Pursuit of the Hirsute Face

[Twitter n Bisted]

On a lighter subject recently discussed over a few beers….

What are the rules amongst the various airlines in OZ regarding facial hair.
If you are not allowed what reasons are given?

From memory back in the 90s Ansett followed by Kendals tech crew were banned from facial hair while QF were not.

Lets hear from Jet*, VB, Rex, QF, AAE are you deprived from sporting the goatee, the tickler, The Errol Flynn, is the porn star look denied?

Your comments please and especially the reasons given

[neville_nobody]

I was of the understanding that it was a no go item because of issues with oxygen masks not sealing correctly around your face if you had a full beard.

[Keg]

QF haven't been allowed a beard (or goatee) since before my involvement with QF in 91. I suspect it's been in place a lot longer than that.

I don't think the oft quoted oxy mask theory holds true as many airlines around the world allow facial hair- including Oneworld partners BA and Cathay. I seem to recall (but may be mistaken) that RN Sea Harrier drivers are also allowed to have beards and they wear the oxy mask far more often than airline drivers would.

There was a case a couple of years back where a RAAF CPL took them to court over his inability to have either long hair or a beard. He lost but I recall the reasons quoted as being part of the military discipline. I suspect that a QF driver who wanted to take the company to court on this one would win as there is no reasonable reason (apart from aesthetics) why someone shouldn't be able to wear a beard. Of course you'd have to be willing to cough up the dough and most QF drivers probably don't care enough to bother!

[twiggs]

Actually the QF beard rule was challenged after the merger with TN.
TAA/Australian did allow beards and at least one particular F/A who had a beard, took the case to the AIRC with the help of the FAAA.
The beards lost unfortunately, and the oxygen mask and PBE seal was to blame.
Here's a link to the case:
http://www.airc.gov.au080/isysquery/irl6e3/1/doc

[Howard Hughes]

Surely those big handle bar moustaches some of the QF chappies have, would make sealing of an oxygen mask far more difficult than a neatly trimmed beard, in fact you may not even get the mask over some of them!

I personally think it's a croc, the quick donning masks flight crew wear have a positive pressure, air will only leak out, not in, especially considering the pressure will be higher inside the mask.

What do we need a tight seal for anyway, unless you are planning a little underwater expedition!

[Keg]

The beards lost unfortunately, and the oxygen mask and PBE seal was to blame.

That's surreal given the number of foreign operators who obviously don't feel it's a drama!

[NRDK]

Right enough, QF have always been lax on the way the female staff presented themselves.

[tail wheel]

"...and at least one particular F/A who had a beard..."

Sounds like one of Reg's "old boilers" on youth hormone pills!!

[Pinky the pilot]

Sounds like one of Reg's "old boilers" on youth hormone pills!!

Omigawd Taily; You got a death wish or something??

If any of the abovementioned happen to peruse these pages and track you down........ooohhh, what they'll do to you!!!!!

[Starts with P]

Keg is right about the beards on the RN Harrier drivers. I know of a ex-CO that had a full beard... As full as you can get really. It's an interesting reason/excuse.

[WilliamOK]

So is the QF ban on all facial hair? Including sideburns, mutton chops, moustaches etc?

Making me rethink my career aspirations......

[Bankstownboy]

I wonder if QF would order a Muslim pilot to shave their beard...

[Keg]

So is the QF ban on all facial hair? Including sideburns, mutton chops, moustaches etc?

No. A moustache is permitted and long(ish) sideburns are also permitted. I haven't read that part of the FAM for a LOOONNNG time though so I'm not full bottle on the current requirements. A few of our guys have decent handle bars though.

Unless someone else comes up with the answer in the mean time it'll be a few days before I have access to a FAM to check.

[twiggs]

Cabin Crew are not permitted to have: Facial hair below the lip line, beards, goatees, soul patch (tuft of hair under lip), facial hair below a horizontal line across the face drawn through the mouth.

[lowerlobe]

There you have it because Twiggs would know.....

[piston broke again]

Movember

I thought the basic rule was that on a moustache/goatie, all the build up of grease, wax etc in a pure oxygen environment from the mask, is more likely to support combustion. Hence the reason why cabin crew, prior to administering medicinal oxygen to passengers, would advise the pax to wipe their mouths with a sterile gauze before placing the mask over their face.

[twiggs]

Originally Posted by piston broke again

I thought the basic rule was that on a moustache/goatie, all the build up of grease, wax etc in a pure oxygen environment from the mask, is more likely to support combustion. Hence the reason why cabin crew, prior to administering medicinal oxygen to passengers, would advise the pax to wipe their mouths with a sterile gauze before placing the mask over their face.

That is not the rule for oxygen administered in the cabin as it is far from pure.
It is a different story though for PBE use where the oxygen content is pure.
Anyway moustaches are permitted, probably because the mask seal will not be touching the mo.

[lowerlobe]

Actually not correct Twiggsy...With the use of any oxygen you should not let it flow on any oil or grease whether this is a portable bottle or otherwise irrespective of the mask used.

[twiggs]

Thanks for the correction lowerlobbsy.

[john_tullamarine]

Sounds like one of Reg's "old boilers" on youth hormone pills!!

Fair suck of the sauce bottle there, Tail Wheel. Some of us were absolutely besotted by the fair ladies of the elder set ... mind you, Margie C. (if I recall correctly) shut me up good and proper on one occasion when I were but a cheeky young F/O .. leaned over the F/E, kissed me on top of the head .. and walked out of the cockpit... to the joint laughter of captain and F/E ...

.. having had a beard now for the past couple of years .. no way will the skin ever again see daylight ...