disfiguring mutilation..... i'd hardly use those words to describe tattoos.
BEagle : surely your 'old man' views could be classed as discrimination in this day and age. Whether I have a tattoo or not does not affect my ability to fly an aircraft, nor has it affected my intelligence. I'm quite happy with the way I can interact with people from all backgrounds - no doubt someone who has to fly with you would feel uneasy about any differences of opinion they have to you, what with your condescending and patronising attitude and inability to accept someone who might choose to express themselves in a manner which you would not.
AS far as the scrap metal in my navel, I only go for platinum and real diamonds!