Can pilots have beards?
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Can pilots have beards?
Sorry to darken your forum with the apparently 'not so important', but I have a job interview very soon with a medium sized carrier - I also have a very neat/short and tidy 'goaty' style beard.
In all seriousness, should I shave it off before the interview? I have to say that whatever your views about such facial hair, I have had it for years and no one has complained yet! In fact, my pals and wife think it would be a huge shame to get rid of it
The only reason I am asking is because the subject matter of beards and pilots came up in the pub the other day, and it was mooted that you rarely see airline pilots sporting anything other than a neatly trimmed moustache (is that how it's spelt?) And even then, they tend to be of the x-RAF types.
Oh God, I know I'm going to get abused for this post....
FW
In all seriousness, should I shave it off before the interview? I have to say that whatever your views about such facial hair, I have had it for years and no one has complained yet! In fact, my pals and wife think it would be a huge shame to get rid of it
The only reason I am asking is because the subject matter of beards and pilots came up in the pub the other day, and it was mooted that you rarely see airline pilots sporting anything other than a neatly trimmed moustache (is that how it's spelt?) And even then, they tend to be of the x-RAF types.Oh God, I know I'm going to get abused for this post....
FW
PPRuNe Handmaiden
I have seen beards, goaties, moustaches on pilots*. However, all have been currently employed. Whether or not a goatie would be acceptable at the interview stage might be another matter. If in doubt, shave it off. It can always grow back.
There was an issue in days gone by re the quickfitting Ox mask. I don't think that issue exists within QF or BA.
*male
There was an issue in days gone by re the quickfitting Ox mask. I don't think that issue exists within QF or BA.
*male
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No major airline will ever employ a pilot with a silly beard, especially a beard as silly as a goatee! No way!
If anyone on this board with a silly beard attempts to tell you he is a pilot, ignore him. If he has some idiot nickname based on unwell sea-creatures, pay him even less attention! Redsnail will back me up on this, no?
In all seriousness, have passed at least one of the "major airline interview-experiences" sporting a beard of the "artistic" variety. (EK ) However, the original sponsorship part was done without......(BA) though the rather belligerent and unannounced re-employment interview (again BA after the Gulf War) was with.
Do whatever you feel comfortable with. In other words, if it bothers you enough to post here, perhaps you'd be better to shave. If your girlfriend thinks a face like yours needs as much character lent to it as possible, and you believe that, then leave it on!
Your call. Good luck whatever!
£6.
If anyone on this board with a silly beard attempts to tell you he is a pilot, ignore him. If he has some idiot nickname based on unwell sea-creatures, pay him even less attention! Redsnail will back me up on this, no?
In all seriousness, have passed at least one of the "major airline interview-experiences" sporting a beard of the "artistic" variety. (EK ) However, the original sponsorship part was done without......(BA) though the rather belligerent and unannounced re-employment interview (again BA after the Gulf War) was with.
Do whatever you feel comfortable with. In other words, if it bothers you enough to post here, perhaps you'd be better to shave. If your girlfriend thinks a face like yours needs as much character lent to it as possible, and you believe that, then leave it on!
Your call. Good luck whatever!
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I have to agree with JT8 on this one.
Get rid of it, the interviewer wants to imagine you on the flight deck, not a snow board! Alas a sad fact.
Best policy is to return from a holiday with the re-growth then the old lags don't just think you're not bothering to shave.
Get rid of it, the interviewer wants to imagine you on the flight deck, not a snow board! Alas a sad fact.
Best policy is to return from a holiday with the re-growth then the old lags don't just think you're not bothering to shave.
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Unfair stereotyping but never underestimate its influence on decision-makers.
Not shaving facial hair = arty, dirty, rebel, Taleban or other trouble.
Moustache= gay, poser, Tyrolean, ?
Shaved head hair= possible yob.
With baseball cap= probable yob.
With shaved head and reversed baseball cap= definite yob.
Any other stereotypes?
Not shaving facial hair = arty, dirty, rebel, Taleban or other trouble.
Moustache= gay, poser, Tyrolean, ?
Shaved head hair= possible yob.
With baseball cap= probable yob.
With shaved head and reversed baseball cap= definite yob.
Any other stereotypes?
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Sick squid,
Ah yeah, I met this dodgy geezer with a goatie. Tried to tell me he was a BA captain. Yeah right! Reckons he's got the scars to prove it. He was menacing a few pints and murdering some song on the piano in some bar at a small gathering of "fair dinkum" pilots. None of them had goaties.
Ah yeah, I met this dodgy geezer with a goatie. Tried to tell me he was a BA captain. Yeah right! Reckons he's got the scars to prove it. He was menacing a few pints and murdering some song on the piano in some bar at a small gathering of "fair dinkum" pilots. None of them had goaties.
Freq wild, I have a beard and have worked and therefore passed 3 interviews with airlines, Apart from the fact i am an FE the interviews were with the company CP's. As long as its neat and tidy I see no problem. I also arrived at my first airline interview on a motorbike and got changed in the toilet!!!!! That was also no problem when they asked about it.
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Heard a story once that a certain flag-carrier (clue - their a/c are Green!) didn't mind if their employees had beards but employees weren't allowed to grow them (i.e go through the stubbly phase) while with the company.
Theoretically you could grow a beard while on holidays then come back & Bob's yer uncle...
Theoretically you could grow a beard while on holidays then come back & Bob's yer uncle...
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Good grief, are you all seriously suggesting that someone is going to be materially prejudiced at interview simply because they have a goatee? Even the Navy allows beards, ferchrissakes, and I had a goatee when I got my job in the City (still have, in fact).
So long as you are dressed appropriately, are able to string more than a couple of syllables together and don't dribble on the carpet a little bit of (neatly trimmed) facial hair should not be a cause for either complaint or worry.
So long as you are dressed appropriately, are able to string more than a couple of syllables together and don't dribble on the carpet a little bit of (neatly trimmed) facial hair should not be a cause for either complaint or worry.
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Yes the Navy allow beards - but only proper ones, not goatees. However, moustaches are strictly verboten in the Senior Service - so where is the logic?
I would suggest that you get rid of it when you go for interview then grow it back once you get the job (although they may complain!). Sure, it is probably unfair prejudice but as Bill Gates once said "life isn't fair - get used to it!".
It is also worth noting that goatee beards (or those that just encircle the mouth) have the unfortunate effect of making you mouth look like female gentitalia- Just a thought!
I would suggest that you get rid of it when you go for interview then grow it back once you get the job (although they may complain!). Sure, it is probably unfair prejudice but as Bill Gates once said "life isn't fair - get used to it!".
It is also worth noting that goatee beards (or those that just encircle the mouth) have the unfortunate effect of making you mouth look like female gentitalia- Just a thought!
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Moggie,
Clearly been spending to much time with the wrong sort of woman. Where I come from, the women have no "beard" problems and all us guys have luxurious 'taches to put Magnum PI to shame.
Keep the muff tickler dude - you might get an interview board who appreciate it!
Clearly been spending to much time with the wrong sort of woman. Where I come from, the women have no "beard" problems and all us guys have luxurious 'taches to put Magnum PI to shame.
Keep the muff tickler dude - you might get an interview board who appreciate it!
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In another industry I have interviewed hundreds of candidates, so here are some facts:
1.You won't be ruled out for not having a beard.
2.You might be ruled out for having a beard.
3.In the present climate you won't be the only candidate being interviewed for the job.
4.Interviews are not easy to get at present, so you need to maximise your chances of success by every means possible. I am assuming you are serious about wanting the job.
5.Interviews are not always fair, logical, or even successful (you sometimes still pick someone who subsequently fails to live up to expectations) but I'm afraid you had better get used to it because life isn't always fair.
6.The more candidates you have to choose from, the more likely you are to reject someone for what might be considered a trivial reason.
7.In most companies and jobs, the ability to "fit-in" with the existing staff is a VERY important selection criteria. You will maximise your chances of success by looking at interview as if you are already one of the team. Anything that marks you out as different from the existing staff is a negative.
8.I have sat on interview panels where people have been rejected for far more trivial reasons than a beard. I can't honestly remember if any of our candidates were rejected solely for having a beard but I do recall it being held as a negative factor against more than one candidate.
Good Luck with the interview.
1.You won't be ruled out for not having a beard.
2.You might be ruled out for having a beard.
3.In the present climate you won't be the only candidate being interviewed for the job.
4.Interviews are not easy to get at present, so you need to maximise your chances of success by every means possible. I am assuming you are serious about wanting the job.
5.Interviews are not always fair, logical, or even successful (you sometimes still pick someone who subsequently fails to live up to expectations) but I'm afraid you had better get used to it because life isn't always fair.
6.The more candidates you have to choose from, the more likely you are to reject someone for what might be considered a trivial reason.
7.In most companies and jobs, the ability to "fit-in" with the existing staff is a VERY important selection criteria. You will maximise your chances of success by looking at interview as if you are already one of the team. Anything that marks you out as different from the existing staff is a negative.
8.I have sat on interview panels where people have been rejected for far more trivial reasons than a beard. I can't honestly remember if any of our candidates were rejected solely for having a beard but I do recall it being held as a negative factor against more than one candidate.
Good Luck with the interview.