|
Beards
Definitely not super important during these times, but been doing some research lately. When will airlines, specifically regionals, allow facial hair? A well regulated rule like what Air Canada is doing would be awesome. Perhaps a maximum of half an inch with neatly groomed neck and cheek lines.
|
Originally Posted by yeeeyeee
(Post 3138414)
Definitely not super important during these times, but been doing some research lately. When will airlines, specifically regionals, allow facial hair? A well regulated rule like what Air Canada is doing would be awesome. Perhaps a maximum of half an inch with neatly groomed neck and cheek lines.
|
Originally Posted by yeeeyeee
(Post 3138414)
Definitely not super important during these times, but been doing some research lately. When will airlines, specifically regionals, allow facial hair? A well regulated rule like what Air Canada is doing would be awesome. Perhaps a maximum of half an inch with neatly groomed neck and cheek lines.
I wish more airlines would go the SWA/Virgin route with uniforms. It’s getting to the point where some of the uniform pieces look more like a Halloween costume than a uniform. No reason for us to be wearing trench coats straight out of WWII while the business class pax are wearing hard shell jackets that function better and look like they belong in this decade. |
Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon
(Post 3138422)
I wish more airlines would go the SWA/Virgin route with uniforms. It’s getting to the point where some of the uniform pieces look more like a Halloween costume than a uniform. No reason for us to be wearing trench coats straight out of WWII while the business class pax are wearing hard shell jackets that function better and look like they belong in this decade.
|
Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon
(Post 3138422)
Majors will probably have to lead the charge there, I’m guessing the regionals don’t want to risk some kind of image problem that could play a part in costing them flying. I’d wager 10-15 years, as the older pilots retire and the ratio of civilian to ex military at the legacies shifts.
I wish more airlines would go the SWA/Virgin route with uniforms. It’s getting to the point where some of the uniform pieces look more like a Halloween costume than a uniform. No reason for us to be wearing trench coats straight out of WWII while the business class pax are wearing hard shell jackets that function better and look like they belong in this decade. As for our uniforms, I think we are the ones looking less and less professional, not to mention severely outdated. Our stuff looks like things our grandparents wore and like you said, all the passengers in back have way more stylish looks going. I am not young or old and even I think it is time for a change. |
Originally Posted by Cyio
(Post 3138433)
As for our uniforms, I think we are the ones looking less and less professional, not to mention severely outdated.
|
Originally Posted by JediCheese
(Post 3138438)
Just don't take my leather bomber jacket!
|
1950s mentality smh, time for some beard like the Europeans, Canadians and the Gulf State pilots. Let men be men!
|
Let’s take it slow. Cookie dusters first?
|
when they start hiring in the year 2030, you can ask them
|
Yes, regionals will have to wait for majors. Majors can actually specify requirements for their FFD pilots... they usually don't because they want to keep costs low, but insisting on a clean shave is actually zero cost to the major partner.
From my perspective I see essentially zero impetus for beard reform at the legacies... there's a tiny handful of young, junior folks who bring it up but most of the membership doesn't give a rats arse. If the company offered, sure. But if we had to expend negotiating capital... not a chance in h3ll, I'm not giving up even $0.25/hr over beards. Maybe corporate or fractionals? I know some corporate operators are cool with it, might even convey some gravitas for the high-end pax... https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...d_J._Smith.jpg |
Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 3138536)
Yes, regionals will have to wait for majors. Majors can actually specify requirements for their FFD pilots... they usually don't because they want to keep costs low, but insisting on a clean shave is actually zero cost to the major partner.
From my perspective I see essentially zero impetus for beard reform at the legacies... there's a tiny handful of young, junior folks who bring it up but most of the membership doesn't give a rats arse. If the company offered, sure. But if we had to expend negotiating capital... not a chance in h3ll, I'm not giving up even $0.25/hr over beards. |
Originally Posted by Excargodog
(Post 3138545)
Except the company is not going to offer because it’s a problem HR doesn’t want or need. Clean shaven is sort of unambiguous. Once you let beards in they would either have to let ANY beard in no matter how bizarre or have a subjective standard that would now mean getting out the calipers to monitor and control the few that would abuse it. On top of the other problems HR must contend with, it would be an annoying little issue that they really don’t need. Until/unless the majors get a shortage of qualified applicants who refuse to fly without their bird it ain’t going to happen.
Honestly, if your personal identity is so deeply inter-twined with facial hair and other fashion affections that it impacts your employment options, you might want to try a three-year stint in the USMC. You get to rid yourself of all personal accessories (including hair), and learn about and develop the REAL you :) |
Originally Posted by Excargodog
(Post 3138545)
Except the company is not going to offer because it’s a problem HR doesn’t want or need. Clean shaven is sort of unambiguous. Once you let beards in they would either have to let ANY beard in no matter how bizarre or have a subjective standard that would now mean getting out the calipers to monitor and control the few that would abuse it. On top of the other problems HR must contend with, it would be an annoying little issue that they really don’t need. Until/unless the majors get a shortage of qualified applicants who refuse to fly without their bird it ain’t going to happen.
|
Originally Posted by Tampa2
(Post 3138551)
I love the idea but I agree it would be short lived. We all know within a few months the policy would be abused & managements don’t want to be bothered trying to enforce it.
https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-conten...nderson-14.jpg |
I for one, hate beards and love the current uniform. Never wore the trench coat though.
Seriously though, how many of you guys got married in your uniform? Or took baby bump pics wearing it? That is CRINGE! |
Originally Posted by Excargodog
(Post 3138545)
Once you let beards in they would either have to let ANY beard in no matter how bizarre or have a subjective standard that would now mean getting out the calipers to monitor and control the few that would abuse it.
See how easy that is? There really is no excuse for prohibiting facial hair. It's an antiquated BS prohibition that makes zero sense and is quite frankly insulting to us as professionals. |
Originally Posted by SonicFlyer
(Post 3138672)
No, it's real simple... something like "no extreme hair styles, beards must not be more than 1/4" in length and kept neatly groomed"
See how easy that is? . |
The only reason this is an issue is cause some just can't grow a Robin Olds level stache.
|
Originally Posted by SonicFlyer
(Post 3138672)
No, it's real simple... something like "no extreme hair styles, beards must not be more than 1/4" in length and kept neatly groomed"
See how easy that is? There really is no excuse for prohibiting facial hair. It's an antiquated BS prohibition that makes zero sense and is quite frankly insulting to us as professionals. |
Somehow lots of other airlines manage
but I agree there’s no reason to spend negotiating capital and the company would be foolish to give it for free |
Originally Posted by Excargodog
(Post 3138675)
Bring out the calipers and the lawyers. Define “neatly groomed.”
I even go more than a couple days without shaving on the line and have never heard anything. The idea that we would all suddenly look like vagabonds is ludicrous. We are adults and know when things get out of hand. Those that don’t will be pulled in and spoken to about it. I mean, HR has to deal with ironing of uniforms, having the wrong uniform, haircuts etc and get by just fine. To say that allowing facial hair will suddenly cause a mass problem for them is silly. Lastly, we are about the last folks not allowing it, so if everyone else can make it work, I think we can too. |
Originally Posted by Cyio
(Post 3138740)
I mean, HR has to deal with ironing of uniforms, having the wrong uniform, haircuts etc and get by just fine. To say that allowing facial hair will suddenly cause a mass problem for them is silly.
. United Parcel Service Inc. will pay $4.9 million to resolve a U.S. government lawsuit that claimed the company’s uniform and appearance guidelines are biased. The settlement is the largest class religious discrimination settlement in the history of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the agency’s former chief attorney. “It’s a very important case to make sure that large employers take the steps necessary to accommodate all religious minorities,” David Lopez, the EEOC’s Obama-era general counsel, told Bloomberg Law. “It is a big case, and to the best of my recollection, that is the largest resolution.” In its August 2015 lawsuit, the commission alleged that the package delivery giant refused to hire applicants who wore beards and long hair for religious reasons. UPS also segregated employees with religious-related beards and long hair into nonsupervisory jobs with no customer contact, denied them equal opportunities for promotion, and failed to provide them with faith-based work accommodations, the EEOC alleged. |
Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 3138539)
Yes, regionals will have to wait for majors. Majors can actually specify requirements for their FFD pilots... they usually don't because they want to keep costs low, but insisting on a clean shave is actually zero cost to the major partner.
From my perspective I see essentially zero impetus for beard reform at the legacies... there's a tiny handful of young, junior folks who bring it up but most of the membership doesn't give a rats arse. If the company offered, sure. But if we had to expend negotiating capital... not a chance in h3ll, I'm not giving up even $0.25/hr over beards. Maybe corporate or fractionals? I know some corporate operators are cool with it, might even convey some gravitas for the high-end pax... https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...d_J._Smith.jpg |
How is it any different from the hair on top of your head? Does your company go around measuring haircuts? It would be the same standards with beards. Don't let it go, otherwise you risk drawing unwanted attention to yourself from the chiefs.
|
Originally Posted by yeeeyeee
(Post 3138414)
Definitely not super important during these times, but been doing some research lately. When will airlines, specifically regionals, allow facial hair? A well regulated rule like what Air Canada is doing would be awesome. Perhaps a maximum of half an inch with neatly groomed neck and cheek lines.
|
Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 3138555)
|
I was under the impression that beards prevent the oxygen mask from sealing and are therefore a safety issue.
|
Originally Posted by Delta Lite
(Post 3138980)
I was under the impression that beards prevent the oxygen mask from sealing and are therefore a safety issue.
|
While not technically a regional per se, JSX flies regional jets and allows for beards. I personally had one for 90% of my time there. While there were a couple of guys that looked sloppy, most people did groom them nicely and it looked good
|
ExpressJet was about to make the change at the beginning of this year right when all this bs happened. They were going to use it as a recruiting tool. But we know the end to that story.
|
"...try a three-year stint in the USMC. You get to rid yourself of all personal accessories (including hair), and learn about and develop the REAL you."
The last radically "Pro-beard" guy I flew with was a 23 year old FO, who showed up on day three with a feigned apology about not having time to shave his beard that morning. I had to look very, very, very close to see that he was right. |
Originally Posted by luke3
(Post 3139024)
While not technically a regional per se, JSX flies regional jets and allows for beards. I personally had one for 90% of my time there. While there were a couple of guys that looked sloppy, most people did groom them nicely and it looked good
Sure, there will be ones that abuse it or outright flaunt their refusal to conform, but these people would do this with anything offered. The HR excuse doesnt hold water with me, that is part of their job. |
Originally Posted by Cyio
(Post 3139057)
Sure, there will be ones that abuse it or outright flaunt their refusal to conform, but these people would do this with anything offered. The HR excuse doesnt hold water with me, that is part of their job.
It's more of a corporate culture issue, and that includes the pilot groups themselves... maybe 20% want beards, 20% don't want beards but are fine but the majority are opposed, at least at the majors. And the regionals will have to follow the majors on this one. I'd throw in my lot with the beard-backers if we could get some 'stache flexibility thrown in for good measure... Sam Elliot, Horseshoe, Magnum PI haha For those hoping for a paradigm shift, recall that we had a beard fad back in the 70's which got zero traction in any of the traditionally clean-shaven professions. Most likely, this too shall pass. |
Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 3139088)
Yeah, corporate management of beard compliance isn't any different than for haircuts.
It's more of a corporate culture issue, and that includes the pilot groups themselves... maybe 20% want beards, 20% don't want beards but are fine but the majority are opposed, at least at the majors. And the regionals will have to follow the majors on this one. I'd throw in my lot with the beard-backers if we could get some 'stache flexibility thrown in for good measure... Sam Elliot, Horseshoe, Magnum PI haha For those hoping for a paradigm shift, recall that we had a beard fad back in the 70's which got zero traction in any of the traditionally clean-shaven professions. Most likely, this too shall pass. Sure, HR can handle it. Besides, if you can pass a class 1 physical what business is it of the company - or the public - what you look like? https://i.ibb.co/LQpVZ9B/D6583-BB4-F...20-BAE4-C1.jpg |
Originally Posted by Excargodog
(Post 3139102)
Sure, HR can handle it. Besides, if you can pass a class 1 physical what business is it of the company - or the public - what you look like?
|
Myself and many others have beards at the airline we work for. I sometimes forget and wonder why I get all the weird looks from pilots when I'm being positive spaced to and from work if I happen to be in uniform.
|
|
|
Originally Posted by Excargodog
(Post 3139217)
Not at all. But one more subjective HR enforcement issue is simply one more problem they don’t need. Not with thousands of qualified people out there on furlough who are ready to shave to get a job.
Tell me, how many HR cases arise each year at any airline over hairstyle? |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:11 PM. |
Website Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands