Coat, Captain, PEOPLExpress

Flight ManagerPeoplExpress, 1980sTo cut costs and encourage efficiency, PeoplExpress made every owner-employee a “manager.” By eliminating traditional barriers to productivity and easing formalities, the company hoped employees would serve their customers better. This strategy raised morale but caused confusion and actually hurt productivity.This simple uniform, worn by pilot Mike Petrasko, was identical to that of other managers. It sports no “wings” typically found on pilot uniforms. The FAA eventually made PeoplExpress adopt more conventional uniforms to make flight crew more identifiable to passengers.Gift of Mike Petraszko