Tattoos and Piercings - Job Advice

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:29 pm

Okay, I have a little question.

Before I go to any interviews...

I know some retail companies don't really care - but what about places like float operations and flgiht schools.

I have 1 eyebrow ring - I want to know - is it wise to remove it before I attend any interveiws? or are companies (maybe not say air Canada or WestJet - smaller operations) okay with limited piercings or tattoos? Just curious. Any advice?

shack · Post by **shack** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:45 pm

If you want to be taken seriously (still debateable) take that rediculous thing from your head.

Out of Control · Post by **Out of Control** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:47 pm

Remove it, why take the chance. Once you get to know them you can put it back in.

trey kule · Post by **trey kule** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:47 pm

Only one experience . New pilot with an ear ring showed up on the dock.
Chief pilot looked up and said " only two type of men I know wear ear rings. Pirates and fags, and I dont see any ships on the lake.....he went to the end of the dock and came back without......great pilot. Would have been a shame to have lost him over an ear ring but that is the reality.

You are an individual, but you have to do what is appropriate for your customers. Ask yourself honestly. Your customers have no way to assess the flying ability of their pilot so they take a look. Who do you think they would rather fly with. Mr.(Ms) Clean cut, or Mr.(Ms) pierced? Remember, this is not from your presepective but your customers...that it what your employer is going to be concerned with, and given any doubt....well there are lots of good pilots out there

Redneck_pilot86 · Post by **Redneck_pilot86** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:48 pm

shack wrote:If you want to be taken seriously (still debateable) take that rediculous thing from your head.

Agreed, . it.

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:16 pm

Try to fit in at the company you're trying to join, before you even get hired. For example, if the pilots are clean cut and wear shirts and ties, show up in similar attire. If you're joining the Hell's Angels, then tatoos and piercings will probably be fine. In general, unless the CP has tatoos and piercings, I'd hide it until you get hired. My $0.02 for what it's worth.

spoiler · Post by **spoiler** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:25 pm

Take it out for an interview. Or leave it in if you dont' want the job I guess.
As long as no tats are visible it is no ones business.

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:36 pm

PM me a pic and I'll give you my opinion...

Chickaddd · Post by **Chickaddd** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:48 pm

Unfortunately we are judged by out appearances. Leave it out, save it for your days off, if you get any. good luck.

laticsdave · Post by **laticsdave** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:52 pm

Sad But True - most company's don't want bits of metal or artwork adorning their employees.
However, I work as a flight instructor, and have two small ear-rings in one ear (I'm a guy - not a fag or a pirate (garrr!!!!)) and my CFI doesn't mind them - keep yourself clean, both literally and figuratively, and they SHOULDN'T be a problem, but who knows???

wha happen · Post by **wha happen** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:57 pm

Simple, just take it out for work. After work...have at 'er

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:09 pm

Thanks for the advice

Honestly - it is hardly knoticable and even places that didnt hire people with piercings let me in anyway - my bangs usually cover it. Now I just have to figure out how to get the thing out - I tried once - wouldnt come out... challenges, challenges

wha happen · Post by **wha happen** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:14 pm

Go buy some bactene, ensure the ring is wet. Slowly strat to rotate it, it might take a while, but be persistent. Well it starts to move, you can remove it. Im assuming youve had it for a while and it is well healed so leaving it out for extended periods of time shoudnt be an issue.

Keelique · Post by **Keelique** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:28 pm

You already know the answer but don't know how others react. The basic attitude of most people I know (and they are not teenagers) is that someone with a tattoo or peircings seems to have severe emotional issues. Given the choice of your profession you should be aware of your chances now.

MVFR · Post by **MVFR** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:40 pm

my bangs usually cover it

hmm, if i were you i'd take it out for work and get a haircut too. just my opinion though...depends on where you're going

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:19 pm

Interesting how people assume I must be a shaggy dog and emotionally scared. LOL!

Anywho - no I dont need a hair cut because it is okay for girls to have long bangs that come down slightly to the sides.

On the emotional issue - I find that amusing. Most of the people I know have a piercing or tattoo. Thats just my generation. People at my school and work - which are both very professional places. Be it BCIT or the office I work in. I couldnt get my ears pierced because they react - so I got my eyebrow done so that I could have something nice. I think it extremly narrow minded to assume people with tattoos or piercings are emotionally cripled - infact Ive only ever met one person with that opinion. An old client of mine.

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:21 pm

SkyWolfe wrote:Most of the people I know have a piercing or tattoo. Thats just my generation.

Just remember - it isn't necessarilly your generation thats doing the hiring. Fair or not, thats just the way it is.

Guys - remove all piercings for work
Girls - remove any piercings other than 1 pair in your ears.
Tattoos - cover em up; at least until you settle in and get a feel for the place and your coworkers.

Just my 2 cents worth.... which happen to be borrowed / modified from the dress regulations of the forces - and a few police departments etc.

stef · Post by **stef** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:34 pm

Get rid of it for good. You're almost an adult now for god's sake. Start looking the part.

Three Holer · Post by **Three Holer** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:01 pm

I agree with stef. Been flying big aircraft in crew environments (airline) for a long time and I can not remember ever seeing a fellow crew member wearing any facial hardware. Just not the look that is expected of a professional pilot. If that's where you want your career to be, then lose the facial piercings.

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:10 pm

I think I get it - but you know what - having a little loop on my eyebrow doesnt stop me from being a well adjusted adult.

I do agree with the point about not being the same generation hiring - honestly - if soemone my age was doing the hiring that would a little scary

But I think I get the point about removing it - again - Im just gonna have to get the damn thing outta there. (its been 5 years)...

Pliers anyone?

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:45 am

I had dreadlocks before I started taking my flying seriously. Enrolled in CPL program, got a buzzcut that afternoon. Never looked back. Get a chuckle when I look at the photos now.

learcapt · Post by **learcapt** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:04 am

holy crap...im amazed that skywolfe would even ask a question like that. take the piercing out! what you do or wear away from your job is nobodys business, but for an interview or showing up to fly, use your head man.

gr8gazu · Post by **gr8gazu** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:17 am

Skywolfe is actually a female but I agree with the overall tone of the discussion.

Facial piercings are not within the accepted norms of the industry so hang a little red tag on it that says "remove before flight".

When you are at work, you represent the business that pays you and they have the right (within limits) to determine a dress code that suits the image they want to portray.

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:04 am

SkyWolfe wrote:having a little loop on my eyebrow doesnt stop me from being a well adjusted adult.

That's true! Like you said, it is very much a generational thing.

As for removing it, I know you were joking about the pliers... but the method wha happened suggested seemed reasonable. But rather than bactine, I might suggest something like polysporin. I know you've had it a long time - so infection shouldn't be an issue... but it should help it slide.

For everyone else - I think she got the message about 5 or so posts ago... no need to keep harping on it.

185_guy · Post by **185_guy** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:09 am

If you have too much metal in your head/face, maybe it'll throw your compass off, now wouldent that be embarrasing to get lost because the compass was out, and the TSB figures out it was from to many earrings!!

I'd even be careful with earrings....they could be hard on those gel-seals on the headset......