American July 2026

I still do not understand why people would go to a very competitive dispatch interview at a major airline and wear sneakers, polos, khakis and other casual stuff. Doesn't make sense....
 

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ADXnewbie said:
I still do not understand why people would go to a very competitive dispatch interview at a major airline and wear sneakers, polos, khakis and other casual stuff. Doesn't make sense....
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While I understand the culture here, and the insane competitive nature when these jobs come open...we also have to remember that most of the people applying and getting interviews work for regional airlines that don't come close to paying a living wage. We also live in a world where people are taking out loans and using credit cards just to have gas and groceries.

On the other hand, you also have no clue what the knowledge and experience of the person in sneakers and a polo could be. Maybe they will wow the interviewers because they are absolutely on point in every answer they give.

Or maybe, since these interviews require a lot of people to travel, their bag got lost and they were left scrambling the night before to get anything together just to be able to go. Professional job coaches say dress one level above the position you are applying for. In this case, that is not full business suits and ties.

So perhaps we extend a little bit of grace, understanding, and support for our fellow human beings as they may someday be our co-workers. Dress however you feel is appropriate, and everyone else can do the same. Because I have seen a guy in tennis shoes and a polo run circles around another guy in a 3 piece suit.
 
BingoZingo said:
While I understand the culture here, and the insane competitive nature when these jobs come open...we also have to remember that most of the people applying and getting interviews work for regional airlines that don't come close to paying a living wage. We also live in a world where people are taking out loans and using credit cards just to have gas and groceries.

On the other hand, you also have no clue what the knowledge and experience of the person in sneakers and a polo could be. Maybe they will wow the interviewers because they are absolutely on point in every answer they give.

Or maybe, since these interviews require a lot of people to travel, their bag got lost and they were left scrambling the night before to get anything together just to be able to go. Professional job coaches say dress one level above the position you are applying for. In this case, that is not full business suits and ties.

So perhaps we extend a little bit of grace, understanding, and support for our fellow human beings as they may someday be our co-workers. Dress however you feel is appropriate, and everyone else can do the same. Because I have seen a guy in tennis shoes and a polo run circles around another guy in a 3 piece suit.
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While yes you are absolutely correct. We shouldn’t have to judge based off of what someone is wearing. Mainline Positions are essentially a six figure jobs that you are meant to retire from. Pilots at conferences show up in suits to see recruiters and I’m assuming for their interview they are as well. Per 121.533 we share operational control, should we not also reflect the importance of our positions in how we dress? Sure, we don’t fly the plane but we share that responsibility and the position should reflect that. After you land the job go back to wearing jeans and a polo that’s fine, but for the interview put some effort.

At my airline, the dress code is business casual, so one level above would be business, hence a suit or at dress pants, dress shirt, and tie if you don’t want to wear a blazer. Do you have to go to Loro Piana and buy a bespoke suit? No. Can you thrift a $10 blue suit and get it tailored for maybe $100? Or go to Uniqlo and get a basic suit under $100 to at least present yourself in a better light? In my opinion, yes.
Unfortunately we live in a world where first impressions matter, how you dress dictates that before you even speak.

Also, my envoy interview I had earlier this year for $20.43 an hour had everyone in my interview block show up in suits. Money is real issue yes but presentation for a dream job opportunity should not be.
 
Motosebas94 said:
While yes you are absolutely correct. We shouldn’t have to judge based off of what someone is wearing. Mainline Positions are essentially a six figure jobs that you are meant to retire from. Pilots at conferences show up in suits to see recruiters and I’m assuming for their interview they are as well. Per 121.533 we share operational control, should we not also reflect the importance of our positions in how we dress? Sure, we don’t fly the plane but we share that responsibility and the position should reflect that. After you land the job go back to wearing jeans and a polo that’s fine, but for the interview put some effort.

At my airline, the dress code is business casual, so one level above would be business, hence a suit or at dress pants, dress shirt, and tie if you don’t want to wear a blazer. Do you have to go to Loro Piana and buy a bespoke suit? No. Can you thrift a $10 blue suit and get it tailored for maybe $100? Or go to Uniqlo and get a basic suit under $100 to at least present yourself in a better light? In my opinion, yes.
Unfortunately we live in a world where first impressions matter, how you dress dictates that before you even speak.

Also, my envoy interview I had earlier this year for $20.43 an hour had everyone in my interview block show up in suits. Money is real issue yes but presentation for a dream job opportunity should not be.
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You get my drift. Kudos.
 
BingoZingo said:
While I understand the culture here, and the insane competitive nature when these jobs come open...we also have to remember that most of the people applying and getting interviews work for regional airlines that don't come close to paying a living wage. We also live in a world where people are taking out loans and using credit cards just to have gas and groceries.

On the other hand, you also have no clue what the knowledge and experience of the person in sneakers and a polo could be. Maybe they will wow the interviewers because they are absolutely on point in every answer they give.

Or maybe, since these interviews require a lot of people to travel, their bag got lost and they were left scrambling the night before to get anything together just to be able to go. Professional job coaches say dress one level above the position you are applying for. In this case, that is not full business suits and ties.

So perhaps we extend a little bit of grace, understanding, and support for our fellow human beings as they may someday be our co-workers. Dress however you feel is appropriate, and everyone else can do the same. Because I have seen a guy in tennis shoes and a polo run circles around another guy in a 3 piece suit.
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Short term investment for long term gain. Suit rentals are a cost effective option. I can assure you that management absolutely judges attire and how one is presented. If you had two identical candidates and one took the time and effort to be dressed in a suit and another with a polo, who would you hire?
 
Motosebas94 said:
While yes you are absolutely correct. We shouldn’t have to judge based off of what someone is wearing. Mainline Positions are essentially a six figure jobs that you are meant to retire from. Pilots at conferences show up in suits to see recruiters and I’m assuming for their interview they are as well. Per 121.533 we share operational control, should we not also reflect the importance of our positions in how we dress? Sure, we don’t fly the plane but we share that responsibility and the position should reflect that. After you land the job go back to wearing jeans and a polo that’s fine, but for the interview put some effort.

At my airline, the dress code is business casual, so one level above would be business, hence a suit or at dress pants, dress shirt, and tie if you don’t want to wear a blazer. Do you have to go to Loro Piana and buy a bespoke suit? No. Can you thrift a $10 blue suit and get it tailored for maybe $100? Or go to Uniqlo and get a basic suit under $100 to at least present yourself in a better light? In my opinion, yes.
Unfortunately we live in a world where first impressions matter, how you dress dictates that before you even speak.

Also, my envoy interview I had earlier this year for $20.43 an hour had everyone in my interview block show up in suits. Money is real issue yes but presentation for a dream job opportunity should not be.
Click to expand...
OttoPilot13 said:
Short term investment for long term gain. Suit rentals are a cost effective option. I can assure you that management absolutely judges attire and how one is presented. If you had two identical candidates and one took the time and effort to be dressed in a suit and another with a polo, who would you hire?
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I agree with both of you, and if we are giving advice to someone who is new to dispatch and aviation this is all good sound advice. My response was more to the judgement for those who may not have had that advice or followed it for these interviews specifically. That's all.
 
BingoZingo said:
I agree with both of you, and if we are giving advice to someone who is new to dispatch and aviation this is all good sound advice. My response was more to the judgement for those who may not have had that advice or followed it for these interviews specifically. That's all.
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And that’s why I started with you’re right because. That’s how it should be. Your physical appearance shouldn’t matter and how you work with peers and knowledge base should be what defines where you should be.

But in a career where we have companies are going to try going after dispatchers to take away scope or workforce, we have to show our worth from the first interview.
 
Motosebas94 said:
And that’s why I started with you’re right because. That’s how it should be. Your physical appearance shouldn’t matter and how you work with peers and knowledge base should be what defines where you should be.

But in a career where we have companies are going to try going after dispatchers to take away scope or workforce, we have to show our worth from the first interview.
Click to expand...
I wear shorts to work, and the only reason I don't wear a T-shirt is because my ID lanyard is a sensory nightmare. Yes, dress nice for the interview. But whoever said we should dress as nice as the pilots is ridiculous. We're not customer facing. And I work better when I'm comfortable.
 
Any externals or under the AAG umbrella hearing back with offers?
I saw user nolayup’s reply.
Just wondering if I should take the “Congratulations” banner down and put up the “Condolences”.
 
I Like IKE said:
I wear shorts to work, and the only reason I don't wear a T-shirt is because my ID lanyard is a sensory nightmare. Yes, dress nice for the interview. But whoever said we should dress as nice as the pilots is ridiculous. We're not customer facing. And I work better when I'm comfortable.
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"After you land the job go back to wearing jeans and a polo that’s fine, but for the interview put some effort."

Not saying we have to equal dress as pilots at the workplace. I said interview, its a six figure job. wearing a polo sneakers and chinos to a six figure interview is insane.
 
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