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Airline defends 'young, pretty' policy


Guest M. McRae

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Guest M. McRae

Def. a different world.

Airline defends 'young, pretty' policy

From correspondents in Kuala Lumpur

24sep03

PASSENGERS want to be served by "young, demure and pretty stewardesses" a top Malaysian Airlines official said in defence of the grounding of female cabin crew aged over 40, according to a new report.

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 as saying by the New Straits Times.

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

Malaysian Airline System Employees Union (MASEU) last week 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 supervisors, and by the age of 40 if they hold non-supervisory posts, 15 years earlier than their male counterparts.

"We need front-liners who are mentally and physically alert, young, pretty and quick to respond to emergencies as safety and security of passengers is our priority," 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.

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

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Guest lancaster

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."

If it is proven by statistics, how can this policy not be supported amongst airlines that strive to be competative and profitable? Comments

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Guest M. McRae

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

Guess he means that psgrs prefer to be served by Asian Ladies who are young, demure and pretty or ???? :)

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Guest cancommuter

Not really. I think it's true, however, until an airline in North America tries to lure passengers with its 'young and demure' flight attendents will never know if it really creates an advantage.

In the end I won't touch it with a ten foot pole, or is it a 3.04800 meter pole (thanks google).

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I think it's true, too. At least it's better than 59 and a half year olds with walkers who live in the aft galley.

But I'm not naming any specific airline.

qb

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They are the most visible face of an airline. Political correctness aside, if I was crazy enough to own an airline, the planes would be staffed with Stewardesses, not flight attendants. And they'd all be young and pretty. And it would be fun.

Sue me.

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