Is my aviation career over before it’s even started?
Posted by Squanch4670@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 81 comments
Hi! After after a few years of nonstop dreaming of being a pilot, I (26M) have finally started training for my PPL with hopes for a future career in aviation and I am absolutely hooked. I know I’m already late to party at my age but like many people I went to college, got my degree and wanted nothing to do with the industry I got a degree in after working in it for a few years.
My biggest concern is that I’m heavily tattooed and I know that cripples chances at making it to the airlines. I have full Japanese traditional sleeves on both arms that extend onto my hands as well as a big “job stopper” on the back of one of my hands and a small cross on the side of my neck. I don’t regret the art but I heavily regret the decision for the hand and neck tattoos when I was younger and more impulsive with decisions when it came to tattoos.
At this point I wouldn’t be able to cover them with just long sleeves and with the colors and how saturated the tattoos are, removing them fully is not very likely.
Does anyone have experience with removing visible tattoos and still getting hired? I would hate to try to remove these and it just looking faded but less visible and still not be able to be hired. Is covering with makeup or gloves an option? How likely is this to affect my ability to be hired in non-airline positions ( local tourism, private jets, cargo, etc)?
At this point, I don’t have any option other than being a pilot that I want to pursue and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
FuelBest2339@reddit
Whats with people acting like mid 20’s/early 30’s is retirement home age. Youve been a fully independent adult for like 4 years, relax lol.
MadeForThisOnePostt@reddit
As a 28 year old, it’s because this is the time you’re supposed to be “ established “ I.e already in your career, with your fiancé or wife/husband, children( if you desire them, I do not personally ) money in your 401k , good health plan , decent home etc …. We feel like we should have it figured out by not , not “ still figuring it out “
I constantly think to myself time is running out and that If I don’t make it to the airlines by 30 I basically wasted my entire life lol , yes I know this isn’t true and the stress is self induced but it’s just a constant thing in most mid 20s- early 30s head … I’m sure once we all hit 40 we’ll realize we have more time than ever lol
OzrielArelius@reddit
lol maybe 30 years ago. nowadays I feel like 30 is just getting started and most people aren't very "established" until mid to late 30s
Adamas_Moustache86@reddit
Not even 30 years ago. I average age where people are actually "settled" and earning their best salaries, saving money, all the things mention above, is like mid 40's and basically has been for a long time. That demographic that serves as a nation's "economic engine" due to taxes on a high income and investing.
trollisme_iamtroll@reddit
I was 35 the day I started at my legacy.
I was bottom 1/3 of my class in terms of age. 35 is the new 25 my dude.
ManagedSpeed340@reddit
Maybe 40 years ago but times have changed. 1). The average new hire at a legacy is 35. Not mid 20’s. 2). You’ll make plenty of money in a 25 year career to retire happily. 30 years at a legacy can be generational wealth. 3). Side note many pilots I fly with are late 30’s early 40’s having their first or second kid. It’s very common. I believe data also points to it leading to more successful marriages but I am not 100% if that’s accurate. Lord knows we need our divorce rates to go down.
toraai117@reddit
As someone who lost a jet job during the hiring phase due to my medical it’s easy to play the numbers game and look at the millions of $ at the backend I’ve lost being stuck as a CFI. But like you said I’ll still make boat loads of money
devonwillis21@reddit
How is your cfi medical different from an airline medical? Isn't first class just first class?
toraai117@reddit
It was suspended… don’t tell the FAA shit
Took 9 months before my case went in front of someone at OKC and got it back the next day…
By that time the jet jobs were gone and back to CFI I went
Benny303@reddit
I'm not a commercial or ATP, but honestly I'd say in another 5 to 10 years tattoos probably won't be a deal breaker anymore, I work as a firefighter paramedic and it was a deal breaker for many departments for years until the younger guys started promoting and everyone realized that literally no one cares.
Everyone is always concerned about the elderlies opinion on it, and they are the ones that compliment them the most.
It's one of those things where the only people that think they are unprofessional is the upper management in the field itself, none of the lower employees or any of their customers actually care at all, and most actually really like them.
LikenSlayer@reddit
Go fly for Scandinavian Airlines. You can have visible tattoos & wear sneakers.
Other option, fly for the military or Air interdiction officer. You'll fit right in. I know!!
Small_Chicken1085@reddit
Some serious goddamned ratings man. Jesus.
Long-Cauliflower587@reddit
Must be in national guard
LikenSlayer@reddit
Dead give away F35B, USMC only
Semper fi🤘🏽
Huge_Analysis_1298@reddit
Do you know an Australian pilot called "Thong" by any chance? He was FA18 exchange with the USAF a few years ago
Long-Cauliflower587@reddit
Good point. If you ever go on a podcast or anything like that I’d love to hear your story, it’s always interesting learning all the different possibilities and paths in aviation.
ManagedSpeed340@reddit
F-35B and hornet = marine.
Xaver1106@reddit
Ratemaxxing!
bhalter80@reddit
Do they pay in money? That sounds like a sweat gig for the IT job changers who love wearing hoodies and jeans all day
LikenSlayer@reddit
Pay is in Euro's. Definitely not top tier pay, by pilot standards. Also, if Airbus is your thing. You'll have extra tray for your croissant
bhalter80@reddit
I'd fly Tupolev if the comp was right.
I still remember boarding a plane back to the US from Bangaluru in 2023 and seeing the nosewheel markings for IL-76s on the ground
Fair_Dealer2941@reddit
Kat Von D. concealer + removal.
hardisonc12@reddit
So traditional US airlines are probably out of the question but there are still tons of options for you that offer 6 figure money. Military if you act soon, 135, crop dusting (have lots of friends that do this, they have fun, love it, look into helo flying for more $? Idk) also state jobs down in South America. Options are out there if you’re motivated.
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Laser beams
Muted-Rhubarb2143@reddit
You can try agriculture (aka cropdusting) but that’ll still be an uphill slog in a very conservative segment of an already conservative industry. Helicopters tend to be more accommodating of the rough & tumble too.
Forget about jets.
Pilotguy77@reddit
I fly ag with a full Japanese sleeve. Not one word has ever been said from any operator or farmer other than “you ex-military?” Universally followed by the “thank you for your service”. There may be a ton of hurdles to cross getting in to ag, but tattoos ain’t one of them in my experience.
Muted-Rhubarb2143@reddit
Are you still in the 188?
Pilotguy77@reddit
402B!
ThatsSomeIsh@reddit
Have you considered turtlenecks and driving gloves?
Key-Ad7820@reddit
don’t have to get the sleeves removed if you choose to wear sleeves your whole career but everything else that’s visible get it removed
sprayed150@reddit
135 guy here, both myself and a few of our other pilots have visible tattoos below the elbow on our arms.
Dry-Lingonberry-388@reddit
Wear makeup for the first few months. Once you’re in.. you’re in
Double-Speaker483@reddit
Possible that some job choices for the airlines may be reduced, but still have plenty of options in cargo, charter, etc operations where tattoos might not be so much of a problem or some places would even love it since it may match their company culture. Just depends, not a complete career killer. Keep working on it.
basicbk1@reddit
Come over to the rotorcraft/helicopter side. You’re weird if you don’t have any tattoos in this industry.
JoeDirt-7@reddit
You should be able to cover with makeup or even skin toned bandages. I fly blackhawks for the army rn and I have tattoos on my hand. I already started removal treatments so I can go airlines in a couple years. Cost me $2,000 but worth it.
YamComprehensive7186@reddit
You can always fly skydivers.
Used_Shower3984@reddit
Tattoo removal is a thing, but yes visible tattoos are a nonstarter for most quality aviation jobs.
Squanch4670@reddit (OP)
If I got them removed they’d likely not be able to be fully removed as they’d just look heavily faded. Do you think that would be able to get me through? I wouldn’t want to remove them just for the “removed” residual markings to still disqualify me.
Roskosity@reddit
Got mine totally removed in 10 sessions and it was blue ink. Apparently that’s the hardest to remove. Remove the neck one down to where your neck meets your shoulder and hand/wrist ones past your wrist bone so that long sleeves cover them even when you’re reaching and the sleeve pulls up. It hurts, but start now.
TrippedEyes@reddit
You can get them almost / fully removed depending on how many sessions. When I decided to start training to make this my career,I had FULL hand tattoos and full sleeves. I left the full sleeves (because I know a few people in airlines / other 135 positions that have full sleeves and cover them and said it’s fine, and love the work personally so didn’t want to remove) but removed my hand tattoos due to them being obviously visible. Both of my hands are about completely gone now, one hand you would never know, and the other just looks a LITTLE discolored on top due to me just not going back for 2-3 more laser sessions which I’m planning to anyway just is not a pleasurable experience.
But if I were you, and wanting to make this a career, START NOW. Most laser removal places say they can remove them in a few months, not true. You have to wait 8-12 weeks between sessions depending on type of laser they use, and it takes anywhere from 10-15 sessions to get them FULLY removed from the skin (no residual), all depending on how fresh the ink is, type of ink used, part of the body it’s on, etc.
financiallyanal@reddit
If you want to do it, the sooner, the better so it can start fading even further.
EliteEthos@reddit
You need to be able to completely cover them.
There are jobs you can get where this isn’t an issue but it won’t be an airline job
dickheadfartface@reddit
Are these tattoos on your hands, face, or neck? If not, just wear long sleeve pilot shirts.
Commercial-Potato211@reddit
Wear long sleeve clothes at all times and remove the ones on your neck and hands
DaveTheW1zard@reddit
Don't most Airlines have a policies and procedures manual with dress code that would outline things like this? And if it’s not in there, then it’s probably not an issue. Make some phone calls to different airlines and get the real story instead of relying on Reddit.
swagredditor6@reddit
Concealer
NoPhysics1129@reddit
Airforce
JeffreyDollarz@reddit
Fly cargo instead of humans.
whatdoestheregsay@reddit
I knew before going into my career that I’m going to be a career-long long-sleeve pilot. The summers will suck when I’m outside, but hey, I’m okay with sweating for a bit.
BrtFrkwr@reddit
Atlas won't care. Kalitta it's probably a net positive.
Stunning_Cry280@reddit
I don’t even need to read this if you fundamentally can pass your check rides. Maybe not atp. But I am learning too
Sudden-Category6688@reddit
Use foundation
chinky47@reddit
Have you thought about helicopters? I fly EMS and get to be home every night. I have tattoos as do a lot of people in this industry. And beards are allowed. My last job was also a part 135 and I worked with people who had nose rings. I’m dual rated but I think helicopters are more enjoyable, but also more challenging. We don’t make as much as the legacy airline guys but if I really wanted to work my tail off, I could pull around 250k a year. I knew someone who made over 300k last year.
Also, my first flight ever was at 29, so you aren’t behind the curve at all.
dcl415@reddit
My airline is full of people with tattoos, they just wear long sleeves or make up to cover areas that cant be covered by clothing. Also I started at 34. So you are most definitively not late
spartacusmarcus_@reddit
Are you flying for an airline?
dcl415@reddit
Yes for 5 years now
spartacusmarcus_@reddit
Sick, I’m 30 about to finish up my ppl with long term goal of hitting the airlines and I always have that “is it to late” thought in the back of my head.
dcl415@reddit
Focus on the goal, one step at the time. The airlines are full of people that started after 30. We have life skills that the younger guys and gals still need to learn
JuicyPossum@reddit
+1 to the not too late. Started training at 30.
gooohara@reddit
Tattoo removal nowadays has great results. Some tattoos might take more than 10 sessions to fully disappear (a year or so), but during the process you can put on some good concealer/foundation (there are good brands like Vichy dermablend or makeup for TV like Kryolan).
I don’t plan on flying airlines but I have some tattoos on my hands and neck. I hope it all works out for you!
gbchaosmaster@reddit
We’ll take you in the helicopter world. There aren’t many of us *without* ink, haha.
tooflytotry@reddit
there's more to a career as a pilot than working at delta. i'm sure you can find a path, and still get to keep your tattoos. honestly tattoo removal/concealment would only be something you have to worry about once you get all your ratings and have a decent amount of time built to start actually applying for said jobs...
OfficeInTheAir@reddit
Don't know where you are based but there are quite a few airlines in Europe that allow visible tattoos (including some of the biggest) and more and more are changing their rules so there is hope.
CtrlcCtrlvLoop@reddit
The airlines are not the “end-all-be-all.” Plenty of heavily tattooed corporate/contract pilots making bank with great QOL. Keep flying and be open to other opportunities. There are so many kids your age gunning for the airlines that even “perfect” candidates are being looked over. Find a company that appreciates who you are, tattoos and all. Best of luck brother!
Flyboy3969@reddit
There are flying jobs that don’t face the public so much. Cargo is much different than the airlines.
NYVikesGuy@reddit
Tattoo removal has improved dramatically over the last few years. Probably a good option for you now. You should look into it.
Working-Grapefruit42@reddit
I fly for a 121 and I have hand arm neck tats no one has ever said anything to me about it.
skyHawk3613@reddit
Cargo companies don’t care about tattoos. I think the only companies that might care about tattoos are legacies
RunAgreeable7576@reddit
I think many people short themselves on the possibilities in aviation. If it’s airlines or nothing for you, removal might be a necessity, however, truly dive into the 135 world and I’m not sure what UPS/fedex say about tattoos but if this is your passion, there’s more options with similar $$ in other areas too without spending tens of thousands on removal
NitNav2000@reddit
Maybe just tattoo everything so it looks like you were born with olive drab skin
Thomas-Ligotti97@reddit
Extreme dark colored jaundice
MountainMan17@reddit
Good judgement and foresight are essential elements for safe flying. They're even more important in jobs that have passengers.
Some look at tattoos negatively within this context. Others may not. I think both positions are understandable. I'm somewhere in the middle, with a "WTF?" caveat for those with face and neck tattoos.
It's out of your hands at this point. However it turns out, use it as a good life lesson. You're young, so you'll get a lot of years of benefit from it...
EliteEthos@reddit
Not to late to start the removal provess
Schwalbe262Guy@reddit
Coverups are fine. Visible tattoos… really your only move would be to remove them in the current day and age. I don’t know any pilots who have face tattoos
chonky348@reddit
why do you keep your profile hidden?
Baystate411@reddit
Because some dumb fuck doxxed an admin here and got him fired from his real job
justcallme3nder@reddit
Because it stops people like you from looking at it. Idk why everyone doesn't have their profiles hidden. It's such a common sense thing to do.
Thomas-Ligotti97@reddit
I have one on my forearm, and there’s multiple others who have them pretty close to the wrist. From my personal experience, a compression shirt can save you the troubles.
blindpylote@reddit
Tattoo removal and makeup. There is hope for you still.
stormcellar97@reddit
industrial size tubs of conealer
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hi! After after a few years of nonstop dreaming of being a pilot, I (26M) have finally started training for my PPL with hopes for a future career in aviation and I am absolutely hooked. I know I’m already late to party at my age but like many people I went to college, got my degree and wanted nothing to do with the industry I got a degree in after working in it for a few years.
My biggest concern is that I’m heavily tattooed and I know that cripples chances at making it to the airlines. I have full Japanese traditional sleeves on both arms that extend onto my hands as well as a big “job stopper” on the back of one of my hands and a small cross on the side of my neck. I don’t regret the art but I heavily regret the decision for the hand and neck tattoos when I was younger and more impulsive with decisions when it came to tattoos.
At this point I wouldn’t be able to cover them with just long sleeves and with the colors and how saturated the tattoos are, removing them fully is not very likely.
Does anyone have experience with removing visible tattoos and still getting hired? I would hate to try to remove these and it just looking faded but less visible and still not be able to be hired. Is covering with makeup or gloves an option? How likely is this to affect my ability to be hired in non-airline positions ( local tourism, private jets, cargo, etc)?
At this point, I don’t have any option other than being a pilot that I want to pursue and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
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