Young & Pretty Only Need Apply!

[ArtTang]

This policy would eliminate about 98% of us! For those of us who remember weight checks and the rest, thought you would appreciate it!
Art in Boca

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/23/...4082998837.html
Malaysia Airlines defends 'young and pretty' policy
September 24, 2003


Passengers want to be served by "young, demure and pretty stewardesses", a
top Malaysian Airlines official said after the grounding of female cabin
crew aged over 40.

The national flag carrier had no intention of discriminating against women
as alleged by the employees' union, corporate services senior general
manager Mohammadon Abdullah was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying.

But, he added: "Let's face reality. Customers prefer to be served by young,
demure and pretty stewardesses, especially Asian ladies."

Last week, the Malaysian Airline System Employees Union launched a campaign
against alleged sex discrimination by the airline over the retirement age.

Women must retire from flying by the age of 45 if they are supervisers, and
by the age of 40 if they hold non-supervisory posts, 15 years earlier than
their male counterparts.

"We need frontliners who are mentally and physically alert, young, pretty
and quick to respond to emergencies as safety and security of passengers is
our priority," Mr Mohammadon said.

He also suggested that women over 40 had domestic problems, which interfered
with their jobs, especially if they were married with children.

"We have statistics to show high absenteeism among married stewardesses and
this has affected our flights as we cannot take off without sufficient cabin
crew on board the aircraft."

More than half of Malaysia Airlines cabin crew are female.

Mr Mohammadon said many of the grounded stewardesses were given non-flying
duties.

AFP

 

[diva]

I grew up in Malaysia where there is still, sadly enough, a prevailing sexism against women. A lot of the Asian airlines still hold to the policy of what I call, the Singapore Girl effect. Gorgeous stewardessess with model slim bodies sell seats and are good advertisement. It's really sad and I'm glad the union is fighting this. By the way, MAS is hiring flight stewards and stewardessess but since I had to give up my Malaysian citizenship at age 21, I'm not eligible. On the positive side, the Singapore Girl and the Malaysian crew inspired me to be a crewmember. The image of 21 perfectly coiffed, perfectly groomed stewards and stewardessess marching single file down the concourse at Kuala Lumpur International is really a sight to behold.And I aspire to their standards of courteous service, soft-spoken graciousness and high standards of image and professionalism. MAS crews have been nominated as crews of the year by Skytrax for two years running.Now, if only management will show them the same level of respect and appreciation.