aj- Exactly. New uniform for mainline, Express can stick with what they've got (and be asked to actually wear it). In fact, most airlines do have different uniforms for thier Express, Eagles, Connections, whatever... in some cases its contractual.
Here's an idea stolen from a friend. I can't describe it as well as he drew it one night after a couple of bottles of wine, but I'll attempt to...
F/A- White shirt. Navy (but more closely resembling the aircraft) Thick Red and White stripes around the sleeve (like on the livery). Blazer is high cut with four smaller buttons (still silver). Men have ties, women have option of scarf (open collar) or tie tab (closed) that are silky material and gray/dark gray striped like the interior seats but diagnol. Same wings, also silver name tag underneath with first name only (in US-style lettering), the flag logo on one side and the Star Alliance logo on the other (this tag could also have a star for every five years of service, or language or whatever). Suit vests are available as well as a short sleeve dress (stripes are at the end of the sleeves.) Aprons are navy/blue vertical striped (think of the old snack boxes, makes ya look skinnier. The suits are also faintly striped if you look at them up close)
C/S- Same style suit and dress but gray and with a light blue/teal shirt (think of the Envoy Class colour). Same tie/scarf options... no stripes or wings. There was gray cardigans too of a thicker material that could also be worn by F/As but only onboard.
SARs/Agents in stations that also do ramp- Gray pants, navy polo.
I'm not sure if I did it justice, but you've got the general idea. He went into the symbolism behind it all too (crew looks like the plane so is immediatly identifiable, but also symbolizes America, CS looks like the interiors, the tie is the unifying factor that everyone wears- it was all very pretty... particularly after the wine and all 🙂 ). I'll have to call said friend and see if I got it right.
Another benefit was that its not that big of a change per se, scarves and ties could be distributed in crewrooms and the rest phased in within a year or so while still using old pieces. Stock of the old uniforms could go to the ever-revolving door of Express employees and carriers, while newly ordered items for mainline would be the new items. I would bet that most employees would immediatly order the new uniform as the old ones are so shameful (except for maybe Gladys, the cat ladies, and those certain male flight attendants who "overcompensate" by dressing sloppily- red/navy tie)
I always wondered why they didnt do something like that when they changed over to Cintas. If they were changing providers anyway why not update it a bit (and I dont mean make them six times bigger).
I hope if US overcomes its current crises and does in fact decide to stop pouting, pick a goal, compete, and be an airline, that it brings its front line team uniforms into at least the late 80s. 🙄