No beards for J/S due to oxygen degradation
09-18-2023, 06:45 AM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2019
Posts: 448
It's about appearance. A neatly trimmed beard or other facial hair looks much better than a fat dude or chick. If you have serious weight issues, you are not being professional and do not know how to take care of yourself. Besides, being 300 lbs might be an invitation to a heart attack when crap hits the fan.
I wouldn't feel comfortable flying with Bubba the Hut.
I wouldn't feel comfortable flying with Bubba the Hut.
09-18-2023, 08:09 AM
#46
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,009
Management would enforce a 25% BMI limit in a heartbeat if they could do so legally (and the CBA didn't provide any protections). They might have to temporarily relax that to 30% for the duration of the pilot shortage.
Facial hair isn't a protected idenity class (yet).
09-18-2023, 08:14 AM
#47
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,009
Im not trying to be sarcastic, but I believe the U.S. is one of the few remaining countries that does not allow beards. I think European pilots are viewed as having a “more professional” overall look than U.S. pilots.
Also, with the amount of new hires that look like they’re fresh out of high school I would think management would want beards. Most people look older with beards and I think that passengers would feel more comfortable with pilots they “feel” has experience over someone who is clean shaven.
Also, with the amount of new hires that look like they’re fresh out of high school I would think management would want beards. Most people look older with beards and I think that passengers would feel more comfortable with pilots they “feel” has experience over someone who is clean shaven.
In the US there's still a perception in some demographics that it's an edgy bohemian statement. Of course those demographics happens to include many premium airline pax.
It's changing, but not quite there yet. Like many other things, it's fully accepted in the youth demographic, but youth doesn't call the shots. They will eventually, but of course they won't be youth any more at that point.
Also management does have the issue of "beard management"... they don't want to have to carry rulers around, and you know some cats flying redeyes away from the mothership will try to impersonate the taliban...
Personally I'm perfectly fine with Sea Captain beards, but I would like some mustache relief to go along with that... nothing crazy, just more leeway than the hitler youth.
09-18-2023, 11:01 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,117
Foreign cultures in general have a slightly more accepting attitude towards beards (in some extreme cases lack of facial hair might get you killed for presumed homosexuality). Common for professionals, military, and law enforcement to have beards overseas.
In the US there's still a perception in some demographics that it's an edgy bohemian statement. Of course those demographics happens to include many premium airline pax.
It's changing, but not quite there yet. Like many other things, it's fully accepted in the youth demographic, but youth doesn't call the shots. They will eventually, but of course they won't be youth any more at that point.
Also management does have the issue of "beard management"... they don't want to have to carry rulers around, and you know some cats flying redeyes away from the mothership will try to impersonate the taliban...
Personally I'm perfectly fine with Sea Captain beards, but I would like some mustache relief to go along with that... nothing crazy, just more leeway than the hitler youth.
In the US there's still a perception in some demographics that it's an edgy bohemian statement. Of course those demographics happens to include many premium airline pax.
It's changing, but not quite there yet. Like many other things, it's fully accepted in the youth demographic, but youth doesn't call the shots. They will eventually, but of course they won't be youth any more at that point.
Also management does have the issue of "beard management"... they don't want to have to carry rulers around, and you know some cats flying redeyes away from the mothership will try to impersonate the taliban...
Personally I'm perfectly fine with Sea Captain beards, but I would like some mustache relief to go along with that... nothing crazy, just more leeway than the hitler youth.
My point is that even non pilot Americans of any age group would mostly view U.S. pilots as the least “professional” looking in the world. I’m not saying we’re slobs, but if there was such a category, U.S. pilots would take first place. I never see a Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates pilot, etc. with a gut hanging down to their knees, pants that are 6 inches too long, shirts wrinkled af and/or untucked walking around the airport. The only demographic that cares if a pilot, lawyer, doctor, engineer, or CEO has a beard are boomer pilots that claim “that’s the way we’ve always done it.” Specifically 121 boomer pilots. No one else. No person in this country cares who has a beard.
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