OK, my turn...
1. I really like the freedom to wear my new goatee. I spent more than 11 years never allowed to wear one.
2. I have had plenty of questions from captains on the JS about the beard. I know certain airlines don't allow them on the JS and others do so I plan accordingly.
3. I get lots of questions on the crew vans and I am glad to say "yep, JB allows it". I had a United captain tell me he thought I was a flight attendant but that was just a crass show of his bravado. I didn't let him get to me though, I just smiled with a chit eatin' grin and let him smolder.
4. As for the old saw about the O2 mask not working with a beard, why would the europeans allow beards if the mask on an airbus would not work with one? I routinely wear my mask when the other pilot leave the deck to take a leak and the mask seals quite nicely thank you. As proof, I wear the mask when someone leaves an ass bomb in the front lav and it keeps the stank from melting my nose hairs so I am convinced the "no workee with beards" warning on the mask is a liability CYA deal.
5. And furthermore, why do YOU care if I asphyxiate on an airplane? Hell, we are the only airline I know of that has an EVAS system on the flight deck. What are the odds?? I'll take my chances.
5. Who dictates what is professional? Do you have to be old school looking all clean cut, high and tight? That smacks of military tradition which THOROUGHLY I detest, and I was in the military.
6. Chicks dig the thing - namely, my wife.
7. Did I wear a goatee to my interview? HELL NO!! I'm not stupid, I know what the perceptions are out there but honestly, when I interviewed I did not know JB allowed them and besides I had been "conditioned" from my former employer that they were not allowed.
8. Get over it. Maybe someday they'll let you wear one at your airline. By then, we might even have hats!
9. Oh yeah, did I mention I wear Oakley M-Frames? I retired my Ray Bans long ago.