Leather Jacket Question

Cav said:
I find it hysterical that a lot of pilots complain about not being treated professionally when they have no desire to look professional. Interesting that the new SWA commercial makes a point to show a pilot putting on his hat when we all know SWA pilots don't wear them. Obviously some highly paid advertising/marketing people feel it projects a more professional image. I'm proud to work for a company that has one of the all time classic uniforms. Maybe I'm an egomaniac as you say but I take pride in wearing my uniform that I earned the priveledge of wearing and I'll fight tooth and nail to ensure we don't allow it to be denigrated with something as rediculous as a leather jacket or a backpack.
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So do I. That's why I only wear Columbia, North Face or other brand name fleecy outerwear.
 
Cobalt Thorium G said:
What areas would those be? Passenger interaction and customer service? Always looking for a smooth altitude? Deviating around clouds because it "might" be bumpy? Well.... you got me there.
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Thought you flew freight? Passenger interaction??????
 
I have a leather jacket. I like mine. Our uniform standard allows for leather/no hat or North Face style jacket/mandatory hat. Since I left my hat in the Victoria hotel a few months back, I'm wearing the leather. I don't currently own a blazer, either. Funny thing, I really don't mind the hat. Just like the rest of the uniform, as long as it's not in some state of disrepair, I find it looks fairly good.

Actually, I need to place an order with the uniform department, and use up this year's allowance. I need some new pants, and I'm also planning on replacing the lost hat, and ordering the blazer. I'll have multiple professional looking options at that point, and all will be in compliance.
 
I had an antique A-2 given to me as a kid. I loved that jacket. I also wore flight suits, since a 38R fits me like a glove, and they were INCREDIBLY cheap from surplus stores. After I came out to the bay area, I was terrified of wearing anything that would make me look 'douchey' ... no more flightsuits in anything resembling an aviation context, or around anyone who knew I was a pilot, no A-2, no chronograph, no aviators ...

Then I realized that ... • ... am I being a hipster? I love A-2s, I love a big chronograph (for practical reasons). Aviators may not work as well for me as other sunglasses, but I won't disparage them. And you know what? All you former military may feel differently, but for me there is -nothing- more comfortable than a flight suit for me. So you know what? If I'm in the mood to wear a flight suit, I'll wear a flight suit. I'm going down to the airport today to fly a Citabria, and it's a little cool. You know what I'm going to take for my light jacket? My A-2.

You guys can get all wound up about that if you want, and hell ... everyone at the airport may snicker about me behind my back ... but I'll be comfortable and happy, and in the end... I win. ^.^

Same goes for leather jackets. Laugh, poke fun at people's choices, whatever.. That's fine. But if you're seriously feeling snarky because someone's wearing a leather jacket, or a trenchcoat, you need a reality check. There's a reason that "professional" looking pilots get mistaken for bellhops and gate agents.

Just my 2¢ of thermite. ;9

-Fox
 
Cav said:
Yuck. $400 plus to look like a fool.
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I wear my uniform as required, sir, and this is part of my uniform.

Now to answer the original question. I would go with the calfskin first. It is stronger and will last longer. Mine is from 2003 and still looks like new. I just received the goatskin version and use it for warmer days. When it's even warmer, I wear the blazer. Then, when it's warmer, the jackets are gone. All are in keeping with our uniform policy which I follow strictly.
 
Perrone called me to day. Said 4-6 weeks to fill the order from last week. Also mentioned that goatskin is the only approved jacket for Eagle.
 
Cav said:
Yuck. $400 plus to look like a fool.
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To follow up on Derg's "hotdog on a stick" post, my last two companies are/were leather jacket only (no hat). I really don't have much of a choice in the matter.

In reality though, I see many people simply carrying around North Face fleeces and wearing that. Nobody cares, and the only time people from my company are in a position to be sneered at by Delta pilots is in the hotel van.

By the way, I may very well swap out my kit bag for a backpack. A rabble rabble!

(Sorry for the necropost; this was just too juicy).

P.S.: I bet some of you guys put your shoulder straps through your epaulets, too. :P
 
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