Originally Posted by cadetdrivr

Gee....it took all of 20 seconds to find a FAA Advsiory Circular on the topic:

AC 120-43 - The Influence of Beards on Oxygen Mask Efficiency

And a more recent FAA Order (now intergrated in the the FAA Inspector Handbook) that specifically permits air carriers to deny cockpit jump seats to bearded inspectors:

USE OF THE FLIGHT DECK JUMP SEAT BY AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTORS WITH FACIAL HAIR

This is not gonna change anytime soon.

Two words: potential liability.