How to Dress for New-Hire Airline Pilot Training

Congratulations on landing an airline job! Now remember Captain Beatty’s adage: “A pilot job isn’t real until you’re sitting at the controls of the actual aircraft being paid to actually fly.”

You still have to get through the training (here’s how!), and you’re still being observed to see if you fit in with the company and culture. So, choose outfits that convey professionalism and competency, and follow the company dress code, if known. The details of company standards for attire and personal grooming will be covered on the first day of ground school in Basic Indoctrination. So, Day 1 is a gimme, and then . . . “Come as you are, stay our way."

You can’t go wrong with business casual attire, which generally follows these guidelines:

• Slacks and pants, like khakis. No shorts, leggings, yoga pants, or sweats. Some companies allow blue jeans with no rips, holes, or tears; hold off until you know for sure.

• Skirts and dresses are okay for ground school, but not for the simulator sessions. No short hemlines. 

• Shirts and blouses with sleeves and a collar, like oxford shirts, polo shirts, and nice blouses. No t-shirts, tank tops, or athletic gear. No cleavage, bare midriff, or see-through material. Busty and curvy ladies: Try any blouse that does not show cleavage, worn under a structured blazer or jacket. 

• Wear closed-toe shoes. No sneakers or sandals. Some companies allow clean athletic shoes; hold off until you know for sure.

• Emergency Procedures Training: You are likely going into a swimming pool. Some people wear swimsuits, but others prefer more coverage, like a rash guard and swimming shorts. Regular shorts and a t-shirt are also acceptable. 

• Simulator sessions: Wear the shoes you’ll be wearing when you fly the aircraft, or other low-heeled shoes. No high heels. Bring a sweater or jacket because the sims are always cold.

• Checkride and class photo: Bring your interview suit or nicer outfit. Some women wear cocktail dresses for the class photo. 

• Hair: Get a haircut and return the color to a natural shade. Most women with long hair wear it pulled back in a braid or ponytail or bun; some prefer to wear it loose; either way, it must be neatly styled. Men: Hair cut above the collar, above the ears, and clean-shaven.
  Absolutely must wear a beard? Long hair? Or a turban or other headgear? You can make a formal request for an exemption to a grooming standard, based on a federally protected category. Such requests are handled on a case-by-case basis by HR.

• Jewelry: Remove all studs, gauges, rings, nose jewels, and jewelry from your face and ears, except for one set of conservative earrings, worn in the traditional way, one in each earlobe. Men: No jewelry on the face or head. 

• Tattoos: Completely covered and hidden from view. 

• Carry a nice brief or handbag or pilot bag that will hold an iPad, notepad, pens, snacks, wallet, and phone. A plain, clean backpack is also acceptable. 

Note: The interview, screening, or on-boarding process will include a DOT-mandated drug test. If you haven’t done so already, stop using all marijuana, THC, and CBD products. The DOT warns that some CBD products can trigger a positive drug test, in which case your airline career will be over before it even got started. 

Read my free article "8 HOW-TOs for New-Hire Airline Pilot Training" for more helpful information to make it through this challenging training program. 

May your dreams take flight!

© 2023 Jenny Beatty. All Rights Reserved. 

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