Originally Posted by
robthree
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? .... ....
I just caught up from yesterday, and I'm pleased to see all the input! The post above sums things up very well. It's refreshing to know that for the most part most of us think pilots can be smart/mature enough to professionally wear a beard if they so choose. As much as anything it is a matter of not having the company dictate our personal appearance outside of work (since beards tend to take a couple weeks to develop.)
Of course, there will never be 100% consensus and there will be a few who hold on to the old militant style they consider to be the only "professional" look, but their arguments against others having the option to grow manicured beards ring hollow. ("Bigger fish to fry. Go fly for someone else. If that's what's holding people back they shouldn't fly. Beard is a slippery slope to neck tattoos.")
I really think changing this asinine rule could be easier than many of us thing.
So what do we do?
1) Start gathering a list of pilots who support the common sense rule change, regardless of whether they personally plan on growing a beard.
2) Talk to a local council officer (obviously one who won't simply scoff at it like some in this thread) about the discussion, support, and how we could best present it to the company.
Part of the discussion may include giving the company more of a "21st Century" image (which could help marketing,) and becoming more attractive to future pilots of the millennial generation.
3) Working with the negotiating committee to produce a letter of agreement (LOA) and memoranda of understanding (MOU.)
For number 1 I have created an online petition:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/...ed-pilots.html
Please email/share it with as many other United pilots as possible. Emphasize that it is just an easy, common sense thing that gets rid of unnecessary and archaic rules, and will only take a minute.
Is anyone or does anyone know a "council officer" or someone who would be able to actually take the list and ideas to the negotiating committee?