WestJet Pilots' Uniform

[YO_MAMMA]

I finally flew on Westjet the other day. Prior to this I had never seen a westjet pilot in uniform. While I was sitting in the boarding area I only noticed that it was a westjet pilot after they took of their jacket and saw his bars. I was a little puzzled as to how simple their pilots dress while on duty as they are hardly noticeable. I think they don't look very professional in their leather jacket and no pilot hat. I dont understand as even small operators like CMA give their drivers a proper uniform and a company like westjet can't/won't. So can westjetters here explain for the simple uniform of choice?

[KAG]

The bomber jacket was voted back in. The lululemon looking Jacket actually grew on me, although it is a bit casual I agree. You’re supposed to wear your wings with both. Some did (myself included) vote for a tunic, you will never see a hat (unless it's a cowboy hat) as they really are goofy looking except on a few well proportioned individuals.
If I were a betting man I think you will see a tunic and no hat find it’s way into the flight deck. IMHO anyway.

[twinpratts]

Here fishy fishy!

(BTW... we don't wear hats because we don't like them.)


NEXT!

[reality check]

Westjesters are Owners.

Owners are cheap.

Et voila, sans chapeau.

[North Shore]

If you don't like the uniform they wear, then feel free to fly with another carrier whose sartorial sense is more in line with yours..

[reality check]

I don't need to.

[Conquest Driver]

If I want to wear a hat, I'll drive a bus or be a Cop.

[Invertago]

Probably because by the time you reach WJ you're focus is on your pay and time off, not your fancy image as a pilot. I'd rather get WJ pay wearing jogging pants to work then CMA pay and wearing 15 golden bars, a fancy had and sun glasses to work.

[Localizer]

Probably because by the time you reach WJ you're focus is on your pay and time off, not your fancy image as a pilot. I'd rather get WJ pay wearing jogging pants to work then CMA pay and wearing 15 golden bars, a fancy had and sun glasses to work.

OMG ... How many more times are you guys going to go on about your super high paying awesome pilot job that requires you to clean up all the crap I leave in the seatback pocket???

[cyeg66]

With the good pay, you'd think they could afford typing and spelling classes. The former would be of great benefit to them in the cockpit...

The leather jacket isn't so bad, IMO, Jetsgo~ish but still ok.

[KAG]

Jetsgo copied us.
I did hear there is an upcoming amendment to the summer uniform to include cargo shorts (black), black and teal flip flops with yellow WJ lettering, short sleeve shirts and optional tie. Still have to wear the wings though.

[lionheart27]

Wow casual thinking?
Is the CEO Fonzie?
That's an interesting approach.
Reminds me of the competitive charter types down in the USA like SouthWest!!!!
Stand out and be recognized..Younger travelers..Fresh thinking!
Maybe the Flight Attendants will start rapping or have Kareoke flights
Makes sense to sell these clothes to travelers going down south on Vacation! USA ers like those shenanigans. Maybe Canadians will too?

But please no scarves, googles, bandanas, or cigars!

[The Fish]

Hey loc,
if you're not in it for the money then what?
The Sunday morning walk through safeway down the noodle isle hat under the left arm and a fist full of coupons in the right hand??
Sorry, you probably work weekends. How bout Tuesday afternoons?

[Invertago]

Probably because by the time you reach WJ you're focus is on your pay and time off, not your fancy image as a pilot. I'd rather get WJ pay wearing jogging pants to work then CMA pay and wearing 15 golden bars, a fancy had and sun glasses to work.

OMG ... How many more times are you guys going to go on about your super high paying awesome pilot job that requires you to clean up all the crap I leave in the seatback pocket???

LOL, damn slave labor I tell ya, pilots picking up after passengers, that is demeaning work that should be left to...


You should see what some companies have their pilots doing for peanut wages! Seems like WJ is a pretty nice place to end up, I'd hang my hat there (oh wait, no hats opps) till retirement. Wait... you're not... jealous.. are you?

[hs748]

Probably because by the time you reach WJ you're focus is on your pay and time off, not your fancy image as a pilot. I'd rather get WJ pay wearing jogging pants to work then CMA pay and wearing 15 golden bars, a fancy had and sun glasses to work.

[Flying Nutcracker]

Better to have a pilot in a casual outfit caring about the company, than a pilot dressed up "professionally" (whatever is defined as a professional look....???) not caring about the company. It's all about being happy and maybe a little bit different!!! After all, this company is different in many ways. It's a GREAT place!!!

I sometimes leave the bomberjacket on in the flightdeck just to look cool!!! And then leave the shades on as I leave to use the lav...

BTW... picking up trash... I am not above that!!! I did it for 15 years before this job, why stop now??? Just because 6 figures as an FO shows up on a T4, doesn't mean I am above anything. It just means I have scored a GREAT gig!!!

Sorry for bringing up the pay again... I know it's a sore issue for some!

[hs748]

Better to have a pilot in a casual outfit caring about the company, than a pilot dressed up "professionally" (whatever is defined as a professional look....???) not caring about the company. It's all about being happy and maybe a little bit different!!! After all, this company is different in many ways. It's a GREAT place!!!

I sometimes leave the bomberjacket on in the flightdeck just to look cool!!! And then leave the shades on as I leave to use the lav...

BTW... picking up trash... I am not above that!!! I did it for 15 years before this job, why stop now??? Just because 6 figures as an FO shows up on a T4, doesn't mean I am above anything. It just means I have scored a GREAT gig!!!

Sorry for bringing up the pay again... I know it's a sore issue for some!

I have heard from many people that made the jump that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. The kool-aide might be greener, but not the grass!

[Mach1]

OMG ... How many more times are you guys going to go on about your super high paying awesome pilot job that requires you to clean up all the crap I leave in the seatback pocket???

You know, I don’t care who cleans up the airplane, that is just plain inconsiderate and rude behaviour on your part. It makes me wonder what your house looks like, or does your mother still clean up after you? It just shows how self-centred and inconsiderate of a society we North Americans have. The world is your personal garbage dump and it’s everyone else’s job to clean up after your lazy ass. Try having some respect for others.

[ScudRunner]

I miss my Carhartt and hoody uniform,

[jjj]

HS 748,

I wasn't aware that I didn't make a reasonable compensation. I have contacted my bank and informed then that they have been defrauded - apparently I have invested in real estate, bought a new house, bought a new vehicle for my wife, bought a new truck, donated to charity, paid for a wedding, travelled etc... all with my fucking imagination.

Get stuffed.

Call me if you need a few bucks.

JJJ

[iflyforpie]

I miss my Carhartt and hoody uniform,

I don't too much. I just switched to my summer uniform: Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops...

[Panama Jack]

I agree with Flying Nutcracker's first sentence of his reply.

I also believe that whatever uniform your company supplies, it should be worn properly and in good condition despite the relaxed trends in the increasingly casual world we live in. The same can be said for proper grooming. Not doing so reflects poorly on the carrier, suggesting poor discipline and safety culture to the airline passenger.

It is interesting to see the image that airline passengers still expect of airline pilots-- blue or black uniforms with gold or silver braid and a hat. Seeing the same identical, highly-qualified pilot dressed in a tie-dye shirt with khaki shorts and flip flops would not instill the same level of confidence.

I remember reading in the book Aircraft Command Techniques by Sal Fallucco. In his book he writes:

As the evacuation gets underway, the captain and first officer should make their way to the cabin and take their assigned positions as dictated by the evacuation procedure. As the captain do not forget to grab your hat on the way out of the cockpit and tell the first officer to do the same. Why, you ask? As you move into the cabin the passengers may not know who you are. Those standing up behind two or three people in front of them will not be able to see your shirt but will be able to see your hat. They are more than likely frightened and in a hurry to get off the airplane. They will be looking for direction from those in charge. Some captains have reported that one or more passengers get so struck by fear as the result of an emergency that they never get out of their seats. As the captain, you or another crewmember need to tell them to get up and get out fof the airplane. Your hat will help identify who you are and that you are in charge. That is the whole idea behind wearing uniforms, otherwise pilots and the other flight crewmembers could come to work with anything they chose to wear. It also designates the chain of command and differentiates the pilots from the flight attendants.

It is also very handy on the ramp (despite other hazards of hats being sucked into packs) as it clearly identifies your position on the apron (these days everybody is wearing a yellow or orange safety vest) and when is an expected sign of a pilot's status and his legal authority in other parts of the world such as Latin America and the Caribbean (regions which Westjet serves).

[Meatservo]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm pretty much at the point where I'll agree with anything Panama Jack writes on this forum. Well said, Sir.

[Pilotwife]

Personallly, I don't have a problem with what the Westjet staff wear as long as they have some kind of identifying patch in case I have a question. I'm much more concerned with how the take offs and more importently the landings are on the 5 or 6 trips I make with them a year. I love Westjet, and, no, I have no family that work for WJ.

[Hawkerflyer]

BTW... picking up trash... I am not above that!!! I did it for 15 years before this job, why stop now??? Just because 6 figures as an FO shows up on a T4, doesn't mean I am above anything. It just means I have scored a GREAT gig!!!

Sorry for bringing up the pay again... I know it's a sore issue for some!

Good for you man. Glad to see some pilots have work ethic outside the sky cubicle.