Changing the Beard Rule
03-21-2017, 03:24 PM
#13
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,082
Airlines outside of the USA approve of it.
Apparently the whole O2 mask 'sealing' is a little over the top.
I'm more concerned about my 350lbs buddy over here not getting out the window or escape hatch.
But being obese is somehow not a 'safety issue'.
I'd say go for the beards.
Apparently the whole O2 mask 'sealing' is a little over the top.
I'm more concerned about my 350lbs buddy over here not getting out the window or escape hatch.
But being obese is somehow not a 'safety issue'.
I'd say go for the beards.
03-21-2017, 03:28 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Position: Airbus 320 Captain
Posts: 481
Originally Posted by Grumble
Just what I want to clean out of the O2 mask, your facial hair.
03-21-2017, 03:33 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 100
Originally Posted by rp2pilot
^^^^^ This, times 10. Besides, what passenger wants a hipster flying their jet? Next, it'll be guys wanting to wear a top bun. Where did we go wrong?
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03-21-2017, 03:46 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: 747 Captain, retired
Posts: 928
Originally Posted by Wags808
Today I wrote to ALPA regarding the rules virtually all major airlines have regarding facial hair. I my mind the rules are archaic, as we know the oxygen mask concern is false and beards can be manicured to look suitable for professional in uniform. For many people having a manicured beard is part of their identity. As a bald guy, it is one of the few ways to add character while avoiding looking like a skinhead. 
Regardless of whether you'd like to sport a beard or think pilots look better without them, I hope we can have consensus that it should be left up to individual choice rather than our employer as long as it is kept up well. It could even help recruit young new pilots.
What I wrote to ALPA:
Regardless of whether you'd like to sport a beard or think pilots look better without them, I hope we can have consensus that it should be left up to individual choice rather than our employer as long as it is kept up well. It could even help recruit young new pilots.
What I wrote to ALPA:
Aside from Hawaiian Airlines, the entire US airline policy on facial hair seems antiquated. Considering the pilot shortage and current trend in beards (from one quarter inch and longer,) it would seem like the airlines should finally consider changing their rules on pilots facial hair. I personally am bald, and having a beard is the only thing that prevents my looking like a creep or a skinhead, so I would like to do whatever I can to get this vestigial rule eliminated. Who would I talk to or leverage to start working on this? Thank you
They're response:Tim – Thanks for contacting [email protected]. Our understanding is that several U.S. airlines permit pilots to grow mustaches that adhere to certain restrictions, but that beards are taboo. Some of these policies were originally established because of a concern that facial hair might not allow an oxygen mask to fully seal around a pilot’s face. However, the maintenance of current facial hair rules appears to be more closely tied to projecting what some feel is a professional image. The bottom line is that these are human resources policies and, given the culture at some airlines, they may be viewed as rigidly as the use of uniforms.
However, it’s been said that everything is negotiable. You might want to talk to your fellow pilots to see if others feel the same way you do. With some support, you could address this issue with your local council officers to see if the group would want to revisit the pilot facial hair policy as part of its bargaining efforts. Pilot negotiating committees meet with management to bargain for contracts, but they also convene between these full-scale negotiations to address individual letters of agreement (LOA) and memoranda of understanding (MOU).
Again, if enough pilots felt the same way you do, perhaps facial hair is something your pilot group could bargain for.
ALPA Communications
So what do you think? Would anyone support presenting this rule change to the local council and push it further?However, it’s been said that everything is negotiable. You might want to talk to your fellow pilots to see if others feel the same way you do. With some support, you could address this issue with your local council officers to see if the group would want to revisit the pilot facial hair policy as part of its bargaining efforts. Pilot negotiating committees meet with management to bargain for contracts, but they also convene between these full-scale negotiations to address individual letters of agreement (LOA) and memoranda of understanding (MOU).
Again, if enough pilots felt the same way you do, perhaps facial hair is something your pilot group could bargain for.
ALPA Communications
03-21-2017, 04:10 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,030
Originally Posted by Wags808
I could see that argument coming, even though it is pretty weak. In an age when companies are expanding on personal liberties and expression, why are the airlines pretending to be holier than thou?
I suppose I just don't understand what they are afraid of. Offending a handful of prudes?
I suppose I just don't understand what they are afraid of. Offending a handful of prudes?
Unless google or Facebook start an airline with casual Friday, work from home and napping cubes, then it might work.
03-21-2017, 04:26 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 62
A lot of MENA and Euro pilots seem to pull off the beard pretty well, but they also dress a lot better than US pilots. I'd back this, but a squared away uniform to almost too much to handle at my airline. A well groomed beard isn't likely to follow worn out Dockers in lieu of uniform pants with tac boots and a low-hanging clip-on tie (and massive belly).
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