Tattoos and flying

[goleafsgo]

I'm not too sure if this is the right forum to post this in.

My plan is to become an airline pilot and currently have a CPL with multi-engine and float ratings and am working on my IFR. I'm thinking of getting a tattoo or 2 and am just wondering if this would affect an airline in Canada hiring me in the future. I obviously know not to get facial/neck tattoos, or on my hands and wrists, and I'm not looking to get full sleeves or anything. I'm thinking of getting one of my upper arm/bicep area and perhaps another one on the back of my leg/calf area.......thats about it-places that will be easily covered up by wearing long pants and a dress shirt.

Most of the fourms i have searched this topic on always ends up with people posting how stupid people must be to get tattoos in the first place, if you plan on posting that then PLEASE save your time and don't, as I am looking for serious answers about this.

[The Raven]

Even though a long sleeve shirt would hide a tattoo on your upper arm, I still wouldn't get one. In an interview you could tell a prospective employer that your intention is to only wear long sleeve shirts thus the tattoo will be covered. However once you are hired and on the line, what's to stop you from wearing short sleeve shirts and exposing the tattoo? It would be diffiicult then for the employer to fire you.

My wife used to be a flight attendant recruiter. She was interviewing a girl with exemplary qualifications but had a diamond stud in the side of her nose. My wife told the girl that piercings other than earrings were not allowed and the girl said, "Don't worry, when I'm working I won't wear it". My wife thought once the girl was hired she might start wearing it again and then it would be difficult to fire her. The end result was she never got the job.

Regarding your tattoos, I would play it safe. Get them anywhere but your face, neck and arms.

Having said all that, some employers may not be bothered by tattoos. I just think it narrows the field if you have one.

[teacher]

Just get them so that a short sleeved shirt will cover them. That's what I did and all is good.

[jeff_w_yeg]

I recommend this:

[North Shore]

Why not just wait until you have the job, and then get the ink. Flying is all about risk management - if you think that you might be risking your career goal by doing this, then why would you go ahead?

[WileyCoyote]

Wear long sleeves for the interview.

[Rockie]

Seems like everybody has a tattoo nowadays and as long as you wear a suit to your interview they probably won't even know you have one, and even if you tell them they likely won't care. Unless of course you have the word "death" etched across your forehead in which case you can expect your employment options to be somewhat limited.

[cgzro]

Its just another thing for people to use to judge you (usually negatively) by. So either don't do it, or make sure its well hidden.

[SuperchargedRS]

Or get the airline whos opinion you are worried about logo tattooed on your forehead. Nothing screams synergism, team-player and all that like a big Air Canadia logo on ones forehead!

[The Raven]

Wear long sleeves for the interview.

This might work. Of course the doctor that does your pre-employment medical will see it and might put it in his report that is sent to the hiring committee.

Bottom line is, there are lots of applicants for any airline flying job. If someone on the hiring committee doesn't like tattoos that may become visible while in uniform they will pass you by and go to the next applicant. Why take that chance?

[Sulako]

Nothin' wrong with tats, just make sure that a) they don't suck and b) they don't show when you are in uniform - aviation is a pretty conservative industry and widespread acceptance of tattoos is still a ways off. None of my tattoos show when I'm in uniform and thus my employer is completely indifferent (as they should be), but I don't work for an airline - if that's your goal then maybe you'll want to hold off on that full back-piece of a seal clubbing a baby, at least until you get hired by an airline

[Canadian Skyhawk]

Part of being a pilot is demonstrating that you possess strong risk assessment skills, good judgment and a high level of professionalism. Having a tattoo does none of that, and I would argue that it perhaps demonstrates the opposite. I will avoid the reasons for not getting one, which I trust you are well aware of . (By the way, one of the biggest new franchise concepts in North America now is tattoo removal parlours; Kind of says a lot!). By having to ask the question, you are answering it yourself.

My suggestion is why not just wait a few years? If five years from now you genuinely think that getting a tattoo is still the most wonderful idea under the sun and that you can't live without one, go ahead then. It's a lot easier to put on a tattoo than take one off - even with the new removal shops springing up!

[Dagwood]

I never understood why people spend their hard earned dollars on something as useless as a tattoo, then cover it up so no one sees it. Or they have it on their back where they themselves can't see it. It would be like getting an expensive, permanent manicure, then wearing gloves all the time "so no body sees or is offended".

But if that's what floats your boat, and turns your gears, more power to you.

[ahramin]

I never understood why people spend their hard earned dollars on something as useless as a tattoo, then cover it up so no one sees it. Or they have it on their back where they themselves can't see it. It would be like getting an expensive, permanent manicure, then wearing gloves all the time "so no body sees or is offended".

But if that's what floats your boat, and turns your gears, more power to you.

Come on Dagwood. Be a little more inclusive! Who wouldn't want to look as cool as this guy?

But can anyone here tell my why someone would want a tattoo of David Suzuki?

In any case Dagwood, try to be a little more compassionate. Maybe he needs to fit in at Wal-Mart.

[sarg]

I've had a tattoo for 20 years and haven't had it limit my job choices, on my upper arm completely hidden by a short sleeve flight shirt. Our policy at work is no visiable tattoos at work.

Even though a long sleeve shirt would hide a tattoo on your upper arm, I still wouldn't get one. In an interview you could tell a prospective employer that your intention is to only wear long sleeve shirts thus the tattoo will be covered. However once you are hired and on the line, what's to stop you from wearing short sleeve shirts and exposing the tattoo? It would be diffiicult then for the employer to fire you.

My wife used to be a flight attendant recruiter. She was interviewing a girl with exemplary qualifications but had a diamond stud in the side of her nose. My wife told the girl that piercings other than earrings were not allowed and the girl said, "Don't worry, when I'm working I won't wear it". My wife thought once the girl was hired she might start wearing it again and then it would be difficult to fire her. The end result was she never got the job.

Regarding your tattoos, I would play it safe. Get them anywhere but your face, neck and arms.

Having said all that, some employers may not be bothered by tattoos. I just think it narrows the field if you have one.

Firing someone for not following the dress code is not difficult espeacially if it was in place when they were hired. Discrimation can, if proven, can open the company to human rights law suits.

[tbaylx]

Seriously, if that tat is hidden when you are doing your interview and at work likely no one will ever know you have it. Most companies don't care one bit as long as you look the part while at work and on company business. I know of several pilots, myself included who have tatoo's and it has never been an issue in canada or working abroad for foreign carriers. If you want a tatoo go ahead and get it, it's not going to affect your employment chances if it's hidden while at work and during the interview.

[Bede]

Firing someone for not following the dress code is not difficult espeacially if it was in place when they were hired. Discrimation can, if proven, can open the company to human rights law suits.

You are incorrect. Human rights legislation only covers discrimination against identifiable groups such as religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. It is not a licence to wear/pierce/tattoo what ever you want. On the other hand, clothing/tattoo/piercing associated with a religious tradition, would probably be protected.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts ... 1.html#h-4

[genetic jack hammer]

I recommend this:

The sad part is, this guy will probably get onto mainline before any Jazz pilot.

[Inverted2]

I recommend this:

The sad part is, this guy will probably get onto mainline before any Jazz pilot.

For sure, I think I can see a copy of the "Maximum 60", "OAC" (in morse code), and "ACPA - Don't Push to Test" stickers on him there.

[Zy]

I have one on each upper arm and on the back of my neck. When I had an airline interview, I just made sure I dressed so none of them were showing. I got the job, during groundschool they were sometimes visible but noone cared. I would say as long as you can cover them when you need to, it's not a problem. And for those of you who came on here just to say how stupid tattoos are and what a waste of money they are, please just try to keep your mouths shut next time, i'm sure you spend your hard earned money on stuff that i wouldn't agree with, but guess what, it's your hard earned money so i do not care what you do with it. If you want a tattoo, go for it, as long as you're reasonable, it will have no impact on your career.

[goleafsgo]

And for those of you who came on here just to say how stupid tattoos are and what a waste of money they are, please just try to keep your mouths shut next time, i'm sure you spend your hard earned money on stuff that i wouldn't agree with, but guess what, it's your hard earned money so i do not care what you do with it.

Thanks for that, i'm pretty sure i wrote that in my first post that i didnt need peoples opinion on tattoos in general but i guess they didnt listen. I want to get one on the back of my leg and upper arm above my elbow so a short sleeve shirt should cover it

[2.5milefinal]

I can not think of a bigger waste of money and can only hope the fad will end soon. BUT by all means go waste your own money. I hope in 20 or so years you still think it was a good idea.

[Sulako]

@2.5milefinal: If tattooing is a fad, it's a 5,000 year old one.

I had all my tattoos done over a 2-year period. I had planned them for a while, and they had meaning to me. I still like them, and I'm glad I got them. The biggest one took 8 hours and cost me about a thousand bucks, which to me is a great investment for something that I still get pleasure from 20 years later.

[2.5milefinal]

Like I said. I hope the FAD ends soon. JMHO...so glad you still like your tats.
Carry on carrying on.
...dont get me started on the fad of body piercing

[Pugster]

Follow the "T shirt rule" and you shouldn't have any problems.

That being said, I have tattoos (from before I got into flying) and honestly after over 15 years of having them...I really could care less if they were there or not. I am very happy that they are not visible when I'm wearing a short sleeved uniform.

There's more important things in life to worry about than coloring up your skin with ink. Trust me on this one, in 10 years you probably won't regret the decision but you won't be "proud" of it either...you just won't care.

1 vote for spend your money on something else.