Air Canada pilots no longer need to appear clean at work. The airline
allows it, as a result of scientific research, to take place in the cockpit
with a neatly trimmed beard.
 
Until now beards were out of the question in the cockpit, for fear that in
case of emergency the oxygen masks would not connect properly to the faces
of the pilots. A study by Simon Fraser University has now shown that
wearing a modest beard does not hinder the functioning of the masks, CBC
reports.
 
Reason for the investigation were complaints from Indian Sikhs, who
basically do not shave their beards. Canada has a relatively large
Sikh-population many of them employed by the airline.
 
Air Canada is now changing the regulations, but requires a maximum beard
length of 1.25 centimeters, in order to ensure a well-groomed appearance of
the pilots. The Canadian Air Force may also take measures in response to
the research results.

--- D'Bridge 3.99 SR33