Tattoos and the Airlines.....
 

Hi everyone,

I'm just about to start my training, but I have a question;

What is the airlines views on tattoos? Would it hinder me getting a job,especially now as i'm nearly 32 and only now starting training....:eek:

I have a small letter E behind my ear, a my kids names on my forearms, and the rest are hidden!!! The visible ones really are quite tasteful, not exactly full sleeves...!!

Many thanks, as you can understand is it worth me spending out on my training if there is no way i'll get a jod because of my ink?!!

Cheers guys,

rockrats. :ok:

Good morning rockrats!

First of all, I should warn you, there will undoubtedly be a few replies to this thread telling you anything from you haven't got a hope in hell, to chaps merely stating their distaste at your personal preferences. All are opinions, and all are equally valid.

That out the way, this is a very mixed argument - to cut straight to the chase, I am a first officer with a particular low cost Irish airline based out of Stansted, and half my back sports a very trendy looking Chinese dragon. Whether I regret that (which I don't) or whether it will look as 'trendy' when I'm stood in the shower aged 80 (which it probably won't) is not the issue here. Tattoos in themselves do not hinder you whatsoever in achieving a Class 1 medical, and so they shouldn't. The reason I mention this, is that some airlines perform their own medicals on you as their medical requirements are slightly more stringent or particular than the JAA Class 1. Whether the tattoo is on your back, the sole of your foot (ouch!) or your forehead, they may or may not accept you on this basis alone, I couldn't possibly comment. A prime example is British Airways who perform their own medicals on air crew.

However, my tattoo is obviously not visible when wearing a suit (as I did for my interview at East Midlands) or when in uniform, and it wasn't a problem because my airline don't conduct their own medical - so long as you hold the Class 1, that's not a problem.

Of course had I shown up to the interview and they saw the edge of a tattoo, for the sake of argument, on my wrist, they may have brought it up, or they may have said nothing and sent me the polite 'no thank you' letter a few days later, I honestly don't know.

As a summary, my opinion is this may prevent you from flying for CERTAIN airlines, but there are many (if not the majority) that don't have their own internal medicals (discounting random drugs testing), and so long as you are a professional individual, and when you turn up to that interview, or are at work, that tattoo is hidden from sight, I shouldn't think there would be a problem. Also remember that we mustn't consider only the itty gritty legal stipulations here, but professionalism, and I always wear a plain white T-shirt underneath my work shirt to make absolutely sure it is invisible to the eye.

The tattoo behind your ear, whatever sentimental value it may have for you, I would consider having that removed by laser surgery, as I have never seen nor know of an airline pilot with a tattoo anywhere on their neck or head.

Regarding the ones on your forearms - if I were in your position and made it to an airline, I would have all long sleeve shirts - that way, you can keep them down when you're interacting or within sight of passengers/airport staff etc, then simply roll them up if you wish on the flight deck. I have flown with a couple of captains in the past who have done this, no problem.

You seem like a decent chap, the best of luck to you :ok:

Ad.

p.s. in case you haven't heard, the economy's bad at the minute. Try to spread out your training over a couple of years or so at least if you can!

We have a tattooed person working for us. I have heard it being spoken about in the crew rooms but I think the individual is aware of this and always wears long sleeved shirts (don't know if it is his choice or the companies insistance :ooh:)!

Ooooh gotta watch out for those tattooed folk! :p

Many thanks Reluctant737. I also have a large back piece, I am currently a High Speed Train driver, and also wear the white tshirt under my uniform..!

My company are also quite strict regarding tattoos, but nowhere near as the airlines.

I feel tattoos willalways be a love/hate affair, and people should never judge someones ability of suceeding.......but, rules are rules.

I appreciate your opinion on my ear tattoo, and laser removal is something i have been looking into already.....ouch!! ;)

They can be quite handy as they can be used to identify you should the worst happen:eek:

At least that's what my AME told me when he asked if I had any.

I've heard it's about ten times worse than having it done :E Ah well, there's a price for everything I guess!

"What did your training cost you?" "Umm, well £35k, and it wasn't half a pain in the neck!" Sorry, I'll grab my things...

I know a Captain with full sleeves, a covered back and front. Don't worry about it!

What about long hair :confused:

tread already exists somewhere. however, i do also know of one pilot with a tattoo on his upper arm.

Oh please
 

How? Tattoos aren't tasteful. They're disgraceful. Well not generally but airline pilots are professional and smart. Tattoos aren't.

See above.

L Met

I don't see the problem with a tattoo that is not visible in a working uniform. One with bodily tattoos or even sleeves could maintain a professional appearance whilst wearing a longsleeved uniform.

Tattoo's aren't all distasteful londonmet, some can have a very emotional message to the bearer.

Rockrats, I'm afraid if your ink looks anything like this, you have no hope..

http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/arc...f9fdebf4b8.jpg

"Oh Please..."
 

:rolleyes:

Londonmet I feel your comment was a little uncalled for? As future.boeing.cpt quite rightly said they can - and mine do - have a very emtional meaning. I agree that some are a little OTT like the full face one for example, but to say ALL tattoos are disgraceful is a little unfair?

What gives you the right to judge somebody because they have a tattoo?

The thread is asking for advice as to weather the airlines take HIDDEN ink into consideration, not for your opinion on the rights and wrongs of tattooing. This is not a tattoo forum.

You never know, one day our paths may cross and we may work together. I am not the sort of person to ram my ink in peoples faces, but should our paths cross, i would expect you to treat me as you would any other pilot? Like a professional, not some walking freak show in a pilots uniform.

Anyway - How does having a tattoo make me a lesser pilot?

Sadly, and i was warned, this thread has attracted some mixed views, and i apologise for any one if i have offended them - londonmet in particular. It is a pity that some people aren't as open minded as the majority and realise that some of the nicest people in the world have some ink somewhere that you may not know about because you cant see it. That doesn't make them a disgrace. londonmet is making me out to be some big hairy @ss'd hells angel type fella with 'love' and 'hate' on my knuckles!!!!!!! ;):D:D:D:D;)

Anyway, thanks thus far for your views, keep em coning!!

The "disgraceful" tattoo'd guy. Lol!!....;)

Pedalz' idea of sending anonymous emails to a few possible future employers seems like a decent thing to do.

Agreeing again with rockrats, how does the addition of a tattoo to somebody's arm defect the way in which they fly? If you didn't know, then what difference does it make?
I think also, at the age of 31, rockrats doesn't seem to be the type of guy who will hastily go out and get inked up all over just for the sake of it. As he states, his tattoos mean a lot to him, and I see, in no way, how a hidden and personal memorandum of his family/children is 'disgraceful'. Maybe ten years ago, but society has advanced slightly since then. Many highly, highly successful people, in a variety of excelling 'professional' jobs will in no doubt have the same type of thing.

No need for the personal attack.

londonmet, :ugh: the only thing that is disgraceful is your attitude....I have tattoos as do many of my colleagues, including the FCTM. Ink never stopped anyone driving a plane. Get a life...
With regards the "hair" comment, I presume you dont have any?:D

Chaps,

By no means a personal attack. Just an observation. The majority of people in the UK don't have a tattoo. People don't have a tattoo for the reason they don't like them. Ergo the majority of people don't like tattoos. Why? Well there are obviously quite a few reasons why.
Tattoos in the any form aren't really "smart" are they? I couldn't give a toss if it has an emotional meaning? The fact is if a passenger (whom didn't like) tattoos saw it they wouldn't give a toss either.
Just look at all the tattooed vest wearing yobs abroad. They're very smart aren't they?

L Met

The majority of policemen I know have tattoo's. They aren't frowned upon and they also hold a very high status amongst civilians.

Don't be so old fashioned. Tattoos are acceptable in many professional careers, and if it's hidden, then how is a passenger going to see anyway? Nobody needs to know. As rockrats said, he doesn't go shoving his arm in front of every second person saying "look at this", it's personal, no need for a show to anyone, no passengers would ever know.

However, if rockrats happened to be a 'tattoo wearing yob', then maybe that would be the case for calling his tattoos disgraceful. However, they appear not to be.

Yes and no. LOL. A whole different discussion point I feel.

Yes, if they're hidden then what's the problem. I'm talking about ones people can see. That's completely different. Bit like earings on gents too.

Tattoo
 

Hello guys,

I am cabin crew, and I´ve seen loads of CPT and FO with tattoos, but they are not visible in uniform!

About ur ear tattoo u can use a DERMABLEND its make up to hide tattoos, thats what my collegues use.

TugaFly, I bet you have!

And londonmet - I fear I may fall into one of your deluded catagories :( In the Summer I happily stroll around in a tank top which does allow Joe Public a fantastic view of parts of the enormous dragon on my back! I wear a baseball cap also and torn jeans... I guess you would refer to me as a tattooed yobbo!

And then the next day I hop in a 737 again with some other chap :ok: