I do a fair amount of flying for my job - especially in the summer as we bounce from music festival to music festival. I prefer sitting in the aisle seat on a plane - I like the flexibility of getting up and walking around whenever I want to without having to climb over people. But because I'm fairly broad-shouldered, I am always aware of the flight attendants/air hostesses as they roam up and down the aisle serving food and drinks, collecting garbage, and performing their various duties. I have often wondered if weight was a factor in getting hired - I mean, those airplane aisles are not very wide, and those flight attendants have to squeeze through some pretty tight places at times.
Well, it seems weight has become a factor - at least for air hostesses in India. An Indian court has ruled against a group of air hostesses who were grounded from the national airline for being overweight. The company policy was put into place in December of 2005.
"No airline can afford to remain lax in any department whatsoever, be it the personality of the crew members of their physical fitness," said the judge. Read more of the story here.
In a related story, Air India (the same airline) went on record in 2004 as stating that applicants for air hostess positions would not be considered if they had acne or bad teeth. Do you think companies would get away with these kind of restrictions in North America, or would they be deemed "discriminating" and "demeaning"?
Some jobs really requires great body, not just a flight attendant but also aerobic instructor, dance instructor, swimming instructor and so on. This kind of job really requires a fitted and healthy kind of body.
Posted by: Acai Berry Supreme | March 14, 2009 at 06:05 AM
We can't deny the fact that some of the jobs require great body especially for the flight attendant position. We all know that most of the stewardess are pretty and sexy since they are the one who fronts on all the passengers. I haven't seen any attendant with a heavy body.
Posted by: total cleanse | January 28, 2009 at 01:03 AM
I agree completely! I have seen large(r) flight attendants on various flights that I've taken - but they are definitely the minority. I also think it's a case of honoring the contract that you sign - if you (i.e. an Air India flight attendant) sign a contract stating you'll stay below a certain weight or you'll lose your job, then if you exceed that weight - and lose your job - it shouldn't be a surprise!
Posted by: Normal Rockstar | June 07, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Have you ever seen a fat flight attendant in the U.S.? Nope... that's because we also have restrictions about weight and health here for flight attendants. Also, depending on the airline, the majority of flight attendants are required to wear make-up, have their nails well groomed, and their hair to be well taken care of. In each of those airlines individual flight attendant contracts there are rules that state there can be possible termination if all of those things are not held firm.
I'm not a part of the airline industry in India, but I'm certain they are holding a standard that is congruent with the rest of the industry. It sounds like a case of someone blowing something out of proportion.
Posted by: Mister Nashville | June 06, 2007 at 02:09 PM