Will having tattoos on my arms hinder me from getting a professional piloting job?

Question

How important is appearance?

Answer 1

Yep. Appearance is big time important.

Answer 2

All my relatives & friends who fly (one of them is a union leader) give weight-age to appearance (they have not told me but I have seen them going to office giving particular attention to their uniform as well as personal grooming), and I have seen them talking to their seniors with great care & respect in attention mode (not in a casual approach).

But personally, I feel, if you are qualified and look serious while communicating at/about your job then this is really not an issue...I am not saying that you don't have a right to laugh or joke but one should not look like a yankee or HaHa guy for such a serious job.

Answer 3

At your interview you'd better be wearing a suit anyway, so nobody will even see your arms.  If you are competent and knowledgeable, you will get the job.  If you don't get it, it will not be because of any tattoos.

Answer 4

Wear long sleeves to your Interview. But I don't think it would hinder you really its not that big of a deal anymore to have tats. And they are way hot.

Answer 5

Quite possibly.  Tattoos say a great deal about personal accountability.  Why would any corporation place a great deal of responsibliity on a person who shows none by having tattoos?  Probably not too many.

Answer 6

Depends on the tattoo. If it's the symbol of the US Marine Corps, you'll have fewer problems than the guy with gang or prison tats.

Answer 7

I agree with the previous answers to wear long sleeves and that if you able to impress your employers, it may not matter. However, keep in mind the cockpit crew "corporate culture" tends to be rather conservative and traditional. If you have "Tommy Lee" tats all over the place as opposed to one that is easily covered, you may have to prove yourself a little more.  They will want to know they can take you seriously.

Answer 8

Wearing long sleeves during your interview doesn't mean a thing.  You still have to go through a pre-employment physical, and all will be there to see, and because it is a pre-employment physical, the records are available to the prospective employer.

The first post is wrong.  MANY employers still see tattoo's as detrimental to their image.  Our business does also.

Answer 9

not really, there are alot of guys with tats who fly.

Answer 10

Business....any Business is all about attracting and keeping customers.  If you are in a business where the customer expects solid judgement and clear thinking, they expect the person to look like it.  Every customer is not going to ask for your resume....its posted on your face and in your appearance to the world.  Thats why you MUST wear a Uniform.  To show your status and authority.

Police do it. Firemen do it.  so do Doctors and Nurses.  If you showed up for your flight dressed as Bozo the Clown (your weekend job)  Im sure your passengers would be a little concerned.

so will your employer.  So....no nose studs , no Tongue-Bolts and no ear-lobe discs.  and no Tatoos that show.  

If you are competing for promotion, raises, or recommendations when you transfer....your professional bearing and appearance will matter.

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Answer 11

Yes appearance is important. Wear long sleeves. Depending how much of your arms are covered with tattoo's may depend on if you get your job. I'd hope you have a nice Chief pilot when going for the interview.