I'm sorry. But I can not consider any document written on a typewriter as the definitive word on any subject in the 21st century.

Appearance matters.



There seem to be two arguments against allowing individuals to make an individual choice in their own grooming while meeting public standards:

1) Safety of flight. The data presented seems to be mixed at best. Thirty year-old ACs notwithstanding, modern masks seem to be so much more robust than the equipment in use in the previous century that the rest of the world finds an acceptable level of safety can be maintained with bearded flight crews.

2) Corporate image. Public image is a legitimate concern of our employers. And many in management, as well as in the cockpit, tend to think that the military style of the 1950's and 60's is still the ideal that one should emulate. Fifty plus years of style changes would tend to undermine that argument. Man buns may not be your thing, but nobody is saying you have to have one. There is room for beards in a 'professional' environment. Just as there is room for everything from shaved heads to Bob Ross perms.



You don't like it? Fair enough. Don't do it.
You don't like someone else doing it? .... ....