Tattoo Hinderance

[Huck]

We can all thank Kit Darby for "dumbing down" our interview images to the same navy-blue robotic look.

I went to one of his seminars once. As I sat down with 8 other guys to eat lunch, the very first thing somebody said was (looking at my moustache) "Facial hair! That's a risk, isn't it?"

I've flown with dozens of guys with tattoos - mostly infantry/marine types, many from Viet Nam days. All great guys and excellent pilots - and all would get shot down at a major interview if the ink was visible at all. Good Gosh man don't show any personality! Check that at the door!

 

[skiddriver]

Some advice for any of the young guys/gals who might be considering (1) going into military aviation and (2) getting a tattoo.

My service (Marine Corps) is heading down the road of considering some tattoos disqualifying for an officer selection program. In particular, anything that could be considered gang related or might be offensive (and they use a pretty broad brush on that one) will absolutely disqualify you. Any tattoos on the hands or neck are a real problem. Don't know the rules for the other services.

This does not mean in any way shape or form that the Corps won't take you with a tattoo, or that there aren't a gazillion (and that's a lot) Marine officers with tattoos. They just need to be in good taste and preferably not visible in the short sleeve uniform.

This is a break from tradition (I know), and I didn't come up with it (so don't flame the messenger). But before someone inadvertently shuts a door they might want to walk through some day, I thought I'd toss it out on the table.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I'm still spending time, money and pain getting rid of a mistake on my arm. Thankfully it's not visible when wearing long sleeves, but still, I believe the removal is well worth it in order to satisfy those with conservative views (ie, HR folks). As previously stated, most pilots only care about how you fly and what sort of attitude you carry. The people that do the hiring have other things to think about, so showing them my tattoo is not something I think will enhance my hiring potential. Good luck out there.

 

[Caveman]

Toy Soldier,

I guess I didn't make myself clear in my earlier post. I'm a 'success story.' I was hired with three tattoo's, two of them clearly visible on my forearms. I always wear a short sleeve shirt when in uniform and except for one comment from a grumpy young captain (I think he was intimidated), I've never had a problem. FYI: One tattoo is biker related, one is service related, and the third one (which can't be seen unless I take off my shirt) is none of your business ;-)

Caveman

 

[414Flyer]

I once jumpseated on SWA, and the Captain had tattoos on his forearm. Actually he looked like someone you would see in a porn movie, with his tattoos, mustache, randy west style hair...I dont think he would have been hired at UAL

Yeah what Kit is doing to the hiring process (when there is hiring) is wrong IMHO. Its like he places himself as another step in the hiring process and tells everyone how we need him to get a job. he will tell us how to look, how to dress, what to say, etc. And he tries to squash websites that show interview preps for free, since it takes away from his business and then people dont need him as much

 

[bobbysamd]

Kit Darby

I haven't sought a commuter or regional job in more than eight years and I continue to be amazed at how the more things change the more they stay the same. Kit Darby has espoused the navy suit, white shirt and red tie manifesto for as long as I've followed airline hiring, which is a good 15 years.

I tried it both ways. I happen to look good in brown and I already had a nice brown suit when I went to my first interview, with WestAir/United Express, in 1990. At that interview there was the usual cattle call. Applicants were wearing all kinds of suits, ties, sport coats and slacks. Later, after reviewing Kit's "recommendations," I was amazed. I wasn't hired, but I'd bet other applicants were hired from that day.

Two months later, I interviewed at Mesa. At that time Mesa crews were wearing white shirts but with brown ties and brown epaulets, so I thought wearing my brown suit was a safe bet; you know, the "experts" recommend that you should appear at an interview in attire that matches the company culture as close as possible. I suffered the same result of that interview; no offer. I concluded that maybe I wasn't dressing right.

Well, as Paul Harvey says, here's the rest of the story. I bought a navy blue suit and red tie. I wore this outfit to the rest of my interviews. The result? You guessed it - no offers.

It is all so ridiculous. Some people look great in navy. Others don't. Having said all that, and with a sigh, probably the safest route for the interview of your life is to follow Darby's stupid rules and play his stupid game.

There are a lot of other reasons I don't like Kit Darby which are subject matter for another thread.

Just for the fun of it, and also because I learned a lot from reading this book, I'll suggest reading Dress for Success by John T. Molloy, ISBN 0446385522.

Good luck with your interview.