Wow I really stirred up the Hornets nest with this one didn't I?
Thanks for all your replies guys, It's been very interesting and informative reading and certainly helped me in my decision.
I think for now I'm going to put that plan on the back burner and concentrate on starting on my training and getting a foothold in the industry.
But before I sign off let me give my opinion on some of the issues discussed here.
The overriding theme throughout this thread seems to be that many people (and I'm guessing probably no one with a tat) see them as a form of rebellion. Anyone that gets a tat to show how 'rebellious' they are is a fool. I think the only way you can truly rebel against society these days is be be like those idiots who smashed up London Monday last week (including my home town). It doesn't mean you don't 'follow the rules' and so make you an unsafe pilot. When and if (hope upon hope) I become a pilot I won't want to be anything other than an exemplary pilot, obviously to further my career but also so I'm safe. Never mind the precious cargo I may be carrying why would I want to put my own life at risk? I don't want to die until I'm an old man, too old to fly (with my 35 year old supermodel wife weeping at my grave
).
It is becoming far from non-conformist these days, I know one girl with a number of visible tatts who had a good job with the Disney channel, another I work with now who is a trainee legal counsel. Admittedly hers is small but that is on a permanently visible spot on her wrist. None of these girls are 'on the edge of society'. There are plenty of people with tats who are alternative but there are also plenty who are 'normal' (for want of a better phrase).
People who get them enjoy pain! Please! Biggest myth going. I've heard people claim they've met people who enjoy the pain but I've never met one. I certainly didn't and I don't know anyone who does.
Many people decide to have one for the simple reason that they like the work of the particular artist and some genuine artists with incredible skill have sprang up over the last 10 years. Most people aren't trying to say anything they just want to carry something the they consider beautiful.
Just because you carry a tat doesn't mean you are scruffy, messy hair, unshaven etc as I read on one reply. Quite the opposite these days, I take great pride in my appearance. I'm fit, healthy and always presentable (I hope
) a lot more so than some people I see without tats. And again so are many people I know the with tats, some actually very stylish.
Some people carry tats in an 'in your face manor' some don't, I'm one of the ones that doesn't, the ones that do - get them for all the wrong reasons. When I started this thread I wasn't for one minute considering these kinds of people. Of course if you're covered in tats or have them on your neck or face you wouldn't get a job but that's applicable in many industries. Whether it's right or wrong who knows, I have my own opinion on that but I'm not going to go into that now. What I was referring to is the kind of tat you can easily cover, such as the one I have now and any others I may have in the future. It is large piece and so would be the others, but they are/would be concealable.
Right I'm starting to bore even myself now, so I'm going to wrap it up.
So for now I'll wait until I have my next one done, I've always wanted to fly (and hopefully I will) and I've wanted particular tats for a long time. That's just who I am and I never think you should be afraid to be who you are. But for the moment I shouldn't make things harder for me (it's going to be hard enough anyway).
Thanks guys see ya'll on another thread sometime.