I don't get very many comments from my travelling buddies about uniforms...but I constantly get comments about 12 year old looking pilots. There are some young looking dudes out there.
My neighbor just flew to NYC on CMR and she was mortified at how young one of the pilots looked.
I'll typically let the old gray haired dude be the visible portion of the crew during greeting passengers. That's what they want to see.
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Being a young CMR guy myself..... if i'm not busy with paperwork on a quickturn i like to take the time and stand by the doorway as passengers get off the airplane, thank them for flying with us, have a nice day....etc....
Just yesterday after deplaning in ATL, the passengers were still waiting outside for the pink tag bags by the time i had finished the walkaround- i had noticed the rampies were having a hard time with the cargo door- they couldn't get it open for some reason- so I took it upon myself (in uniform) to approach everyone waiting outside to tell them what was going on- ramp needed some more assistance for door- and that they will get their bags as soon as possible. My past jobs were customer service related....and flying corporate before airline also brings some perspectives and points into my current work for customer service.
I'm 23 - started flying the RJ at 22, and i took my 1st flight lesson starting at 12yrs old.
Many people make a comment on my age, and most people are polite and nice about it. Many just make a polite comment, and i say "Thank you". Some that are nervous about my age.... I tell them that i've been flying for 11 years (which is a true statement), I have a degree in airline operations.....i'm tested to the same standards as the "old guy they expect to see", etc. etc. And that makes them happy and they go on.
I do wear the uniform hat , even through i put a little gel in my hair (not enough to be spikey or like some modern hairstlyle most people expect), even if i get "hat hair"-i still wear the hat.
And I do wear the uniform blazer jacket, or sometimes the leather jacket if conditions warrent. I'm a firm believer in making the whole uniform look good and professional.
And as far as the whole old vs. young guy thing that passengers "want to see"- here's a good story:
After landing (i had just finished my leg of flying), i'm doing my paperwork during a quickturn (so i'm pretty much stuck in my seat working as passengers are getting out), an older gentleman walks by the flightdeck and made the comment to the captain (who was also older with grey hair) that was standing up for some reason that "man...i'm glad there are still some old folks like ourselves flying...."
The captain laughed......then told the man.....yeah thats true.....BUT HE FLEW YOU HERE....and pointed to me.... i overheard the conversation and added my hello and wave before the person left.... so it is possible for us "young pups" to be professional and do it right too.