While I know tattoos are a heated subject. I am seeking some honest advice. I have two tattoos on my left arm. One of the tattoos is on my wrist but can be covered by wearing a watch and the other tattoo on my left arm is on the inside of my bicep. Which can be covered with a long enough short sleeve t shirt. The tattoos can both be covered with appropriate clothing. If I possibly applied for a job at an airline, will these tattoos disqualify me from getting a job at an airline even if I can cover them with a short sleeve shirt and a watch?
Pilots and Tattoos
- Thread starter wjkelsie
- Start date
SeanD
Well-Known Member
Youll be fine. There are airline guys with entire sleeve tattoos that wear the dreaded long sleeve pilot shirt without issue. The only downside is gonna be the long sleeve shirt in summer. As long as you dont get the short sleeve shirts tailored, they will likely cover up the one on your inside upper arm.
etflies
Keeping calm, Chiving on.
You'll be fine, if the uniform covers them up then hakuna matata. I've flown with a number of guys who had tattoos that were covered in short sleeves and they never heard a word about it.
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
As was said, as long as they aren't visible to the passengers (and won't be seen during the interview) you'll be fine.
That said, at my last gig, the chief pilot had a pretty big anchor tattoo on his lower arm and he always wore short sleeves. That was at a medium sized 121 Regional, so who knows.
That said, at my last gig, the chief pilot had a pretty big anchor tattoo on his lower arm and he always wore short sleeves. That was at a medium sized 121 Regional, so who knows.
Dan208B
Well-Known Member
Somewhat unrelated I suppose but just of interest, I've been told that tattoos are a pretty big no-no in new zealand professionally. I don't know whether it has continued but on the first few months of operations to Auckland, Hawaiian wouldn't allow flight attendants with visible tattoos to work those flights. I think the thought process was showing respect for their cultural differences.
jwp_145
GhostRider in the Sky
ya, screw their indigenous people who all have them on the face!
Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
Maybe they view non Maori people with tats as being offensive to the indigenous peoples culture?
FWIW, at Delta you can have tats. All the FOM says is that they have to be covered up or not visible while in uniform.
Soul Brotha'
Off to go do Black guy stuff
I've got several. Keep it covered and you'll be fine.
chrisreedrules
Master Blaster
Tattoos while still taboo to some, are generally more socially acceptable now than in past times. Keep em covered and be prepared to suffer in the summer. That being said, I've never seen having tattoos as being a challenge in the work environment... It's always the outside of work social functions like, "Why is Bill wearing a long sleeve shirt and pants to the company pool party?" or what have you.
Tld
Waffles Brah.
Just keep them covered. There is at least one captain I've flown with (large regional airline) who is sleeved (and several others with forearm ink.) Summers seem more challenging but in the winter, coat on in public, short sleeves and good artwork in the cockpit. I've also seen people cover them with a slip on type athletic wrap.
desertdog71
Girthy Member
Only after my Abs of Steel set of the metal detectors.
Cherokee_Cruiser
Bronteroc
Can't help but notice most of these posts above start off with "a pilot (at a medium / large regional) has...."
I wonder at what point in a person's life they start regretting that full arm tattoo. Sounds like a good idea in your teens and 20s, but......
I wonder at what point in a person's life they start regretting that full arm tattoo. Sounds like a good idea in your teens and 20s, but......
How about?
What happens when you two break up?
tonyw
Well-Known Member
Get used to them. Around 40 percent of millennials have ink. They're not some young kids fresh out of college anymore, either. The oldest ones are in their early 30s.
Would I hire someone with ink? Yeah. But it would have to be tasteful.
SeanD
Well-Known Member
Many do. Tattoo removal has become a pretty lucrative business. Im ok with mine and gave it a lot of thought before getting it. I also waited until I finished college. If it was crappy work, Id probably regret it. It took me months to find the right artist. I wanted someone who was good at a particular style. I always encourage people getting large pieces to spend some time looking for the right artist for the job.
I don't know...
I'm in my mid 30's and am going to get a sleeve done in the fall.
Granted, I've wanted the sleeve done for over a decade - I just had to wait until a point in my life where I could afford to have it done very, very well.
I don't know your career ambitions, but if you're looking at one of the top tier 121's, I would heavily suggest against this.
It's one thing to already have one, but it's something else to go out and get one.
ComplexHiAv8r
Well-Known Member
Aren't you getting more ink? Complete sleeve?SeanD said: