Tattoos and scars

As society progress, discrimination laws move forward and public perceptions change, so have recruitment adverts. Employers will no longer be as blatant as even just 5 years ago. Some of you who are older will remember a time when recruitment adverts posted in the newpapers by companies will have details of preferred age (e.g. no older that 45 yrs old), race or other very specific descriptions.

Nowadays, adverts are much more general in nature, stating only residency, minimum qualifications, minimum age and more general personal qualities. As such, airline recruitment requirements will also tend to be more generalized. I know some of you question why SIA is not more specific when they have such strict selection requirements. One is that the qualities of a good CC (cabin crew) cannot be summarized in a short advert and the other reason I gather is that they want to stay away from criteria that may be viewed as discriminatory. After all, SIA already gets quite a bit of flake for its HR policies on maternity leave or rather the lack of it for female CCs.

So for those who wish to get a straight answer on whether tattoos are accepted for the SIA girl or how big a scar is too much too visible for selection will probably never get a definitive answer. We can however make an educated guess of their expectations based on previous selections and the experience of the cabin crew already in the company.

For tattoos, it is pretty much a don't ask, don't tell policy. If they can't see it during the interview, they probably will not care to dig too much. Unless, of course, you attend the interview in a turtle neck blouse and long pants, then they may have to ask. As many have said before, as long as your tattoo or scar cannot be seen when you don the uniform, you are safe. Then I also hear many hopefuls say thing like,"My scar/tattoo is just about my elbow and since the kebaya cover the elbow why didn't they accept me?" or "Why do I have to bend down and let them inspect my back while wearing the kebaya when my scar/tattoo is below the neckline of the blouse?" or "I have a scar on the knee, can it be accepted?"

Here's the thing, CCs work really hard on board and don't just stand around in their pretty outfits. You can try to be more observant of their duties and range of movements if you happen to fly with the airline and if you don't you can always try observing the girls at the airport. The sleeve while covering the elbow when standing still will fall when you raise your arms. It is not a tight fit and won't stay stuck at the elbow area. As a CC, you will be doing a lot of reaching and lifting as part of your work and if you have an arm tattoo or a long scar down to your elbow, it will probably show when you life your arms. Next is the back, again the uniform is not stuck on you regardless of how tight it looks upright. As you bend down, the back will fan out and if you have observed CC at work on board, you can see that the upper back is visible. Thus, a big tattoo or scaring here will probably not pass even if it is covered by the uniform when standing upright. CCs do a lot of bending and squarts as part of the job whether to reach trays from the cart or to pick up items from the floor or just to lower yourself to talk to passenger at eye level. The kebaya being a sensual outfit with a rather high slit will show a lot of legs when you walk, especially when you walk fast or in long strides. Go observe at the airport if you don't get what I mean. So tattoos/scars on ankles, knees and even a little higher than the knees will be visible from time to time in the course of the job in this uniform. Thus, just covering the scar/tattoos when standing in the uniform is not enough. You must think of the range of movements and the areas that can be seen.

That said, the leg are the easiest to cover up for small tattoos and scars. Since CCs are allowed to wear stockings on board, just conceal your scar for the interview and wear stockings always when you work on board. Please do not get the idea that this is asking too much because you think you can be careful with your body movements and so the arms and upper back will not be visible while working. You really won't have so much time to be conscious about your scars/tattoo once you start work. Really, if the cabin air wasn't so cold and dry, all of you will be sweating from the work. Someone once asked why CC wear such thin uniform but don't seem cold on board. There you go, because they are working hard enough to work up a sweat if not for the dry air. With that much movement, it's hard to feel cold even when everyone is cuddling up with a blanket in the cabin.

Now you may question why the airline have such requirements but let's face it, they are not being personal but it's just branding. Every airline markets and brands itself differently and SIA have chosen the strategy of using its crew: particularly the SIA girl. The SIA girl is branded to be a warm, approachable Asian girl with a sweet smile and the vitality of youth and energy. This also somehow psychologically remind customers of their young fleet. You may say that have nothing to do with tattoos and scar but it unfortunately does.

Branding on an icon requires uniformity. It's a compliment to their branding efforts when people talk about how similar the SIA girls are and when they are talked about as a whole entity. You don't hear people talking about that girl on the Hong Kong flight with the butterful tattoo or that girl on the London flight with the blond streaks. They are all SIA girls with Asian looking hair, features, similar make up, nails and service attitude. Yes there are some black sheep but generally you get the idea. Too much individuality in the girls will ruin this branding that is so painstakingly created with millions of dollars of marketing.  You can be any shade of individuality on your own time but once you don the uniform, you must act a certain way and look a certain way. You are expected to be a kind of walking advertisement of their branding campaign and thus the strict rules on what you can/cannot do once in uniform. If you have heard that you can't talk on your handphone while walking in uniform, you will be right. That's the extend they go to protect this branding image. In uniform, you walk with grace and a smile, being too excited while talking on the phone can ruin that. Just look at someone complaining/quarrelling into their hp on the MRT or bus. Not a pretty sight right? Especially if they get so excited vulgarities start coming out.

All smiles, all well groomed, all Asian...an icon of branding

The next reason is superficiality. Fact is, people love to be served by good looking (well groomed) people. SIA is supposed to be a high end carrier and no high end service industry (e.g. 5 star hotels, high class restaurants,  designer boutiques) will expect anything less that immaculate grooming. Just imagine yourself going to a restaurant and the server for your table has a face full of puss filled acne. Not very appetizing isn't it? Well, that's just how people are. A high class place is expected to have front line staff who look good, are immaculately groomed from head to toe. That's part of the experience and atmosphere of the place. If you go somewhere expensive, you would want beautiful people serving you too so why would the a high class airline expect anything less from their branding icon. At the end of the day, the air travel industry is so competitive these days and you can't be too sloppy in any area of marketing.

So if you are of those who have been feeling bitter about the strict selection on this issue, I hope it's just because you haven't thought deeper into the subject and that now you will lighten up after reading this. Also, if you have been confused how to tell if your tattoo/scar will be called out, this will probably give you a better idea. Think of the work involved and how the garment will move. Is your tattoo/scar still covered? If you have tattoos on your wrist/neck/ear area, please just stop giving yourself grieve by going for the SIA interview. It won't work because it goes against the very core of their branding campaign. If you still dream of becoming a cabin crew, go for other airlines that either have uniforms that cover your tattoo or do not mind you having them.  Should you still have questions on this issue, I'll be happy to answer your questions.