Earbuds in sight of pax?

ZapBrannigan

ZapBrannigan

If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
I'm at O'Hare today, and I've seen no less than three pilots in uniform walking between gates wearing their earbuds. Is this a new thing? I have to admit I think it looks very unprofessional -- but maybe I am just getting old. What are your thoughts?
 
It's their time and I want my pilot relaxed for their next flight. If they want to listen to a bit of music between gates, I see no harm in that. It also probably helps them deflect those annoying passenger questions..."When's the next flight to Kalispel? Where's my gate? YOU actually fly these death traps?!?!"
 
ZapBrannigan said:
I'm at O'Hare today, and I've seen no less than three pilots in uniform walking between gates wearing their earbuds. Is this a new thing? I have to admit I think it looks very unprofessional -- but maybe I am just getting old. What are your thoughts?
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I can't stand wearing earbuds. BUT what's the difference between earbuds and talking on your cell phone on front of passengers?
 
ZapBrannigan said:
I'm at O'Hare today, and I've seen no less than three pilots in uniform walking between gates wearing their earbuds. Is this a new thing? I have to admit I think it looks very unprofessional -- but maybe I am just getting old. What are your thoughts?
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Ear buds are one thing.

The North Face Mafia at XJT is another; guys wearing North Face jackets instead of their blazer.
 
If I have 3 hours to kill at the airport, I might go find a quiet corner to read and listen to some music with my earbuds. If I'm deadheading in back in uniform, I will definitely be listening to music (the earbuds usually keep my seat partners from asking me what route I fly, shouldn't I be up front - yuk yuk yuk!, and so on). But walking around the terminal? Absolutely not. It does look unprofessional in my opinion, and I simply won't do it.
 
Better than rocking headphones.
I think it's just a reflection of a generation which is why it may bother you. On the other hand the older 40 crowd often rocks the bluetooth ear piece making people wonder if they are talking to themselves and the phone on a belt clip.
 
Dugie8 said:
BUT what's the difference between earbuds and talking on your cell phone on front of passengers?
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This. You start getting into a big gray area of what's "appropriate" in uniform. Talking on a cell phone? Smoking a cigarette (could be construed as reckless, drug addiction, unbecoming of a professional pilot)? No hat? Cheap Casio watch in lieu of metal, analog watch? Slouching/bad posture?

I see enough pilots who can barely wear the uniform correctly. I don't think earbuds are a big deal... because I wear them myself in between places, not in the gate area or with the crew. But yeah, riding the shuttle to the terminal and walking up to security, I don't think I'm disrespecting the uniform or the profession.
 
I agree re: wearing them while dedheading, commuting, or even sitting in that quiet corner between flights. Walking around is something else.

Those pax pay your mortgage. Being fully present doesn't seem like too much to ask.

As a parallel topic, the fueler was wearing those Beats Audio big headphones while fueling the airplane. Ok? Or not ok?
 
Earbuds, Bluetooth earpieces, Badass beats earphones and so forth, walking in a conspicuous public place in uniform is goofy.

In uniform, in public, you are representing your brand. Not only the company, but as pilots.

Like all of you, I've seen the mainline guy looking like pig pen walking through the concourse holding his hat, coat draped over his arm, shirt untucked, worn out pants and black Velcro sneakers. Doesn't make it ok.

As to the person bringing up accessories, the idea is a professional image displayed. A bright red wrist trophy or a cheap plastic but black watch. I'm of the no-utility belt crowd, however the guy with the cell cover that's the stars-n-bars or just a black clip? We all know the answer.
 
What about flight kits that are held together with duct tape and covered in oddball stickers?

Not many of those left though.
 
The answer is take the stripes and tie off. I hate looking like a pilot in public unless I have to. I look like a pilot to get through security and when I talk to the gate agent to jumpseat. After that, tie and stripes come off. I feel much more relaxed after that.
 
jtrain609 said:
Ear buds are one thing.

The North Face Mafia at XJT is another; guys wearing North Face jackets instead of their blazer.
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I do ear buds and a North Face style jacket all the time. But, all company logos, and uniform are always covered up. Hell, I even wear a ball cap. But like I said, you can't tell I am going to or coming from work. I don't want people asking me questions about work, when I'm not working.
 
Dugie8 said:
What about flight kits that are held together with duct tape and covered in oddball stickers?

Not many of those left though.
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You have it all wrong. That's called the "vintage look" and it's in vouge with the hipster generation.

Actually, I had a flight case once held together with 2 rolls of Chinese duct tape and some Airtran baggage tape. I did it out on a trip out of need and it got to the point where it was actually incredibly solid. I hope I find the picture I took one day of it. I used it for a couple months till I upgraded and bought a nice one.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
I'm at O'Hare today, and I've seen no less than three pilots in uniform walking between gates wearing their earbuds. Is this a new thing? I have to admit I think it looks very unprofessional -- but maybe I am just getting old. What are your thoughts?
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I agree with you.
 
I just think there are so many ways the uniform/image can be subjectively disrespected that nitpicking earbuds is pretty petty. At least they can be very discreet.
 
The ones that prompted this post were not discrete. Bright orange. (Although even the white ones stand out on a black blazer).

Hey do what you want. I'm not your mom. I'm just one of those old guys who used to wear his hat. Guess the uniform should still mean something to me. It's been watered down so much by the retirement of the hat, the introduction of the leather coat, backpacks as crew bags, etc... the ear buds surprised me.

Then I realized I might be prejudiced against young pilots because I thought "what's the matter with these kids and their iPods?!"
 
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