Hi,

What do you think of flying with nametags, ID cards, clerical garb, professional attire or items which demonstrate that you are genuinely a nice and respectable person. I'm a nice person, but unless I want to wear a gigantic wooden cross around my neck or a nametag which says, "Pastor Chuck" (a title which I will have claim to by next September), I don't have many options. I knew a minister who wore a massive metal key around his neck. If you asked him why he was wearing it, he said, "Jesus". Then he'd explain that he was a minister. Clearly he was either a minister, or a locksmith, and probably a minister. Literally he was wearing his faith as a tool to be recognized.

For example, I once was in like at a gate. There was a RC priest who had some very large and clearly oversize parcels. He told the gate agent that (he was wearing a collar which was clearly visible) they were essential electronics for his parish. So if the GA would have said to check them, they would basically be telling a priest off. He got on, parcels in hand.

If you were a doctor and wore your lab coat on a plane, it would look like you're out to get some special treatment. Doctors generally have to be content with telling people they're doctors. World class athletes have the privilege to wear a tracksuit with identifiers on it. You don't have to say, "I'm Jim Jones, the athletic coach". People see your tracksuit and look and say, "This man has a claim to fame, or he shops at Walmart in the sportswear section".

What d you think of wearing items which denote your station in life to try to get better treatment? Professional credentials. Uniforms mostly, (non military. I figure if you're in the armed forces, you can wear your uniform any time).

What would you think if a cardiac surgeon arrived at the gate wearing scrubs and a nametag. Would you treat him any differently than say, a cardiac surgeon wearing a polo shirt and jeans?

I've had plenty of flights where people next to me are athletes, doctors, ministers, academicians/professors, professional musicians. Should we treat a member of a legitimate professional community differently, or more accurately, what do you think of people who are part of a professional community and wear certain items to get special treatment?

Cheers,

Chuck