Watching Miami Ink today, and I got to thinking (which is a very rare thing indeed) about the tattoos that I want to get. Do you think having a tattoo would affect the likelihood of getting hired at a company like Cathay (or anywhere else for that matter)? Would a low visibility spot (back or shoulder) make a difference?
Thoughts, opinions, comments, or insults would be appreciated. Okay, maybe not the insults.
tattoos and getting hired
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
tattoos and getting hired
ever notice how there are no car chase scenes in books?
Get a Cathay logo tattooed on your forehead.
"FLY THE AIRPLANE"!
http://www.youtube.com/hazatude
http://www.youtube.com/hazatude
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heropsychodreamer
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As long as the tattos are not visible while wearing a uniform you should be ok, but many airlines require exteme medical tests done so you will be required to be tested for Hep C. Don't just go to any tom dick or harry tatoo parlor, spend the extra to get a good tatoo'ist. They have to unwrappe the needles in front of you. They should never do anything out of your sight including mirrors on the ceiling.
Start small! Test your body's ability to handle it. Then progress.
I don't have a tatoo, but a family member has filled me in on the basics.
Another point...It's Your Life...Your feeling. Images only, no names.
think, what do I want on my body to say?
Start small! Test your body's ability to handle it. Then progress.
I don't have a tatoo, but a family member has filled me in on the basics.
Another point...It's Your Life...Your feeling. Images only, no names.
think, what do I want on my body to say?
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niss
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I always wanted a raven coming in with its wings spread as if it was picking up prey and in its claws a propellor, I also wanted if I ever became a bush pilot a beaver dressed up in 1930s flight gear leaning against a wall and in a classy font "Bush Pilots Go Straight For The Beaver" my girlfriend actually a cartoon of that that I made on my DQ birthday cake!......That beaver tasted awesome!
She’s built like a Steakhouse, but she handles like a Bistro.
Let's kick the tires, and light the fires.... SHIT! FIRE! EMERGENCY CHECKLIST!
Let's kick the tires, and light the fires.... SHIT! FIRE! EMERGENCY CHECKLIST!
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Boeing Driver
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As tattooed white trash, I have several recommendations...
1.) Don't get a small tattoo - you'll just wind up expanding on it
2.) Follow the "T-Shirt" rule - if you can cover it up with a T Shirt, you're good to go.
3.) Spend a whack of time picking your artist and listen to their advice. There's way too many hacks out there whose shoddy work you'll just wind up covering.
4.) Numbing cream is for pussies.
OH - and realize that you WILL be judged by people who see your tattoos. Most are really good, but some will automatically think you're a loser for getting some ink. So if you're going to get something, make sure you're willing to deal with those types of individuals who do get the chance to see your work and think that it makes you a criminal.
I've never had a problem work-wise, and I've now worked for 703, 704 and now an airline.
1.) Don't get a small tattoo - you'll just wind up expanding on it
2.) Follow the "T-Shirt" rule - if you can cover it up with a T Shirt, you're good to go.
3.) Spend a whack of time picking your artist and listen to their advice. There's way too many hacks out there whose shoddy work you'll just wind up covering.
4.) Numbing cream is for pussies.
OH - and realize that you WILL be judged by people who see your tattoos. Most are really good, but some will automatically think you're a loser for getting some ink. So if you're going to get something, make sure you're willing to deal with those types of individuals who do get the chance to see your work and think that it makes you a criminal.
I've never had a problem work-wise, and I've now worked for 703, 704 and now an airline.
Why don't you go to your closet, pick out your most favorite shirt, then go down to the store and buy a whole bunch just like it and wear it for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Sounds pretty dopey huh? Well, how is a tatoo any different? It's essentially one picture(s) you put on for the rest of your life. And who's tastes remain the same throughout their life?
But, it is your life - do what you please I guess.
Sounds pretty dopey huh? Well, how is a tatoo any different? It's essentially one picture(s) you put on for the rest of your life. And who's tastes remain the same throughout their life?
But, it is your life - do what you please I guess.
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av8tor_assrope
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The art on my body has nothing to do with my ability (or lack thereof) to fly an airplane safely from point A to point B.
I got tattoos cause bare skin started to bore me, and 'cause I wanted some art there. I chose locations where I wouldn't see them every day, and that helps keep them fresh and interesting to me. I chose images that were meaningful to me, I got one of the finest tattoo artists in the country to do them all, and I haven't regretted them one bit.
I'm 35 now, and I got my first tattoo on my 19th birthday. I'm thinking of getting one more, a "necklace" tattoo just below my collarbones that would be covered by a pilot shirt, just like the rest of my tattoos.
I got tattoos cause bare skin started to bore me, and 'cause I wanted some art there. I chose locations where I wouldn't see them every day, and that helps keep them fresh and interesting to me. I chose images that were meaningful to me, I got one of the finest tattoo artists in the country to do them all, and I haven't regretted them one bit.
I'm 35 now, and I got my first tattoo on my 19th birthday. I'm thinking of getting one more, a "necklace" tattoo just below my collarbones that would be covered by a pilot shirt, just like the rest of my tattoos.
5x5 wrote:Why don't you go to your closet, pick out your most favorite shirt, then go down to the store and buy a whole bunch just like it and wear it for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Sounds pretty dopey huh? Well, how is a tatoo any different? It's essentially one picture(s) you put on for the rest of your life. And who's tastes remain the same throughout their life?
But, it is your life - do what you please I guess.
Strangely enough, I was looking for the answer to a different flying related question on the internet, and I came across some Aviation expert's Q & A site that had a whole bunch of common questions. Your very question was one of them, and this is how it went:
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Will a Tattoo Hurt My Piloting Career?
Dear Rod: I am a junior at a major aviation university, and plan on pursuing flying as a career. My question is, will a tattoo hurt you in any way in trying to get a job with the airlines? If one does not have a tattoo but is looking to get one in a hidden location would you advise against that? Thanks a lot for the help. --Mr. Simpson
Greetings Mr. Simpson: When I was 15 years old I remember asking my dad if I could get a tattoo. He said, "Sure you can have a tattoo. Just give me one good reason why you need one." Well, that put the parking brake on the ink tip. Every reason I could come up with sounded absolutely ridiculous. The best I could do was say that our neighbor, who had a ship tattooed on his chest when he was a young sailor, looked cool. Unfortunately, after decades of consuming cheeseburgers, the ship's keel looked a lot longer that it once did.
No, don't even think about doing something so foolish if you're considering an airline job. A tattoo never gives you the chance to change your mind. Airlines are operated by conservative people. If they hear about a tattoo from the company physician, they'll probably ask why you got one. Will you say [because I was watching Miami Ink one day, and I got to thinkin...]? That will go over like a safecracker at a banker's convention.
In aviation, a tattoo gives you absolutely no advantage over someone without a tattoo. It only gives you a chance to regret a choice you made in your youth. If you're the type of person who insists on getting tattooed, at least wait until you're hired by the airline of your choice and you're off probation. Then, go all out. Have every emergency checklist permanently inked onto the various parts of your body. One day, be prepared for a captain to say, "Simpson, we’ve got an emergency. Quick, get into your Speedo." --Rod
Shankdown
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Will a Tattoo Hurt My Piloting Career?
Dear Rod: I am a junior at a major aviation university, and plan on pursuing flying as a career. My question is, will a tattoo hurt you in any way in trying to get a job with the airlines? If one does not have a tattoo but is looking to get one in a hidden location would you advise against that? Thanks a lot for the help. --Mr. Simpson
Greetings Mr. Simpson: When I was 15 years old I remember asking my dad if I could get a tattoo. He said, "Sure you can have a tattoo. Just give me one good reason why you need one." Well, that put the parking brake on the ink tip. Every reason I could come up with sounded absolutely ridiculous. The best I could do was say that our neighbor, who had a ship tattooed on his chest when he was a young sailor, looked cool. Unfortunately, after decades of consuming cheeseburgers, the ship's keel looked a lot longer that it once did.
No, don't even think about doing something so foolish if you're considering an airline job. A tattoo never gives you the chance to change your mind. Airlines are operated by conservative people. If they hear about a tattoo from the company physician, they'll probably ask why you got one. Will you say [because I was watching Miami Ink one day, and I got to thinkin...]? That will go over like a safecracker at a banker's convention.
In aviation, a tattoo gives you absolutely no advantage over someone without a tattoo. It only gives you a chance to regret a choice you made in your youth. If you're the type of person who insists on getting tattooed, at least wait until you're hired by the airline of your choice and you're off probation. Then, go all out. Have every emergency checklist permanently inked onto the various parts of your body. One day, be prepared for a captain to say, "Simpson, we’ve got an emergency. Quick, get into your Speedo." --Rod
Shankdown
Why?
Used to be , people would get a tattoo to show everyone how cool/bad they are. I've always thought of it as some sort of bid for attention. It never ceases to amaze me how many of our flight attendants have those things smeared all over their bodies. It's probably just me but whan I see someone with tats my opinion of them ratchets down. Thing is , it is so common now that it is actually refreshing to see an F/A that DOES'NT have one. You have to wonder how that thing scrawled across their backside is going to look when they are 50. The whole tattoo/piercing trend seems to be a fashion/fad thing. Fads always fade.
There are a lot of conservative people in this business. Unless you really feel the need , I'd pass on that idea or at least wait until you have the dream job.
Used to be , people would get a tattoo to show everyone how cool/bad they are. I've always thought of it as some sort of bid for attention. It never ceases to amaze me how many of our flight attendants have those things smeared all over their bodies. It's probably just me but whan I see someone with tats my opinion of them ratchets down. Thing is , it is so common now that it is actually refreshing to see an F/A that DOES'NT have one. You have to wonder how that thing scrawled across their backside is going to look when they are 50. The whole tattoo/piercing trend seems to be a fashion/fad thing. Fads always fade.
There are a lot of conservative people in this business. Unless you really feel the need , I'd pass on that idea or at least wait until you have the dream job.
6 years and counting. Hasn't become a regret yet... then again - I guess it depends on what sort of tattoo you get - getting a phrase, religious symbol, or something you may change your mind about may not be a good idea.5x5 wrote:Why don't you go to your closet, pick out your most favorite shirt, then go down to the store and buy a whole bunch just like it and wear it for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Sounds pretty dopey huh? Well, how is a tatoo any different? It's essentially one picture(s) you put on for the rest of your life. And who's tastes remain the same throughout their life?
But, it is your life - do what you please I guess.
As for a company physician talking about your tattoo - isn't it illegal to talk about anything you don't want them to talk about? Especially a tattoo considering it wouldn't by any means affect your ability to safely fly a plane as Sulako stated above...
Anybody considering a tatoo should
1) look at a 70 year old woman with a 50 year old tatoo, and
2) talk to someone who has contracted hep/hiv from a dirty tatoo needle
Tattoos are like body piercings in the 90's. People wanna be trendy, or pretend they're a "bad boy", like some lifer prison convict covered with tatoos.
Sorta like the boomers that dress up in elaborate black leather outfits with chains and ride Harleys. I find it puzzling that dentists want to pretend they're outlaw gangsters (with costumes and transportation provided at exhorbitant markups by Corporate America) on the weekends, but oh well.
1) look at a 70 year old woman with a 50 year old tatoo, and
2) talk to someone who has contracted hep/hiv from a dirty tatoo needle
Tattoos are like body piercings in the 90's. People wanna be trendy, or pretend they're a "bad boy", like some lifer prison convict covered with tatoos.
Sorta like the boomers that dress up in elaborate black leather outfits with chains and ride Harleys. I find it puzzling that dentists want to pretend they're outlaw gangsters (with costumes and transportation provided at exhorbitant markups by Corporate America) on the weekends, but oh well.
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Sparkfarmer
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complexintentions
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Good discussion on the merits of getting a tattoo or not.
For the purposes of the original question....lots of people have ink that isn't visible to the public. That's fine. Lot's of pilots have them. Not a lot of us have visible tattoos. I do. My arm is exposed to view by anyone who cares to look....and that includes the guys who interviewed me at Air Canada.
They may not have liked it but at least they looked past it. I can only speak to thier credit on this one... I wouldn't expect to be so well treated in Asia or anywhere else for that matter.
Of course having body art of any kind will be objectionable to a percentage of the flying public. Whatever.
It goes to the same old crap that keeps granny happy in her rocker. She expects a pilot to look a certain way. Short hair, clean cut, Freddy Mercury homosexual mustache, white shirt, ridiculous hat, etc.....
The original question had to do with wether or not a tattoo would negatively affect one's career in aviation. Easy answer....yes if it's visible. Someday someone won't like it. Again, whatever. Some people are more socially aware than others. Some people still want the lead singer of Queen flying them around.
My 2 cents.....Air Canada looked at me as a pilot not a canvass.
Cheers,
Gumbo
For the purposes of the original question....lots of people have ink that isn't visible to the public. That's fine. Lot's of pilots have them. Not a lot of us have visible tattoos. I do. My arm is exposed to view by anyone who cares to look....and that includes the guys who interviewed me at Air Canada.
They may not have liked it but at least they looked past it. I can only speak to thier credit on this one... I wouldn't expect to be so well treated in Asia or anywhere else for that matter.
Of course having body art of any kind will be objectionable to a percentage of the flying public. Whatever.
It goes to the same old crap that keeps granny happy in her rocker. She expects a pilot to look a certain way. Short hair, clean cut, Freddy Mercury homosexual mustache, white shirt, ridiculous hat, etc.....
The original question had to do with wether or not a tattoo would negatively affect one's career in aviation. Easy answer....yes if it's visible. Someday someone won't like it. Again, whatever. Some people are more socially aware than others. Some people still want the lead singer of Queen flying them around.
My 2 cents.....Air Canada looked at me as a pilot not a canvass.
Cheers,
Gumbo
I re-read my original post, and I guess I strayed from the original question (along with everyone else).
My answer would be:
If a tattoo is visible in a short-sleeved uniform, you're going to get judged, and you may get denied.
If it isn't visible, you should have no problems. And as far as why to get one, just make sure it's NOT because you watch a bunch of TLC. OH - an interesting development on the tattoo front - new inks are in development that will completely erase with one pulse of a low-intensity laser, as well as inks that will fade to nothing over the course of a couple of years...for anyone who wants to temporarily dabble in body art without the commitment. Sorry, I read about it on CNN and have lost the link.
What next guys? Wanna debate circumcision
My answer would be:
If a tattoo is visible in a short-sleeved uniform, you're going to get judged, and you may get denied.
If it isn't visible, you should have no problems. And as far as why to get one, just make sure it's NOT because you watch a bunch of TLC. OH - an interesting development on the tattoo front - new inks are in development that will completely erase with one pulse of a low-intensity laser, as well as inks that will fade to nothing over the course of a couple of years...for anyone who wants to temporarily dabble in body art without the commitment. Sorry, I read about it on CNN and have lost the link.
What next guys? Wanna debate circumcision
great advice everyone, somethings to think about for sure.
maybe i should have clarified, i have been contemplating the tattoo thing for a long time (at least since my teens) and now am in my mid-twenties, still thinking about it. what held me back was in fact the career considerations. i just never bothered to ask anybody about it before. it didn't occur to me to ask on avcanada until i was watching miami ink (yes it is on tlc - shut-up
).
as for the susanne thing - i'll take it into consideration. i think a cheifs logo right across my chest would be even better
"i am listening to the f-ing song!"
maybe i should have clarified, i have been contemplating the tattoo thing for a long time (at least since my teens) and now am in my mid-twenties, still thinking about it. what held me back was in fact the career considerations. i just never bothered to ask anybody about it before. it didn't occur to me to ask on avcanada until i was watching miami ink (yes it is on tlc - shut-up
). as for the susanne thing - i'll take it into consideration. i think a cheifs logo right across my chest would be even better
"i am listening to the f-ing song!"
ever notice how there are no car chase scenes in books?
Tattos and airlines...
I have 2 tattoes on my legs and I am flying for a major. I always considered professional looks and esthetics as a part of the pilot image. But , a friend of mine, is currently flying an embraer jet at ac withe a nice armband on his forarm! Hey, I thought, AC was setting the standards for canadian aviation! Here is my opinion: There are many places in the world, where tatooes are still taboo, and asia, is one of those places. Cheers!
I guess I'm in for more than 2 cents now.
Everyone can make their opinions about "tats"
Any airline that sticks with the old fashioned ideal is as bad as a racist or a sexist! Look at the person not their physicality.......
You wanna fly the sandbox or the amber skies....then cowtoe to their schemes......
My skin is my domain and my employer better respect that lest I love my job more than myself.
I know it's easy for me to say.....now
But in this industry, I'd advise all to stick by ones principles....they'll soon take everything else.....
Have great careers all....
Gumbo
Everyone can make their opinions about "tats"
Any airline that sticks with the old fashioned ideal is as bad as a racist or a sexist! Look at the person not their physicality.......
You wanna fly the sandbox or the amber skies....then cowtoe to their schemes......
My skin is my domain and my employer better respect that lest I love my job more than myself.
I know it's easy for me to say.....now
But in this industry, I'd advise all to stick by ones principles....they'll soon take everything else.....
Have great careers all....
Gumbo
I would suggest that they be "coverable". I have a friend who is a rampie at Sunwest, and he has full sleeves that he always keeps covered. I don't think he is actively pursuing a flying career, but even as a ground guy he has to keep them hidden to "keep with the company image". Sleeves are a little different than a typical armband or small piece of ink though.
