Tattoos and future pilots

[Probationer]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum but I have been reading sections/post for some time and decided to join.

I want to start my flight training this year and my aim is to complete my PPL and CPL etc...

However, I do have a question which I am open to any comments from people who are currently working in the industry or potentially know the answer to my question.

Before I spend my hard earned cash on my training and eventually becoming a pilot, I have a full sleeve tattoo on my arm, none of the images or writing are offensive but I would like to know if this is going to hinder my opportunities of securing a job in the future?

Is there an option of wearing a long sleeved shirt at all times to cover this up or is this wishful thinking?

I am currently in a very professional job at the moment and this is something that has never been discriminated on but I know from previous post on this subject years ago has had very mixed views.

I hope some one will take the time to answer my question and I would like to thank anyone in advance.

[4Screwaircrew]

I've never sen anyone with a full sleeve, but have flown with many tattooed pilots, whilst I don't like them they are a part of life; the person not the artwork is what is being looked at. Many crew members routinely wear long sleeved shirts so that isn't a problem.

[Probationer]

Thanks for the reply 4screwaircrew, much appreciated.

In your own opinion would you recommend me going through my training while contacting potential airlines?

[go around flaps15]

The only way is to always wear long sleeves. Most airlines will not accept one of their pilots turning up to work with any tattoo on show let alone a full sleeve.

That's just the way it is.

[despegue]

No tattoo is allowed to be visible when in uniform with the vast majority of airlines Worldwide.
Some Airlines even completely prohibit tattoos. Remember that some cultures find tattoos extremely offensive ( eg. Japan)
So unless you will be willing to wear long sleeved shirts during your whole career ( something that may or may not be allowed depending on the airline and saison), I recommend you to either lose the tattoo or find an alternative career.

[pacflyer7]

Plenty of pilots (me personally) have tattoo's and I know of guys with full sleeve's. They are just made to wear long sleeve shirts.

[Probationer]

Plenty of mixed views which is just as I'd of imagined. I appreciate all the comments so thank you all for that.

[Capot]

Don't forget that many slightly older and wiser people, such as any interviewer you may encounter, regard tattoos as an alternative to a Post-it on your forehead saying "I'm stupid".

They are often not wrong, although such an attitude is of course totally unjustified, discriminatory, whatever else you wish to call it.

By the way, substituting "of" for have" is bad enough in spoken English, and worse in written English. There are many older and wiser people, quite possibly the same people as mentioned above, who would see it, quite unfairly if that is what you were taught, as another stupidity indicator.

[onetrack]

Tattoos are regarded by intelligent people as an indicator of thought processes that are not mature or capable of consideration of long-term ramifications of ones actions.
Tattoos have an immediate impact on people looking at them, and it's rarely positive.
Substantial size tattoos pyschologically promote aggression, are always immediately linked to criminality, and generally lower a persons status in most societies.
I often wonder what a lot of the younger generation who are being actively recruited by mostly bikie-run tattoo parlours, to cover themselves with what I refer to as "body graffiti", will consider how stupid it was to indulge in their ill-thought-out decisions to cover themselves in tattoos, in their older years.
Many tattoos very quickly lose any relevance, particularly those related to events. Many other tattoos merely promote aggressiveness from those easily pushed into aggression.
One only has to see the hard-core criminals covered from head to foot in graffiti to understand that there's some serious pyschological disturbance involved with those people who see substantial tattooing as something to be proud of.
And lastly - why would anyone with a modicum of sense, inject their largest body organ (their skin) with substantial amounts of inks and dyes that rate as "foreign bodies" in their system, and which stay there for life, with dubious long-term health effects?

[Amadis of Gaul]

In an industry as competitive as aviation, why stack the deck against yourself?

[helimutt]

Onetrack, I have worked with many people over the years with tattoos and not one of them has shown any hint of having violent tendencies. Such a stereotype thing to say.
They may promote aggression in your eyes but your age may have someting to do with that. I'm not being ageist, but every time I hear negative things said about tattoos, its nearly always from the older generation. Theyre just more accepted in society these days.

You can't discriminate against someone just because they have tattoos.
But, I do agree that if you have tattoos, then maybe its better to have them covered up when in uniform. Certain tattoos may well create the feeling of uneasiness amongst others. LOVE and HATE on the knuckles probably arent going to get you far in the aviation industry.

One of the most placid and decent guys I ever worked with was an offshore guy who was always wrapped up due to working outside. Turned out he had virtually every part of his body covered with tattoos, but I never knew that for 3 years because he'd avoided having them where they could normally be seen in normal clothing. Long sleeves etc.

[Capot]

but every time I hear negative things said about tattoos, its nearly always from the older generation.Of course it is; but the reality is that people who decide whether to offer a job are likely to be slightly older.

You can't discriminate against someone just because they have tattoos.Yes, yes, we know all that. But it happens; why provoke discrimination? Try as I might, if I were faced with two candidates for one job, each perfectly suited in every way, but one tattooed and one not, I'm likely to give it to the one without tattoos.

That's how grumpy old farts work; get over it. If you want a GOF to give you a job, hide the tattoos.

[Denti]

In an interview situation one wears the usual business attire anyway (suit, long sleeved shirt etc.) so a full sleeve tattoo shouldnt be visible. During lineflying you just have to stick to the long sleeved shirts, but that shouldnt be a problem.

[galaxy flyer]

You can't discriminate against someone just because they have tattoos.

If course, an employer can! It's not race, religion, national origin, sex or sexual orientation. Employers always discriminate, that's what the hiring process is about.

Let's face it, aviation is a pretty conservative staid operation, tattoos, strange attire, appearances out of the norm are not going to be welcome. Yes, I'm a GOF and potentially a hiring manager

[onetrack]

To the OP, if you feel the tattoo is now irrelevant and could play a part in restricting your current and future job opportunities/promotions, I understand from medical friends that tattoo removal is possible via saline injections into the upper layers of skin, or by breaking up the pigments and dyes with laser.
However, I'm informed all tattoo removal methods are painful and slow - and costly - and they all take considerable time.

[gorter]

I recently applied to a major carrier. In the application form I was asked if I had any visible tattoos and in the interview I was just asked if I had any. In both cases I was able to answer no.
Employers can and will discriminate against someone who has them.

At a very minimum they must be covered at all times, ideally in today's airline world you shouldn't have them in any spot that could ever be seen.