deftone

You would think that if someone had the intention of joining what is still a very conservative career field,that they would take. It’s of what is, and isn’t generally considered acceptable. How many 121 pilots have visible neck tattoos? What a waste of money for this guy.

I myself am heavily tattooed, but on my arms nothing below the elbow, and this was a deliberate choice with airline flying in mind.

Wags808

I am surprised the field is still as conservative as it seems, with no beards, no long hair, tattoos, piercings, etc. Does it seem like anything is changing on this superficial "professionalism" front? I've always had a well-trimmed beard, am hoping to get to the airlines in the next couple years, and I find it a shame that I'm going to have to shave the rest of my professional life.

Medical, law, and even political fields have become more open to alternatives to the 100% clean cut approach, what is holding the airlines back?

rickair7777

Not changing any time soon (in the US).

While beards are pretty popular with young folks these days, older folks actually have most of the money and are therefore the best customers of the airlines. Nobody will ever be offended or concerned at the sight of a clean-shaven pilot, but some older middle-America folks will have issues at the sight of a bearded pilot. No airline wants to go first, on the off chance that customers would not like it.

For airlines there's no upside but a slight downside, so the downside wins.

Also the military culture bleeds over heavily into airlines in the US.

If the beard's that important to your self-image, look into foriegn airlines... most are hiring.

Pilotpip

I had a student that dyed his hair throughout college, usually weekly. He had various piercings, sleeve tats, etc.

One day he came in with the hair dyed back to its natural color, a respectable haircut, and the piercings removed. He had an interview for an internship at a legacy carrier.

He got the internship, was at the front of the hiring wave for that legacy, and is now a captain there living quite nicely. Looking back more than a decade, he was easily one of my most prepared, hard working and serious students.

As for rickair's comment about money and whatnot, I'm seeing more and more corporate pilots with well groomed beards. I think their principals have more money than the average passenger at an airline yet they seem to be ok with letting them be responsible for their mutli-million dollar asset.

I think the old saying of "don't judge a book by it's cover" is something well suited for this conversation.

C130driver

Not if said employee is a minority/female/“alternate gender.”..