Tattoo's
 

Hey gang noticed around the AOC the past few months some of our guys, and gals have tattoo's which are clearly visible. While I do not condemn this, I am intrigued, are we able to have a full sleeve tattoo and display them in a short sleeve shirt?

if so I'm gonna start looking to add some more ink.

I couldn’t find anything “expressly” written on the subject, but I’ve found the long sleeve shirt covers them fine in uniform.

If Mayo can make it through Naval OCS with a tat, then we should be able to have one in uniform.

yes I understand this, but who wants to wear long sleeve shirts in memphis in the summer? I sweat enough already. Also said pilots with the tats, were wearing short sleeve shirts.

So can I ink up?:)

They have Tattoo's what? What did they take that was his?

Clever. But the days of most people knowing what you’re referencing are gone. Just like professionalism being gradually worn down and nobody even sees it. How many DAL, AAL, or UAL guys are having this discussion? Just cause we fly boxes, should our standards for professionalism be different? Here’s a rule of thumb: Whatever ink you were willing to display for your interview panel should probably be comparable to what you wear around the AOC.

Only because his DI recognized the workmanship.

Agree.....

Da plane, of course.

I like both my career at FedEx and my tattoos so suffering long sleeves in August is worthwhile. Your thread prompted me to do more digging. While there’s nothing on PFC and nothing in the FOM regarding specifically tattoos, I was able to find the following in “the People Manual”, section 2-80.
“Visible tattoos, gauges exceeding half an inch with a flesh colored plug, and/or body/facial piercings, except for an earring in one or both ears, are normally prohibited in customer contact positions when wearing the appropriate Company-issued uniform”.

I’m sure that can be jail house lawyered, but I’ll just keep my long sleeves on and a sweat towel handy ;) if I’m ever jumpseating you’ll probably see my art.

Well said!

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-...attoo-problems

I'll keep my skin the way it is now, thank you very much.

Not sure about UAL or AAL, but DL doesn’t have this discussion because it has been expressly written in the FOM that all tattoos must be completely covered when in uniform.

As to whether or not tattoos = lesser professionalism I believe that’s a matter of personal opinion, and I won’t begrudge you yours simply because it differs from mine.

Complying with the company’s policy is not a matter of opinion and I will gladly comply with the standards they set.

So purple Mohawk is ok then?

I don’t know. Didn’t look it up, but think there was some hair policies in there.

You do you. If the company doesn’t take issue, I won’t.

A technique I have viewed being used is to have a flesh colored sleeve to cover up the tattoo sleeve. Put it on before leaving the cockpit (crew station for the Air Force types) towed the AOC or hotel and take it off after the cockpit door is closed when preparing for departure.

Why would they be towed?

Is that a non-Air Force type thing? ;)






.

“Here’s a rule of thumb: Whatever ink you were willing to display for your interview panel should probably be comparable to what you wear around the AOC.”

Yup

Naw, just a auto correct without proof reading thing. I am the worlds worst texter and forum poster when it come to auto correct. Product of the public school system I guess.

Get with the future and while you're at it change your screen name GoAroundSetPower:)

http://www.kooltattooideas.com/wp-co...-On-Rib-14.png


https://i.styleoholic.com/2017/02/Bl...n-the-side.jpg

Our new hires are looking younger and younger. Or maybe I’m just getting older. But I think those shirts should be approved uniform items.

Oh brother. But the nose and ear hair you could braid, or the stomach that is two feet past the belt line...that’s all good under your view of professionalism I guess. I don’t have any tattoos myself, but I do have friends in the industry who do and they are very professional. Careful what you are basing your “professional” comments on.

Since I did not know the answer to the tattoo question I thought i would look it up
The People Manual 2-80 page 148 states: "Visible tattoos, gauges exceeding half an inch with a flesh colored plug, and/or body/facial
piercings, except for an earring in one or both ears, are normally prohibited in customer contact
positions when wearing the appropriate Company-issued uniform."
The question now becomes, do we have contact with customers? Maybe not directly but we do have hotel personnel, cab drivers, and the public in general.

The discussion is not about tattoos. It’s about the location and visibility. Think sleeve and neck (or face for the Tyson fans). In the same way that your braided nose hairs and sagging beer gut are visible, these tattoos are visible. For better or worse in this line of work (along with other professions like lawyers and doctors) there is a standard that has been set for appearance. And it’s a pretty high standard. In my career, I have never seen a pilot with a sleeve. Nor have I seen a doctor with one. That’s not a coincidence. I think that’s an indicator of a life approach. And it’s one that I understand and appreciate. I get that I’m old school. To me, how you keep your house and body is how you keep your mind. Maybe most guys aren’t like this, but if I’m just meeting you for our first flight, I’m going to have some judgments (scary word I know). Do you have a five o’clock shadow? Do you have a belt? How do your shoes look? This helps me build a picture of what to expect when I’m working with you. It helps me operate better as a crew member. Just like I’m going to operate differently with a new hire off IOE vice seasoned 10 year senior FO.

I get that there are some highly intelligent, incredibly talented individuals with sleeve tattoos. But every company I’ve worked for had a standard of appearance, and a sleeve tattoo would fall short of that standard. Having one would elevate the individual over the team and that in itself would be a red flag for me.

As for my “professional” comments, they’re just my opinion. And that’s created off my experience. I’m glad your friends are “professional”. If they wear a tattoo that is not in compliance with company standards, that’s not what I would call them.

Ohhhhh.... uh-oh..... you said "judgement".... that's liable to set some of these folks off into that "triggered" territory..... Ops will now need a safe space for them.

Nice post NotNice! I concur completely and for the record, I have scars, not tattoos, WAAAAYY better stories too!

I really can’t believe that we’re having this discussion. I hold this Pilot group to higher standard. Not quite Delta w/ Double Breasted uniform jackets and Hats, but significantly higher than Visible Tattoos.

I agree with the sentiments of NotMrNiceGuy.

Page 1 of the People Manual:

"Scope: The FedEx Express (USA) .... (People Manual) applies to all United States employees of FedEx Express except for employees represented by a collective bargaining representative."

Discuss.

If you want a sleeve tat, where a long sleeve shirt at work. It’s a reasonable solution. I don’t get the tat thing, but it’s also none of my business what others do.

That said, we work at a cargo airline that flys mostly at night. I’m not going to freak out if you’re not wearing a belt or don’t have freshly shined shoes.

But we check in and out of hotels, often with lots of visibility. So looking at least halfway presentable and professional, at least for those 5 minute interludes, is all of our business.

I didn’t say look like a slob, but I’m not going to do uniform inspections either...

Common sense goes a long way in this job...

Anecdote to share -talking to my teen daughters as they were in MS or HS re tattoos. “Remember when you loved Barney? Barney t shirt, shorts, hat jacket....could you imagine having to wear you Barney clothes in Middle/high school every day and not be allowed to change? No way dad. Well imho, that’s kind of like a tattoo, really cool at the time but years and years later maybe not so much, and that Barney t shirt can come off, that tattoo....

That anecdote reminded me of this :D:D

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=onl0sIrr8Sg