Hey all,

I understand tattoos are widely unaccepted in the pilot industry. I am wondering from the experience out there if anyone has seen pilots wearing compression sleeves to hide tattoos. I have a tattoo that goes down to about mid forearm on one arm. Just seeing if anyone has seen it and the airlines allow it or if most guys just wear long sleeves. I don't need any comments from the anti-tattoo parade, i'm just seeing if this is a possibility or if I will have to wear long sleeves for the life of my career. Thanks for any input.

I've only seen long sleeves.

Why get a tattoo....?
(Not being anti anything here, just Don't understand, as in clueless)

I think it all depends on the culture and requirements of your airline. I've seen some guys no really care that their forearm tattoos were showing when wearing a short sleeve shirt, but I also know guys that would only wear long sleeve shirts to cover up their tats.

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Um he probably got it before becoming a pilot. That said, the only safe tattoo is one you can cover up easily.

Most folks that I know who have anything visible below the short sleeve line just wear long sleeves. I have seen a couple of guys lately who had some smaller stuff on their forearms who were wearing short sleeves. But it isn't very common.

We have a guy with full sleeves and still wears short sleeve shirts and couldn't care less what people may or may not think. While flying with him, all I hear are compliments from pax and other workers though.

I have 3-4 visible arm tattoos while wearing short sleeves. I just wear long sleeves to the interview and first few days of training until I can get a feel for the atmosphere. Have never heard any complaints. Was actually encouraged by the cooler of the two asst. chiefs to get full arm sleeves.

Aren't visible tattoos against uniform regs at most, if not all airlines? Just curious.

They are at most if not all majors.

The word "tattoo" is not ever mentioned in our FOM.