Why do aircrew look so scruffy?
Discussion
As everyone else explains, despite ones best efforts to maintain he highest standards of sartorial elegance I'm afraid looking constantly sharp is a constant battle against, in no particular order......
Uniforms from the lowest bidder which are cut to 'fit' any male from 20 to 65 with no regard to the fact that people come in rather differing shapes. In my case any shirt or jacket that fits my neck/chest respectively then becomes a size equivalent to a bedouin tent my the time we get to my navel.
The fact that you might see me on day 5 of duty having stayed in four different hotels in Europe over that period living out of a carry on size suitcase utilising whatever rubbish iron and ironing board are supplied by each hotel. I don't have room for spare trousers/jacket so it only takes one food based accident to look a stained mess for 5 days!
If you're really lucky you might catch me at the end of a duty at 7pm having spent 12hrs at work, flown four flights, eaten three meals off a tray balanced on my knee, shaved the night before in an effort to secure the latest alarm clock I can possibly manage and having been up since 5am.
Now, someone mentioned glamour I think!
Uniforms from the lowest bidder which are cut to 'fit' any male from 20 to 65 with no regard to the fact that people come in rather differing shapes. In my case any shirt or jacket that fits my neck/chest respectively then becomes a size equivalent to a bedouin tent my the time we get to my navel.
The fact that you might see me on day 5 of duty having stayed in four different hotels in Europe over that period living out of a carry on size suitcase utilising whatever rubbish iron and ironing board are supplied by each hotel. I don't have room for spare trousers/jacket so it only takes one food based accident to look a stained mess for 5 days!
If you're really lucky you might catch me at the end of a duty at 7pm having spent 12hrs at work, flown four flights, eaten three meals off a tray balanced on my knee, shaved the night before in an effort to secure the latest alarm clock I can possibly manage and having been up since 5am.
Now, someone mentioned glamour I think!
JWH said:
As everyone else explains, despite ones best efforts to maintain he highest standards of sartorial elegance I'm afraid looking constantly sharp is a constant battle against, in no particular order......
Uniforms from the lowest bidder which are cut to 'fit' any male from 20 to 65 with no regard to the fact that people come in rather differing shapes. In my case any shirt or jacket that fits my neck/chest respectively then becomes a size equivalent to a bedouin tent my the time we get to my navel.
The fact that you might see me on day 5 of duty having stayed in four different hotels in Europe over that period living out of a carry on size suitcase utilising whatever rubbish iron and ironing board are supplied by each hotel. I don't have room for spare trousers/jacket so it only takes one food based accident to look a stained mess for 5 days!
If you're really lucky you might catch me at the end of a duty at 7pm having spent 12hrs at work, flown four flights, eaten three meals off a tray balanced on my knee, shaved the night before in an effort to secure the latest alarm clock I can possibly manage and having been up since 5am.
Now, someone mentioned glamour I think!
i still think they should bin the short sleeve nylon shirts though......Uniforms from the lowest bidder which are cut to 'fit' any male from 20 to 65 with no regard to the fact that people come in rather differing shapes. In my case any shirt or jacket that fits my neck/chest respectively then becomes a size equivalent to a bedouin tent my the time we get to my navel.
The fact that you might see me on day 5 of duty having stayed in four different hotels in Europe over that period living out of a carry on size suitcase utilising whatever rubbish iron and ironing board are supplied by each hotel. I don't have room for spare trousers/jacket so it only takes one food based accident to look a stained mess for 5 days!
If you're really lucky you might catch me at the end of a duty at 7pm having spent 12hrs at work, flown four flights, eaten three meals off a tray balanced on my knee, shaved the night before in an effort to secure the latest alarm clock I can possibly manage and having been up since 5am.
Now, someone mentioned glamour I think!
JWH said:
As everyone else explains, despite ones best efforts to maintain he highest standards of sartorial elegance I'm afraid looking constantly sharp is a constant battle against, in no particular order......
Uniforms from the lowest bidder which are cut to 'fit' any male from 20 to 65 with no regard to the fact that people come in rather differing shapes. In my case any shirt or jacket that fits my neck/chest respectively then becomes a size equivalent to a bedouin tent my the time we get to my navel.
The fact that you might see me on day 5 of duty having stayed in four different hotels in Europe over that period living out of a carry on size suitcase utilising whatever rubbish iron and ironing board are supplied by each hotel. I don't have room for spare trousers/jacket so it only takes one food based accident to look a stained mess for 5 days!
If you're really lucky you might catch me at the end of a duty at 7pm having spent 12hrs at work, flown four flights, eaten three meals off a tray balanced on my knee, shaved the night before in an effort to secure the latest alarm clock I can possibly manage and having been up since 5am.
Now, someone mentioned glamour I think!
Oh boo hoo, what other job gives you the chance to indulge in massive cockpit orgies with nymphomaniac stewardesses?Uniforms from the lowest bidder which are cut to 'fit' any male from 20 to 65 with no regard to the fact that people come in rather differing shapes. In my case any shirt or jacket that fits my neck/chest respectively then becomes a size equivalent to a bedouin tent my the time we get to my navel.
The fact that you might see me on day 5 of duty having stayed in four different hotels in Europe over that period living out of a carry on size suitcase utilising whatever rubbish iron and ironing board are supplied by each hotel. I don't have room for spare trousers/jacket so it only takes one food based accident to look a stained mess for 5 days!
If you're really lucky you might catch me at the end of a duty at 7pm having spent 12hrs at work, flown four flights, eaten three meals off a tray balanced on my knee, shaved the night before in an effort to secure the latest alarm clock I can possibly manage and having been up since 5am.
Now, someone mentioned glamour I think!
As for why some crew looking a bit scruffy, it's already been covered but here's my take on it.
My first flying job was flying night freight. Invariably from some distant part of an airport as far away from the paying passengers as possible. Afterall, they don't want to see our shoddy looking aircraft with multiple faded logos still visible and suspicious oil stains that were never cleaned up properly.
However, flying freight really exposes you to all sides of the industry, they can easily be broken into these types;
1) Those who will never leave for passenger flying - Basically because they are vampires who hate the sunlight and have somewhat of a hatred for the travelling public or shiny aeroplanes or comforming to management requests that involve wearing anything that resembles the word "uniform."
2) Keen young beans. Eager to build hours and move onto the next step in their careers.Always the first there and ready with the paperwork no matter what the time. No 1 hates these types.
3) Cynical slightly older beans. These were originally No.2's but for some reason haven't yet made the jump into passenger airlines. They are well on the road to becoming No.1. 18 months is the timeline which will determine which way they go.
4) The retired Passenger Captain slumming it to pay off his 4th divorce. These come in two forms. Either like the aforementioned "Captain Shinyshoes of Spudbud airlines" or have regressed into having the same personality traits of No.1
All of these will have different views on sartorial attire. The airline may have a policy but no-body gives two hoots for that, boxes don't care and wearing gold braid just annoys the loaders, so discretion is the better part of valour at times.
In passenger airlines, then usually there is a bit more compliance with the uniform specs as most are sensible enough to realise that passengers do care whether you look professional or not. However the old phrase about fitting a 100lb of horse manure in a 5lb bag is often the case.
Eating crew food and getting less exercise than most coma patients sees to that one. Especially when allied to the fact that most uniforms were provided by the lowest bidder and many crew are too skint/tight to get things altered or supplement the crew uniform provided.
Personally, I used to provide my own shirts and got things looking as smart as possible with a bit of tailoring. I hate wearing nylon and I'd prefer to be comfortable even if it does cost a few pennies, but I might be slightly less militant/obstinate than some!
My first flying job was flying night freight. Invariably from some distant part of an airport as far away from the paying passengers as possible. Afterall, they don't want to see our shoddy looking aircraft with multiple faded logos still visible and suspicious oil stains that were never cleaned up properly.
However, flying freight really exposes you to all sides of the industry, they can easily be broken into these types;
1) Those who will never leave for passenger flying - Basically because they are vampires who hate the sunlight and have somewhat of a hatred for the travelling public or shiny aeroplanes or comforming to management requests that involve wearing anything that resembles the word "uniform."
2) Keen young beans. Eager to build hours and move onto the next step in their careers.Always the first there and ready with the paperwork no matter what the time. No 1 hates these types.
3) Cynical slightly older beans. These were originally No.2's but for some reason haven't yet made the jump into passenger airlines. They are well on the road to becoming No.1. 18 months is the timeline which will determine which way they go.
4) The retired Passenger Captain slumming it to pay off his 4th divorce. These come in two forms. Either like the aforementioned "Captain Shinyshoes of Spudbud airlines" or have regressed into having the same personality traits of No.1
All of these will have different views on sartorial attire. The airline may have a policy but no-body gives two hoots for that, boxes don't care and wearing gold braid just annoys the loaders, so discretion is the better part of valour at times.
In passenger airlines, then usually there is a bit more compliance with the uniform specs as most are sensible enough to realise that passengers do care whether you look professional or not. However the old phrase about fitting a 100lb of horse manure in a 5lb bag is often the case.
Eating crew food and getting less exercise than most coma patients sees to that one. Especially when allied to the fact that most uniforms were provided by the lowest bidder and many crew are too skint/tight to get things altered or supplement the crew uniform provided.
Personally, I used to provide my own shirts and got things looking as smart as possible with a bit of tailoring. I hate wearing nylon and I'd prefer to be comfortable even if it does cost a few pennies, but I might be slightly less militant/obstinate than some!
IforB said:
Halmyre said:
Oh boo hoo, what other job gives you the chance to indulge in massive cockpit orgies with nymphomaniac stewardesses?
Can you point me to that airline please? I've been trying to sort that out for years, but never got passed getting punched in the face.Halmyre said:
IforB said:
Halmyre said:
Oh boo hoo, what other job gives you the chance to indulge in massive cockpit orgies with nymphomaniac stewardesses?
Can you point me to that airline please? I've been trying to sort that out for years, but never got passed getting punched in the face.
k off somewhere...though probably just to snigger and throw knowing glances at each otherHalmyre said:
IforB said:
Halmyre said:
Oh boo hoo, what other job gives you the chance to indulge in massive cockpit orgies with nymphomaniac stewardesses?
Can you point me to that airline please? I've been trying to sort that out for years, but never got passed getting punched in the face.Fly BA and yes they look scruffy - the young female attendants look like Derry Girls in their unironed school blouses and scraped back hair, the old ones just look and act like tired pissed off old matrons. Fly a foreign carrier - Sri Lankan, Emirates etc and you'll still find glamorously turned out attendants who look great and actually act like they give a st about the passengers. Any US based carrier - forget it - you're treated like a piece of st on their shoe from the gate onwards.
t about the passengers. Any US based carrier - forget it - you're treated like a piece of st on their shoe from the gate onwards.krunchkin said:
Fly a foreign carrier - Sri Lankan, Emirates etc and you'll still find glamorously turned out attendants who look great and actually act like they give a st about the passengers.
Act is they key word. Unfortunately, none of them actually care about you. t about the passengers.The foreign hosties have no employment rights, so they get sacked if they don’t look good enough and pretend they care.
You can have western hosties who don’t care but are happier in their jobs and have fun or eastern hosties who also don’t care but look smarter and are only worried about getting the sack and saving money.
El stovey said:
krunchkin said:
Fly a foreign carrier - Sri Lankan, Emirates etc and you'll still find glamorously turned out attendants who look great and actually act like they give a st about the passengers.
Act is they key word. Unfortunately, none of them actually care about you. t about the passengers.The foreign hosties have no employment rights, so they get sacked if they don’t look good enough and pretend they care.
You can have western hosties who don’t care but are happier in their jobs and have fun or eastern hosties who also don’t care but look smarter and are only worried about getting the sack and saving money.
We all know they don't give a rat's ass - but BA have basically given in to all the old trouts that make up their onboard staff and just allowed them to outright act like they couldn't give a f
k. 
krunchkin said:
Fly BA and yes they look scruffy - the young female attendants look like Derry Girls in their unironed school blouses and scraped back hair, the old ones just look and act like tired pissed off old matrons. Fly a foreign carrier - Sri Lankan, Emirates etc and you'll still find glamorously turned out attendants who look great and actually act like they give a st about the passengers. Any US based carrier - forget it - you're treated like a piece of st on their shoe from the gate onwards.
Really? I flew 5 flights with American Airlines last year and the crews were fantastic, they also don’t know how to pour wine so brim the glass, I’ve never left one of their flights completely sober. We did a few with Southwest and they were all charming and funny too.t about the passengers. Any US based carrier - forget it - you're treated like a piece of st on their shoe from the gate onwards.I fly occasionally with emirates and their crews are a lottery. The Eastern European CC tend to be miserable and very abrupt. BA are also a mixed bag, the mixed fleet lot tend to be a bit crap but then they’re paid peanuts compared to the older crew members. Pay peanuts get monkeys.
Edited by djc206 on Tuesday 20th February 10:21
Crossflow Kid said:
IforB said:
Can you point me to that airline please? I've been trying to sort that out for years, but never got passed getting punched in the face.
Grey Fin Airlines and their rotary-wing subsidiary, Olive Green Helicopter Charters.;-)
El stovey said:
Act is they key word. Unfortunately, none of them actually care about you.
The foreign hosties have no employment rights, so they get sacked if they don’t look good enough and pretend they care.
You can have western hosties who don’t care but are happier in their jobs and have fun or eastern hosties who also don’t care but look smarter and are only worried about getting the sack and saving money.
Well I don’t believe that to be these case, having lived in Singapore and worked throughout SE Asia the last 9 years I’ve travelled at least 2 flights a week. As well as knowing some flight attendants in a personal capacity.The foreign hosties have no employment rights, so they get sacked if they don’t look good enough and pretend they care.
You can have western hosties who don’t care but are happier in their jobs and have fun or eastern hosties who also don’t care but look smarter and are only worried about getting the sack and saving money.
They like their jobs, they like being smart and putting on the makeup and looking good. They like doing a good job. There isn’t a fear of being sacked making them act like that. They appreciate the opportunity they have and realize how lucky they are.
There are massive cultural differences, perhaps due to lack of political correctness at times, but generally they are genuinely good at their service jobs and haven’t caught the entitlement disease that European and American FA’s have at times.
But to be honest I’ve never really experienced any issues, the rude FA is generally the exception, even on Qantas.
Ever thought that the reason some pilots are scruffy is a "statement" to the fact of how they are feeling, like over worked disillusioned and under paid ?? Especially as YIPPER says
" There's nothing glamorous about having to pay for your own flight training or being jammed into a tiny seat next to a fat man with BO"
Which I completely agree with
There also seems to be a lot of sexist remarks here with wanting to get over friendly with comments like
"what other job gives you the chance to indulge in massive cockpit orgies with nymphomaniac stewardesses?"
"young ladies would aspire to date or marry one" (quote: from streetrod)
"Sitting next to a man with BO". I'm sure you could also be sitting next to a fat women with BO
REALLY!!!! I haven't read any comments regarding glamorous nymphomaniac stewards or young men aspiring to date or marry a pilot
If you go back in time when pilots levitated as they walked through the airport, having young kids run up to these self appointed Demi Gods for autographs, looking well turned out...... Just remember so we're their passengers!! Men in a suit and tie and women dressed up to the nines as if going to see royalty, they don't do that anymore either, whether first class or cattle class. Everybody today dress for comfort and that means casual, except if your looking for a free upgrade the. You have to look like the bees knees to get free upgrade. It happened to me on a KLM flight to the USA.
Given the choice rather than looking at the flight crews attire, I would much rather see their personnel file showing how much flight time they have and especially on type. I would like to know if they have failed any of their skills tests at anytime and whether if need be they would surrender control to their co-pilot if at any time the flight was going south.
" There's nothing glamorous about having to pay for your own flight training or being jammed into a tiny seat next to a fat man with BO"
Which I completely agree with
There also seems to be a lot of sexist remarks here with wanting to get over friendly with comments like
"what other job gives you the chance to indulge in massive cockpit orgies with nymphomaniac stewardesses?"
"young ladies would aspire to date or marry one" (quote: from streetrod)
"Sitting next to a man with BO". I'm sure you could also be sitting next to a fat women with BO
REALLY!!!! I haven't read any comments regarding glamorous nymphomaniac stewards or young men aspiring to date or marry a pilot
If you go back in time when pilots levitated as they walked through the airport, having young kids run up to these self appointed Demi Gods for autographs, looking well turned out...... Just remember so we're their passengers!! Men in a suit and tie and women dressed up to the nines as if going to see royalty, they don't do that anymore either, whether first class or cattle class. Everybody today dress for comfort and that means casual, except if your looking for a free upgrade the. You have to look like the bees knees to get free upgrade. It happened to me on a KLM flight to the USA.
Given the choice rather than looking at the flight crews attire, I would much rather see their personnel file showing how much flight time they have and especially on type. I would like to know if they have failed any of their skills tests at anytime and whether if need be they would surrender control to their co-pilot if at any time the flight was going south.
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