In a modern society, tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, and they are not as frowned upon in the workplace as they used to be some years ago.
However, there are still certain job roles that will prevent employees from having any tattoos, even though there are some that are totally fine with it.
If you have tattoos, or you are thinking of getting tattoos, you might be wondering if this is something that is alright for a pilot to have.
We are going to answer all your tattoo related questions when it comes to pilots to put your mind at rest.
The rules may vary from airline to airline, but we will do our best to explain the rules surrounding having tattoos as a pilot. This way, you will know exactly what you can and can’t do.
Can Airline Pilots Have Tattoos?
Airline pilots can have tattoos, but they will need to be in places that are not visible. Any visible tattoos are highly discouraged in the airline industry, and they are often frowned upon, meaning that they can prevent you from getting a job as a pilot.
If you are a general aviation pilot, then this rule might not affect you so much, but otherwise, you will need to make sure that your tattoos are concealed. The general rule is that if you have any tattoos, they must be covered up by your uniform, and if this is not the case, then you might face difficulties when it comes to recruitment.
Being a pilot is a highly skilled job that will require a lot of responsibility, as this role makes you responsible for getting both passengers and crew safely to their destination.
Obviously, most people will be aware that having tattoos does not compromise your ability to perform in your job, but there are still people that view tattoos as unprofessional. This is one of the main reasons why tattoos are frowned upon, as there is a worry of how they will be perceived by the public.
The majority of airlines want their pilots to be portrayed as professional and trustworthy by passengers, whatever that might mean, and the presence of tattoos, in their opinion, could jeopardize this perfect image.
If you want to become an airline pilot one day, and you do not currently have any tattoos, you should really think about the consequences of getting one. Even if you see no harm in getting a tattoo, your employer might not think in the same way, especially if there is a policy against it. If you do decide to get one, make sure that it can be covered by your uniform.
If you do have tattoos, but they are not visible, your best bet is probably not to acknowledge them and keep them hidden. If nobody is ever going to see them, then it shouldn’t cause a problem.
The problem comes when you have decided that you want to be a pilot, but you have tattoos in places that are visible all the time. Unless you get really lucky with an airline that doesn’t mind about tattoos, you might want to consider having the tattoo removed.
Can You Have Tattoos in the Air Force?
There are strict rules for those that want to join the Air Force when it comes to body modifications. If you are planning on getting any tattoos or other body modifications, they ask you to carefully consider placement, size and content before you proceed.
Any tattoos, brands, or piercings that are anywhere on the body and are prejudicial to good order and discipline, or of a nature that might bring discredit upon the Air Force are prohibited.
So, any tattoos or modifications that are obscene or advocate sexual, racial, ethnic or religious discrimination will disqualify you. As long as your tattoos are none of these things, then they are allowed.
Though, your tattoos will need to be below an open collar if they are on the chest, and you are not allowed to have any tattoos on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, and scalp. Hand tattoos are limited to one single-band ring tattoo, on one finger, on one hand.
Where Can Pilots Have Tattoos?
Pilots are typically only permitted to have tattoos in areas that are not visible when they are wearing their uniform.
Even though the stigma surrounding tattoos has come a long way, there are still people that associate them with negative connotations, and the airlines don’t want their pilots to be perceived this way.
This is why if you are a pilot, you will need to have tattoos in places that are not visible to anyone when you are in uniform. Having tattoos that are visible often can and will prevent you from getting your dream job as a pilot.
