Wow, touchy subject. But I'll give you my take. I'm 55, and I'm in a generation that sees ornate tattoos as a negative - something that convicts get while they're in prison. As you say, this is changing, but lots of Chief Pilots are still in my age range. And if I were a Chief Pilot and you came to me for a job and I saw your tattoos, I'd pick someone else. If I discovered them after the fact (like if you were successful at hiding them from me in the interview and got hired), I'd get rid of you at the FIRST opportunity. Gone. Why?
Look, nobody cares about the single tattoo you got on your bicep when you were in the military. Rite of passage, I get that. But to me, multiple or large/colorful tattoos that transition into "body art" signify a certain non-comformist attitude - and definitely an anti-authority attitude! These are two attitudes that I absolutely do NOT want in a pilot working for me. I want pilots of whom I can
reasonably be assured that they are going to follow the Ops Manual, the FAR's, etc. and not strike out on their own when the muse suits them. Is this an accurate yardstick? Obviously not, but it's a starting point.
Also, multiple tattoos also tell me that the person who got them enjoys pain. And don't friggin' tell me that tattoos are not painful. I don't want to hang around, associate with or hire people who enjoy pain. That a person enjoys pain tells me something about their psyche I'd rather not know, thank you. Sorry, that's just me.
Looking around, it is clear that many young people think that body art and piercings are okay. *LOTS* of young women are getting tattoos these days - the infamous "tramp stamp" that we love so much,
We'll see how this goes: it may be a passing fad; it may be cultural change. And, in the long run it may not matter much. Maybe tattoos don't really mean what message they send. Maybe I'm just an old-fogey who needs to get with the program and realize that body art is...just...body art and nothing more. I don't know.
Remember, this is strictly *my* personal prejudice talking, but if you come before me looking for a job, and I can see holes in your skin from ear, eyebrow, nose and/or lip piercings, and I detect you have tattoos, I'll pass you over for someone else who I (perhaps illogically) think may better conform to my operation. Knowing all this, if you still choose to get tattoos
and pursue a career in aviation, all I can say to you is good luck! I hope you get a Chief Pilot who is more enlightened than me.