Checkride Attire?

bronco21016

bronco21016

I know H.T.M.L. (How To Meet Ladies)
Me and my roommate were just discussing what is really the proper attire for a checkride? We go to one of the larger university flight schools so we see alot of people walking around dispatch during their checkrides. What I've noticed is that alot of people seem to dress up kinda nice for their ride. I've seen everything from some khakis and a nice polo shirt to the full out shirt and tie. My roommate was a polo guy. Me, when I took my instrument ride, I just went like I go any other day... t-shirt and jeans. (I've only done my instrument rating here.) Is this bad? Should a student go into his checkride dressed to impress? I just feel like it shouldn't matter for a checkride. The examiner isn't looking to hire me... he's just there to make sure I can fly an airplane. Now obviously I'm not gonna go wearing something offensive or anything but, I don't feel the need to get dressed up.

Just wondering what others' opinions are on this?
 
I'd say business casual personally. It's only for a few hours and it's universally acceptable.
 
I'd say clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.

Winter time, dress warm enough to allow for a comfortable/thorough pre-flight.

Also, from what I've been told, don't wear flip-flops. Other than that you should be fine...assuming you've showered!
 
I wore shorts and a t-shirt for my private pilot checkride and the examiner never batted an eye.

I wore khakis and a polo for most of my other rides just because I was going through a university flight program and that seemed to be the thing to do, but I only did it to fit in, not because I believe it's mandatory. At a lot of FBOs or with other examiners you could probably get away with shorts and a t-shirt.

Wear a shirt and tie for CFI/CFII/MEI rides.

And even though I never wear a shirt and tie while teaching, I always wear a shirt and tie when I attend my students' checkrides, regardless of what my student is wearing.
 
jrh said:
I wore khakis and a polo for most of my other rides just because I was going through a university flight program and that seemed to be the thing to do, but I only did it to fit in, not because I believe it's mandatory. At a lot of FBOs or with other examiners you could probably get away with shorts and a t-shirt.
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I think this is kinda where I am... everyone else is doing it so I don't wanna look like a fool so I'll dress appropriately.
 
I guess I'm kind of old school, but I don't think it's dressing up to impress the examiner, I see it as more of a matter of respect. I noticed most of my examiners were wearing slacks or khakis and a collared shirt, and that's what I usually wore. The only times I wore a tie were for my initial CFI at the FSDO, my systems orals at my company, my initial PC, and my ATP ride.
 
my take is..why would you not want to look good?

You would not go to an interview in shorts and sandals etc so why a checkride. In both cases you are being evaluated by a stranger and impressions count

I wore a simple pair of normal jeans and a polo shirt for my private and instrument and then wore a shirt and tie for all the rides after that because I figured they were professional checkrides so I should dress accordingly.

On that note though as a CFI and working with the examiners I have noticed that I dont think any of them care at all as long as their lives are not in danger and their check clears. They may not notice if you are dressed like a bum but they will notice if you are dressed nice.
 
First impressions and the way you carry yourself are probably more important than you realize. Especially with the Com, ATP and CFI you are petitioning the government for a professional certification. You should represent yourself accordingly.
 
I agree with Doug. Business casual is pretty much universally acceptable. Go with a nice pair of slacks, polished leather shoes, and a button down shirt. For the Comm, CFI, and ATP you might consider adding a tie. I did for my ATP/type ride at XJT. Of course the first thing most examiners do is ask you to take off the tie. But hey it's all about respect.
 
I'm paying for the plane and I'm paying for the DPE-why should he care how I look as long as I'm paying cash and I know every answer to every question he throws at me. I wore closed-toe sandals, polo shirt tucked and shorts. It was Florida summer and that was for PVT INST COMM. CFI II MEI was the same.
When I went to Pan Am it was bid'ness casual as was everyone else.
 
BajtheJino said:
I'm paying for the plane and I'm paying for the DPE-why should he care how I look as long as I'm paying cash and I know every answer to every question he throws at me. I wore closed-toe sandals, polo shirt tucked and shorts. It was Florida summer and that was for PVT INST COMM. CFI II MEI was the same.
When I went to Pan Am it was bid'ness casual as was everyone else.
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I doubt he does care much how you look from an official stand point. In other words I doubt he could fail you. However B767Driver said it best it's all about first impressions. It's about respect for the examiner and more importantly the PROFESSION. No wonder we get paid low wages and the general public doesn't take us seriously.

An old boss said to me once, "if you want to be treated like a professional you have to look like one first."
 
First impressions people.

When I meet someone for the first time, in a professional environment, and they have taken the time to present themselves professionally (slacks, dress shirt, tie perhaps), it means a lot. Means they took the time to actually care enough to want to present a professional image.

As pilots, I think we all need to present a professional image everyday. Of course, with certain exceptions (IMHO).

If you insist on not taking the time in the morning to prepare yourself to be, and give off the image that you are a professional . . . don't expect anyone to treat you like one either. Expect anyone you encounter for the first time to treat you like whatever image you give off. If that happens to be the "Weekend flyer" image, then expect to be treated like a weekend flyer.
 
Thanks for all the great advice guys. I'm glad I found some people to set me straight. I completely understand all the reasoning behind the advice. I just never got the advice to begin with. I got my PPL at a Mom and Pop type FBO and my instructor out there didn't really mention anything to me about what to wear so I just went as I would go any other time. Once I got here and took my Instrument ride my instructor still didn't say anything to me. I think it's kinda sad I've had 4 instructors and not one has mentioned anything in my checkride preparations. I've got my Commercial MEL coming up so I'll be sure to follow the advice. And when I'm a CFI I'll let the other poor lost souls know as well.
 
I wore a buttoned down shirt and khaki's with brown shoes/belt for both my intrument and commercial rides. The examiner was wearing jeans and a polo. Dressing up makes me more confident in myself and makes me feel I perform better. I saw a kid at the FBO wearing an Abercrombie t-shirt, cargo shorts, and flip flops, yes, thong flip flops, on a PPL checkride and he passed. Unbelievable that he actually showed up to a checkride like that, though.
 
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