Reeteaser

After sending in the longest job application I've ever filled out, I got the e-mail last month that I'm in "the pool", so I'm waiting for the next step. I'm pretty exited about the prospect of working for this company.
To date, I have 4600 total time, with 2300 multi and 1300 turbine in King Airs, but no jet time, or mountain experience. I'm wondering if I'm going to be in over my head at an interview, or just overthinking the whole thing.
Also, for 15 years I've had a closely cropped, neatly trimmed beard. I can't find anything in the NJ contract or website that refers to this, so I'd like to hear from someone inside what the company line is on this. I might shave it if it were the only issue in getting a job offer, but how about for the interview?
Speaking of the interview, should I plan on wearing a suit the entire time, or is some or all of it more business casual?
Thanks for any all all information. This forum has been very useful.

NJA Capt

NetJets does have a grooming policy that prohibits beards. Neatly trimmed mustaches are permitted, but very few NJA pilots have one. I would show up for an interview with my "game face."

Good luck.

lpcunity

I got hired with 3300tt. 2000 multi. and most all of my time was in King Airs. I was the least experienced pilot in my indoc class. Wear a suit to the interview.(both days) Facial hair comes back, interviews may not.

Archie Bunker

Unfortunately, the spinach chin must go, and stay gone. If you showed up to the interview with a beard (neatly trimmed or not), I think it would be a huge negative. You would stand out like a sore thumb, and everyone there (including your fellow interviewees) would be thinking....who the
hel l is this guy?

Reeteaser

Yeah, I knew I'd been lucky so far with the beard. Exactly when and why was it determined that the hairy face is evil and wicked?
I mean, I'm not a hippy, and my current boss insists we always show in a clean, pressed uniform (he likes to see creases in the shirt sleeves), and stay well groomed. I always make an effort to look professional, unlike some others I've seen--even if they are clean shaven.

Bloodhound

I know my company (Expressjet) doesn't allow beards because they say it prevents the O2 mask from forming a complete seal around your nose/mouth. It supposedly lets the O2 leak out in a decompression. However, many European carriers allow beards.

Spongebob

You're kidding with this question, right?

And suit sleeves should be roll pressed - no crease.

Reeteaser

I've used the O2 mask, no problem. I also scuba dive without a problem.
We don't wear suits--pilot SHIRTS, epaulets, black pants, shoes, and tie.
NO I'm not kidding. I want to know what's wrong with it. Plenty of proffesional people maintain a proper appearance with facial hair--and lot's of clean shaven people do not.
Just so we don't get too far off the path here, I'll try not to post any further on this, and yeah, when I get the interview call, I'll cave.
I'd really like to hear more concerning my experience level.

Archie Bunker

Dude, we don't make the rules....we just follow them. Every airline that I have ever worked for had a policy of no beards or goatees for their pilots. I know the "O2 mask not sealing" excuse is BS, but I think that most airlines want their pilots to project a certain image....and the beard/goatee look doesn't fit that image.

Personally, I couldn't care less if the guy I was flying with had a neatly trimmed beard or goatee....unfortunately, I don't get to make the rules.

ExDeltaPilot

Can't emphasize enough you'd better follow the rules - find out what kind of suit, shirt, tie, shoes, briefcase - the airlines (I don't care whether it's a Major, Regional, Cargo, Fractional) set the rules, make you follow standardized practices (so you don't have to have a different set with each captain on a different trip). If you're not ready to conform you're in the wrong business and debating it isn't going to change it - you just won't get a job no matter how "qualified" you are.

Lose the beard and the mustache and you can grow it back when you retire.