hat or no hat?
 

In the scheme of things this will sound so very unimportant, but what the heck. Have pilots stop wearing hats?

Sitting around IAH this morning trying not to bore myself to death. I noticed pilots walking around without hats. This probably came about a long time ago. I must not be very observant (my wife will verify that!). So what is the deal, wear them if you want to? Most of the time in the past I remember pilots wearing them, or mostly carrying them, or clipped to their luggage. I do remember the lady pilots wearing a hat and a man's necktie. That must have been when there was a strict uniform polcy.

Just wondering - now we can return to business as usual :D

They've probably discovered the same phenomenom that's related to baseball caps.... they cause baldness.:p

Protocol has always been to wear hats and jackets anywhere in the airport environment, unless in the cockpit. Doubt it's a hard-and-fast rule, depending on the airline. Too bad -- it's a sharp look.

:D

SR

Speaking for myself, a CAL pilot, I wear mine.

Other airlines with similar black/gold unforms like Expressjet don't require their pilots to wear hats. That might be what you were seeing.

I think Delta is (or was, I haven't been on them recently) the only airline that still had a strict rule about pilot attire, including the wearing of a hat (or at least for Captains) at all times the pilot is visible to customers. IIRC, hat and blazer (buttoned) must be worn at all times while in the terminal, or visible to customers during boarding/deplaning.

I haven't seen a hat on a CO pilot in many years...I can't remember when...

Years ago, when my dad was a firefighter in a small town they got new uniforms. The chief had spent a lot of time picking out the "perfect" ornate chief's hat.
The firemen all got together, pooled some cash and bought two more hats for him. One two sizes larger and one two sizes smaller... and kept swapping 'em out for each other.:D

You cant ruin those $50 haircuts, especially on an outbound transcon or transoceanic flight

The Safety Dance
 

I would stick to the flights with pilots not wearing hats

Because the Men without Hats do the safety dance, and I'd like a safe pilot.

(80s song reference)

I believe pilots are always encouraged to wear hats and jackets in the airport environment. For CO, IIRC only pilots working international flights are required to wear hat and jacket while transiting the airport.

I once had a pilot friend of mine who preferred not wearing his "Ralph Kramden bus driver's hat" as he liked to call it...

http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2...age583082g.jpg
photo courtesy of cbsnews.com

Some airlines don't even have hats for their pilots (B6, WN).

I know plenty of pilots who prefer to ditch the hat and jacket whenever possible. I have a cousin at B6 who was more than thrilled to find out he no longer was required to own one, much less wear it.

I think the hat and jacket is a very professional, old-school look, but certainly more appropriate for international routes where it is still de rigeur amongst foreign competitors.

Great pic, by the way. ^ Incidentially, Ms. Meadows was Bob Six's second wife, through most of CO's 'golden era'.

Audrey Meadows aka Mrs. Robert Six...she was one of the reasons CO became a pseudo-Hollywood airline along with TWA...

I agree the old-school look is great...who can forget Leonardo DiCaprio as the dashing young con-man Frank Abagnale Jr., posing as a Pan am pilot in Spielberg's great little movie "Catch Me If You Can"?

http://www.domain-b.com/industry/aviation/caprio.jpg

You are somewhat correct.

All international flights, except Mexico, Caribbean, and Canada are required to have the uniform hat and jacket.

Additionally, during Summer Ops (April - October), no jacket or hat is required. During Winter Ops (October - April), all CO pilots are to have hat and jacket regardless of where they fly.