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PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Pilot Uniform For Sale

The following is a true story. The name of the airline has been changed to protect the author. Sometimes truth is funnier than fiction. But if you don't laugh... you might just cry.


Ebay recently pulled a listing that a ***** Air Lines Captain had placed on the auction site. Up for sale? Captain Wendall Lewis's Captain's uniform. After Lewis saw his monthly pension of $6500 slashed by 73%, he decided to make a statement.

And here was his statement:

AUTHENTIC ***** Air Lines Captain Pilot Uniform This uniform was worn by a dedicated ***** Pilot for many years. Now retired and robbed of part, or all, of promised pension, uniform is now offered for sale to supplement income. Suit is worn and empty but filled with memories and honor. Suit has been across many miles and many experiences. Suit was once filled with pride and service getting thousands of passengers to their destination safely. Suit has been through rain, snow, ice, and wind without a single tear or scratch. Suit once controlled multi-million dollar assets, flown throughout the world, with billions of dollars of liability to the company. Suit has never cost company one (1) cent in accident or injury.


Although the suit is worn and has been discarded by the company, it can be yours. Suit is clean but used. Coat may be soiled from hydraulic fluid or grease as plane was inspected. Shirt may be soiled from mad dashes through the airport in a rush to the next plane in an effort to get back on schedule. Tie may have stains from fast food meals that were hurriedly eaten while at the controls.


Tie comes with your choice of pins, Air Line Pilots Association, Air Force, or Airplane. Pants may show signs of wear from may hours spent strapped into a seat, hip shows some signs of wear from firearm used to protect you and your passengers from harm. Shoes are shiny but worn. Suit comes with choice of Old ***** or New ***** emblems. Many prefer the Old *****.
Suit is thought by many to have APHRODISIAC qualities, although this cannot be confirmed or denied.

BEWARE putting on this suit can have adverse effects on your life. It can cause you to miss your childrens' birth. It can cause you to miss holiday reunions, family times, and weekends. You may miss your Daughter's prom and your Son's graduation. Your family may think Christmas is not always on December 25th. Your wife will have to learn to be a single parent when you are gone for days. The suit can cause you to miss entire nights of sleep or get up at 3 AM to meet your next schedule. Your neighbors may be jealous of you and think you do not deserve to wear the uniform or be compensated for your work.

Originally suit required a four year college degree and an internship of 5-10 years in the military, and another 10-15 years for the fourth stripe . Suit comes with a promise of a pension if you provide years of dedication and service. THE PROMISE MAY BE AS EMPTY AS THE SUIT. Now it can be had for the highest bid. Good Luck bidding.


Bidding started at $1.00. Before Ebay pulled the plug on the auction, Lewis apparently received hundreds of emails from other airline employees.

Moral of this story: I'm not selling my uniform(s) to make up for my pension, I'm just selling books.
Contribute to the cause: Flight For Control.

Where fiction mirrors truth.

Enjoy the Journey!
XOX Karlene

15 comments:

  1. Shesjetlagd aka Debbie LApril 5, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Hey Karlene! I remember when that first showed up on eBay. It was pretty telling/indicative of what we were all feeling at the time. It has been quite a roller coaster ride since then and may be an even bigger/rougher/wilder ride we are on now.

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    1. Thanks Debbie, I think those inside all know. It has been a ride... will it ever end? Will it be fun again? Will we live happily ever after? I hope so! Thanks for the comment.

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  2. Haha I love your moral to this. I got an email from a friend that's retired Delta and knew this guy. He said he wished he'd thought of the idea haha.

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    1. Thanks Daniel, tell him to leave a comment. Maybe we can get the author to join the discussion. I like my moral too. Thanks for supporting the cause!

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  3. I saw this on Facebook.. And did cry..

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    1. I think many tears flowed over this one. Thanks for your comment.

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  4. Sad, but true. Thanks for sharing and spreading the word!

    P.S. EVERYONE needs to read Flight for Control, it not only brings these issues to light, but is an AMAZING read as well! :)

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    1. Thank you Vic!!! I think that you could be my marketing manager! So... let's schedule a book event at your airport. :)

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  5. Oh, dear, this says it all. So sad! Yes, sell those books! Really glad you're keeping the uniform! :-)

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    1. Oh... well, you know, I'll keep it until they retire me early. ;)
      Selling books!!! And the movie.

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  6. Very sad, indeed. But I think it's a better idea to write a book about it, so the public can read about it (even though it's fiction) rather than selling your uniform. :-)

    Yes, it is a roller-coaster ride, but we're all in this together, and I hope the situation will be different in the future!

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    1. Fiction... YES. ;) It will be different. We're working that way... right? I'm going to leave this career better for you coming behind me!

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    2. Lovely statement Cecilie, awesome reply Karlene! :)

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  7. Absolutely amazing history.
    Probably in the future I'll have some different schedules because I'm felling hope that my first job will be in a C208 cargo company here in Brazil.
    But this words about children's birth date, Christmas really makes me feel how hard it can be );

    Hugs from Brazil.
    28 years old, commercial pilot.

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    1. Tadeu, That sounds like an excellent first job. If everyone could remember that feeling of Christmas, life would be so much better. I think the increase in automation and the result of less flying, with longer work hours decreases satisfaction.
      Keep that joy and you'll have a wonderful life!

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