Changing the Beard Rule
02-17-2022, 08:47 PM
#271
Gets Everyday Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Position: Relaxed
Posts: 6,947
Originally Posted by esa17
When I was 30, I looked 16, and was straight up denied flying jobs because of how young I looked.
No matter how “mature” I acted, it still looked like I was there on a “take your son to work” day.
I couldn’t have grown a beard then but made up for that later.
No matter how “mature” I acted, it still looked like I was there on a “take your son to work” day.
I couldn’t have grown a beard then but made up for that later.
02-17-2022, 10:03 PM
#272
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,469
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
If it takes a beard to make you look more mature, you're quite possibly one of those who adds "and a half" when stating your age.
Every time I hear someone say, "at the regionals..." it reminds me of kids who describe back in the day, when they were in kindergarten.
There does come a point when one needn't make an effort to look more mature; one simply is more mature, and doesn't need to advertise that.
If we have pilots in cockpits who need a beard to look mature enough to fly the airplane, perhaps we simply need more mature pilots.
Every time I hear someone say, "at the regionals..." it reminds me of kids who describe back in the day, when they were in kindergarten.
There does come a point when one needn't make an effort to look more mature; one simply is more mature, and doesn't need to advertise that.
If we have pilots in cockpits who need a beard to look mature enough to fly the airplane, perhaps we simply need more mature pilots.
Beards these days are a fashion style, nothing to do with maturity or trying to look mature. You might agree or not agree with it, but there is no harm in allowing them.
Happy to have a beard. As a middle-aged man.
02-18-2022, 03:15 AM
#275
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,273
Originally Posted by Wags808
Perhaps as an agnostic/atheist it is my strict belief to grow my facial hair however the hell I want? 
It really is a "minor" thing overall, which is why I think it just never gets pushed too hard. If there is a consensus the rule is dumb and should be changed I think we could do it.
It really is a "minor" thing overall, which is why I think it just never gets pushed too hard. If there is a consensus the rule is dumb and should be changed I think we could do it.
02-18-2022, 07:27 AM
#277
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,292
Originally Posted by sailingfun
Why are you writing to ALPA. You should be taking this up with your airlines management.
Assuming management assesses that bearded pilots won't harm their brand image... some folks over age 50 or 60 associate most facial hair with dope-smoking bohemians, and it turns out those are the people with time and money to travel.
So yes, your union is the place to start, they'll have to trade something with management which means a significant % of the pilot group will need to be cool with that.
Some companies might do it unilaterally if they think it would help them recruit & retain pilots.
02-18-2022, 07:46 AM
#278
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,683
Originally Posted by rickair7777
If management perceives a want, they'll happily charge the pilot group some negotiating capital for the privilege since it costs them nothing. Changing the status quo is not free in RLA land.
Assuming management assesses that bearded pilots won't harm their brand image... some folks over age 50 or 60 associate most facial hair with dope-smoking bohemians, and it turns out those are the people with time and money to travel.
So yes, your union is the place to start, they'll have to trade something with management which means a significant % of the pilot group will need to be cool with that.
Some companies might do it unilaterally if they think it would help them recruit & retain pilots.
Assuming management assesses that bearded pilots won't harm their brand image... some folks over age 50 or 60 associate most facial hair with dope-smoking bohemians, and it turns out those are the people with time and money to travel.
So yes, your union is the place to start, they'll have to trade something with management which means a significant % of the pilot group will need to be cool with that.
Some companies might do it unilaterally if they think it would help them recruit & retain pilots.
Is this good? Time will tell.
I’m skeptical, but people also aren’t as picky about the appearance of the pilots who fly their boxes around. We aren’t customer facing and don’t have to deal with all that entails.
02-19-2022, 09:31 AM
#280
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,026
Originally Posted by bajthejino
Pattern detected, the man talking of maturity, who then acts as if he has none.
The mature response, of course, is to place you on the ignore list, as one unworthy of further conversation. Done.
Originally Posted by bajthejino
This message is hidden because bajthejino is on your ignore list.
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