Why wear the monkey suit?

Murdoughnut said:
You guys are failing to understand one critical thing about dress - it's not only outward facing, it's also inward facing.

Back in the 1950s, a lot of sociologists and anthropologists were trying to understand how the Nazis could commit the horrible crimes they did. When they went out and interviewed German civilians, they all commented that the SS officers were kind, family men - men of honor and principal. So what made them into monsters? According to the civilians, it was when they put on the SS officer's uniform. It changed them - changed their demeanor and personalities.

That's clearly an example of dress having a negative overall impact on a person's identity, but the question remains, can professional dress make people behave more professionally? I don't know the answer, but I have a feeling it's probably something to the tune of "it does for some, doesn't make a difference for others".

I would wager to say that there are some folks here who felt more professional as a pilot the first time they strapped the monkey suit on, and that the suit changed them, at least marginally. Not everyone, but perhaps some.
Click to expand...
I spontaneously asked for a wind check the first time I put my uniform on. It was weird man.
 
i should wear a swimsuit, and maybe a tommy bahamas shirt when i'm paddeling our canoe....

but then again, our canoe was made in israel, goes way up in the flight levels, and holds 8 people so the business casual outfit seems to look a bit better for the passengers...
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
Actually, more doctors wear just scrubs now a days in a hospital setting. Nurses do the same.

The lab coat thing is mostly Hollywood, just like its insistence that Nurses still wear all white and the pointy hat.
Click to expand...

So true. In the urgent care setting where my wife works they recently banned company T Shirts. Doctors, NP's, PA's, RN's and so on wear scrubs. She wore a lab coat during clinicals for her Master's, but that was all the wear that thing got. Really the lab coat only exists like an apron. Wash this germ sponge on super hot and spare the rest of your clothes.

Also thank all of you professional pilot types. You're all the front lines of public perception (and yes the uniform does look pretty good and inspires respect). Its because of you fine folks that nobody cares that I show up in the same thing I wore yesterday only with new undergarments.
 
Last edited:
hillov10.jpg


The new AA uniform as designed by "the fellas" deep in the hills of Kentucky. :)
 
B200 Hawk said:
It's the 21st century, khakis and a nice company polo with a north face style winter jacket should be all that's needed now. This isn't the golden age, no one cares. Besides I would be a cleaner look anyway. It's uncomfortable and too expensive. Most people like more unprofessional trying to look professional in the suit. Let's do away with them!
Click to expand...

Done and done. Come to think of it I've never professionally worn a monkey suit. Only for a few months getting my multi commercial.

HAHA! Take that people who said I needed to learn to iron my pants and tie a tie. FOOLS!
 
No problem with uniform - been wearing one since 18, but surely we could all wear gro-bags. Then we could argue over company and fleet patches to stick on it.
 
Uniforms, human ego and indoctrination. Just another immature and outdated thing us hairless apes engage in so we can pretend we are important.
 
My uniform distinguishes me from everyone else onscene (I'm an EMT). If I wasn't in a recognizable uniform, my job would be a lot harder. It would be harder to get through the 'traffic' at large scenes, it would make us harder to be recognized as "the help" instead of "the bad guy" or a nobody.

Also, I absolutely love wearing a uniform to work. There's no standing in the closet getting ready and pondering what to wear. "Does this go with that?", "Does this make me look fat?", what accessories go with what and what with everyone at work think if I wear this instead of that... None of that. Put on uniform, go to work. Done. Love it.
 
TWP said:
Uniforms, human ego and indoctrination. Just another immature and outdated thing us hairless apes engage in so we can pretend we are important.
Click to expand...

But at work, when I have it on, I am.

No scoreless soccer in my house. Not up in here. NOT up in here! :)
 
Tld said:
Can someone please direct AA's uniform development department to this thread, with specific regard to the female pilot uniforms. I'd at least like a collared shirt please. Nothing demands respect like a v-neck...smh.
Click to expand...
Are you a wear tester? I got mine a few days ago. I'm not however a female. If you aren't a wear tester let the ones you see know what your thoughts, they will pass it on.

I know for a fact there are female pilots wearing the new uniforms. We all start on Jan 19th.
 
mshunter said:
You don't work over here, so you don't know all about the in fighting that's going on over here. I don't consider myself ExpressJet. I consider myself ASA, and I'm proud of it.

So no, I'm not. Hell, even hotels know the deference. Most of them still call us ASA.
Click to expand...
One...never mind.
 
z987k said:
Try flying to a foreign country without a uniform on. They'd arrest you for flying an aircraft not being a pilot. The certificates don't matter. Only the uniform, with stripes. All 4 stripes matter. Ideally the FO should have 4 stripes to. Otherwise he's not a pilot either.
Click to expand...
Never had that happen before and we don't wear stripes....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top