Checkride Attire?

i did khakis button down and leather soled shoes. first impressions mena something. my examiner said to me after iw as done that he can pretty much gauge whether or not someone will pass in the first five minutes. sounds kinda like a date to me. do what makes you feel comfortable but remember this is a big even for your career.
 
God knows enough class has been striped away from aviation, I'm of the mind set that I want to be the person who tries to put a little bit of class back in, checkride day I'm always shirt and tie. It also shows a level of respect to the examiner and for yourself.
 
This is way overrated. Most examiners could care less what you're wearing. They're observing your ability to fly the plane and not to decide if you should be on "What not to wear". If you don't want to dress up, then don't. If you do, then do. If you want to be respectful of your DPE address him or her as sir or ma'am. Where I come from it doesn't matter what the hell you wear because you're going to sweat through it anyway. Wear something comfortable, clean, and in good shape. I'm superstitious as can be so every checkride I've ever taken I've worn the same shirt. Do what works for you, not what everyone else thinks you should unless you're in a program with rules for this sort of thing.
 
Again, I have to echo many sentiments here and dress in at least business casual.

If I'm an examiner and someone shows up looking like they rolled out of bed, I'm not going to think too highly of that person. In fact, I may be more inclined to find something to fail them on. I'm also thinking, "this person doesn't have enough sense to take care of himself then (s)he may be sloppy in their airwork."

Dressing nicely also shows you take your role as a pilot seriously, be it a weekend warrior or a full-time professional pilot. To that end who would you be more comfortable putting your family with: the guy who dresses in a button-down shirt with Dockers or the guy in in the ripped up sweatshirt and stained jeans?

While we're on the subject, there's a small airline here called the Nantucket Shuttle. They're basically a discount competitor to Island Air and Cape Air. They're so discount that their pilots don't wear a uniform. I saw one Captain wearing exactly what I described above (the ripped up, inside-out sweatshirt and torn, stained jeans) and had a beard to make Johnny Damon look professional. Needless to say that I have stayed far away from that operation.
 
I never understood how "business casual" makes you a better pilot.... but apparently it does.

Them's the breaks, unfortunately. Individuality and comfort are two things frowned upon by the industry.
 
PurduePilot said:
Again, I have to echo many sentiments here and dress in at least business casual.

If I'm an examiner and someone shows up looking like they rolled out of bed, I'm not going to think too highly of that person. In fact, I may be more inclined to find something to fail them on. I'm also thinking, "this person doesn't have enough sense to take care of himself then (s)he may be sloppy in their airwork."

Dressing nicely also shows you take your role as a pilot seriously, be it a weekend warrior or a full-time professional pilot. To that end who would you be more comfortable putting your family with: the guy who dresses in a button-down shirt with Dockers or the guy in in the ripped up sweatshirt and stained jeans?

While we're on the subject, there's a small airline here called the Nantucket Shuttle. They're basically a discount competitor to Island Air and Cape Air. They're so discount that their pilots don't wear a uniform. I saw one Captain wearing exactly what I described above (the ripped up, inside-out sweatshirt and torn, stained jeans) and had a beard to make Johnny Damon look professional. Needless to say that I have stayed far away from that operation.
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While I believe in professionalism, If your program doesnt have rules as far as dress is concerned there should be NO reason for a checkride pilot to be pre-judging a pilot on his wardrobe...he should be graded by the book on the flight standards...

If it is a job interview then let's use some common sense...
 
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