When I was flying the MD-11, I'd change out of my uniform shirt, into a nice Tee shirt (I usually wore one from Jackson Hole), as soon as I got into the jet. For domestic flights, unless they were trans-con, that would be it. For Newark to Oakland, I'd also put on a pair of jeans, which was my normal uniform for anything international, regardless of the length of trip. Other guys would wear scrubs, shorts, or any other assortment of the most bizarre clothing you've ever seen. However, I'd change back into uniform, usually just prior to top of descent, and remain that way until the hotel. Most other guys at my company do the same thing. It's interesting to note that our B-727 guys almost never take anything off, except an occasional tie. That might be due to the short length of the trips, or the fact that there's very little extra room to change clothes, or maybe they just don't know any better.

One of the reasons why our company wants us in uniform, is for the other employees, that we deal with prior to departure, such as the mechanics, the loaders, the ramp agents, etc. I can understand that rationale, but for long trips, crew comfort trumps what others think of how we look, not to mention that just wearing the uniform to and from the airport, allows one to not have to launder as often, and that's a good thing in places where to get a shirt dry cleaned and pressed could be upwards of $10, and that's if it can be done during your layover.

FlyerJosh

First of all it's one thing to be flying a GV in China where you pull onto the ramp and customs comes out to you and your prepositioned (and highly paid) handler is there hours ahead of your arrival to arrange for services, customs, clearance, etc.

It's another thing when you're an airline crew arriving overseas and you have to clear through a flight crew line in the passenger terminal. Let's differentiate here.

I fly my present gig wearing a polo shirt and slacks. No biggie. When we have VIPs onboard (high end customers or our parent company executives) we switch to more formal attire (shirts, ties, and sport coats if cold outside). Why? Because it's more formal and presents a more professional appearance.

With regards to passenger operations- there are other reasons for the uniform beyond "ego" and appearance.

By nature, a uniform signifies authority. In addition uniforms (and familiar insignia such as wings, hats, emblems, stripes) are readily recognizable, which can definitely be useful at times (such as during emergencies and when clearing customs).

Finally, uniforms are a traditional part of our industy, one which has many traditions and ties to the military and military history.

Uniforms certainly adapt over the years, but I personally would hope that even if things become more lax, we as a profession and a pilot group would want to keep true to at least some of our roots.

viktorbravo

Need to go through the crew line at immigration? Better have a uniform, even in the states. Take off, get to cruise, change into the shorts and a T. 14 hours later when you walk off the airplane with your uniform on it still looks fresh pressed, and has no coffee or soy sauce stains.

captjns

Chicks still dig the uniform and it gets my drinks half price at the hotel bars.

vagabond

Some guys over in Regional are suggesting going to an interview buck naked. If it works for them over there, I don't see why a bunch of boxes would mind pilots in their birthday suits.

1Seat 1Engine

Beat me to it.

If you dress like the pool boy, management will think you're as easy to replace as the pool boy.

Freightpuppy

That sounds like people that say they want to fly people vs. cargo. I just don't get it.

Freightpuppy

Could you imagine how the TSA would be if cargo pilots didn't have uniforms? It's bad enough they don't think we are "commercial" or "flight crew". I will keep my uniform, thanks.

SabreDriver

Amen! But, oh to be back in my "Jet Jammies"