tattoos and pilot training
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2018
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From: Horley
tattoos and pilot training
Hi all.
Im in the process of doing my PPL and i will go on to do my full CPL later on but i was wondering,
I want to get a tattoo, only a small one on the underside of my wrist (no larger than 5cm by 5cm). will this affect my chances of getting with an airline in the future?
Im in the process of doing my PPL and i will go on to do my full CPL later on but i was wondering,
I want to get a tattoo, only a small one on the underside of my wrist (no larger than 5cm by 5cm). will this affect my chances of getting with an airline in the future?
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 565
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From: N/A
If you are already thinking that a tattoo may affect your chances of an aviation career, then I think you already know the answer.
The number one job killer is a criminal record, followed by drink/drive convictions and ASBOs. From there you can go on down the list. Something as minor as a tattoo isn’t necessarily the the kiss of death, But ask yourself, exactly how could it be seen as an asset. Is this the image you want to portray?
Gang bangers, inmates and primal tribes have tattoos.
Not cultured professionals.
My recomendation is - no piercings or tattoos.
I would also go so far as to even recommend ‘no facial hair’ as well.
Sounds too radical to you? Then save it for after you have your dream job. Then you can push the envelope to what your company deems acceptable, not before hand.
I was having a pint with a UK Q400 copilot with a full sleeve. Nice lad, but I couldn’t help wondering how the next step was going to work out for him. I thought that being cool to his friends, could make him look totally uncool to his peers.
The number one job killer is a criminal record, followed by drink/drive convictions and ASBOs. From there you can go on down the list. Something as minor as a tattoo isn’t necessarily the the kiss of death, But ask yourself, exactly how could it be seen as an asset. Is this the image you want to portray?
Gang bangers, inmates and primal tribes have tattoos.
Not cultured professionals.
My recomendation is - no piercings or tattoos.
I would also go so far as to even recommend ‘no facial hair’ as well.
Sounds too radical to you? Then save it for after you have your dream job. Then you can push the envelope to what your company deems acceptable, not before hand.
I was having a pint with a UK Q400 copilot with a full sleeve. Nice lad, but I couldn’t help wondering how the next step was going to work out for him. I thought that being cool to his friends, could make him look totally uncool to his peers.
Last edited by button push ignored; 8th May 2018 at 02:38.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,777
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From: Blighty
Same with our company. Visible tats are a big no no. You will not get employed if it's visible at the interview. And as the company does it's own medicals, you wouldn't get away with hiding it. Anything that's covered by a short sleeve shirt is OK.
Don't do it.
Don't do it.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 305
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From: Fresno
I was in the UK a while back and was listening to a very well-spoken etiquette expert on the radio. When asked his opinion on tattoos he didn't hesitate. In an accent that could cut glass he replied "I view them in much the same light as I do graffiti on the wall of a public lavatory." I formed the opinion that - on balance - he didn't approve. And nor do I. David, please try and remember that you will not be interviewed by a hip young guy who likes your 'tatt', but a grumpy old bastard like me.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,023
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From: uk
I have seen just a couple of pilots with tattoos in forty plus years of flying. I guess its no big deal in itself but the professional pilot community is in general, a very conservative one. My advice would be not to bother and concentrate on your flying.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
It all has to do with perception in the public eye.
You see this in advertising on TV every single day.
People in uniform tend to be seen as trustworthy and reliable, such as doctors. They wear a uniform for their profession.
Anything that will conflict with that image in the public eye will get noticed.
For a career pilot these are simple things such as:
-Wearing sunglasses in the terminal
-Wearing earbuds while in uniform in oublic
-Foul language while in uniform
-Complaining about your company while in public
-Talking about boozing it up while in public
- Tattoos
I’ve met many pilots that sported tattoos while off duty, none of them showed in uniform.
I have a tattoo myself so it’s not like I’m against tattoos.
Besides your wrist is one of the most painful places.
As far as perception goes, who would you trust more?
You see this in advertising on TV every single day.
People in uniform tend to be seen as trustworthy and reliable, such as doctors. They wear a uniform for their profession.
Anything that will conflict with that image in the public eye will get noticed.
For a career pilot these are simple things such as:
-Wearing sunglasses in the terminal
-Wearing earbuds while in uniform in oublic
-Foul language while in uniform
-Complaining about your company while in public
-Talking about boozing it up while in public
- Tattoos
I’ve met many pilots that sported tattoos while off duty, none of them showed in uniform.
I have a tattoo myself so it’s not like I’m against tattoos.
Besides your wrist is one of the most painful places.
As far as perception goes, who would you trust more?
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: 60 north
Sailors, Bikers and Criminals has tattoos.
I have met one pilot that had an anchor with a heart on it, he is now in SAS. Never rolled up his sleeves!
What was his former profession?
PS
I have met more Criminal pilots then visible tattooed ones!
You figure it out!
I have met one pilot that had an anchor with a heart on it, he is now in SAS. Never rolled up his sleeves!
What was his former profession?
PS
I have met more Criminal pilots then visible tattooed ones!
You figure it out!
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 35
From: I wouldn't know.
Guess it depends in which airline. In my last interview i was interviewed by a 22 year FO and 30 something cabin manager, applying as a captain. The rules still state that tattoos shouldn‘t be visible, but wearing a long sleeved shirt is fine, and anything that is covered by that. I have met quite a few tattoed pilots, including those wearing them pretty much on the full alrea covered by the usual long sleeved uniform. But then, i guess that some areas of the world are not as conservative as others.
I was once working in an airline that was in the process of changing its uniform and appearance manual to allow visible tattoos everywhere except on the face, following a marketing campaign with a heavily tattoed girl. The airline in question is now gone, but not really as a result of that campaign (which was, at least in its intended market, rather well received) but rather continued bad management over more than 10 year.
I was once working in an airline that was in the process of changing its uniform and appearance manual to allow visible tattoos everywhere except on the face, following a marketing campaign with a heavily tattoed girl. The airline in question is now gone, but not really as a result of that campaign (which was, at least in its intended market, rather well received) but rather continued bad management over more than 10 year.
de minimus non curat lex
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 7
From: sunny troon
Ex military (NCOs) may well have tattoos on their arms, but not visible when wearing long sleeved shirts.
Part of the culture whilst in the Services, and further more they make perfectly fine civilian pilots.
That is a different situation from that of the OP, and what is proposed.
What is in your psychi which has a need for a tattoo on your wrist?
On seconds thoughts don't answer that Q; probably best discussed with a trick cyclist.
Part of the culture whilst in the Services, and further more they make perfectly fine civilian pilots.
That is a different situation from that of the OP, and what is proposed.
What is in your psychi which has a need for a tattoo on your wrist?
On seconds thoughts don't answer that Q; probably best discussed with a trick cyclist.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
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From: in the barrel
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 29
From: Bolton ENGLAND
Not sure that it makes too much difference as for the most part the paying punters (SLF) do not come into close
contact with the flight crew.
Errrr....why are we talking about flight crew in a cabin crew thread??
Last edited by Planemike; 19th May 2018 at 15:36.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 658
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From: Green and pleasant land
To be fair to the OP, he's asked a genuine question and doesn't deserve knocking for wanting a tattoo. I don't have any but my OH does and it's quite nice actually. Just not visible under most circumstances. The bottom line is that it's the employers choice about how their staff look, dress and how they present the company to their customers... and that can, and should IMNSHO, include visible tattoos. And the higher the bar, the more high-profile the job then the higher those standards will be.
Years ago we did an interview with a potential employee. We were incredibly relaxed in our dress code (when customer-facing the normal get-up was clean jeans, trainers and the obligatory aircraft t-shirt). But when faced by a foul-mouthed person with unwashed, rancid looking, multi-coloured hair, facial piercings and visible tattoos, our instinctive reaction was "No, we don't want this person anywhere near our customers because those customers will run a mile". So we didn't employ her. Brutal, maybe. Simple, yes.
Just my 2p worth
CS
Years ago we did an interview with a potential employee. We were incredibly relaxed in our dress code (when customer-facing the normal get-up was clean jeans, trainers and the obligatory aircraft t-shirt). But when faced by a foul-mouthed person with unwashed, rancid looking, multi-coloured hair, facial piercings and visible tattoos, our instinctive reaction was "No, we don't want this person anywhere near our customers because those customers will run a mile". So we didn't employ her. Brutal, maybe. Simple, yes.
Just my 2p worth
CS