India's National Airline Fires Overweight Stewardesses

India's state-run carrier Air India has dismissed 10 women flight attendants who were grounded last year for being overweight, a report said Monday.

The sackings came after the cabin crew were warned about meeting minimum physical fitness standards and given sufficient time to lose weight, the Press Trust of India news agency reported quoting airline sources.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[rebelzz]

Well, can't have them blocking the entire aisle.

[GeeBee]

I recently flew on American Airlines to Hawaii, in an aisle seat. One female flight attendant was pretty chunky, and I couldn't believe how many times she hit me with her ass on the way past! She was pretty un-coordinated actually, and nailed at least two people on the elbow with the drinks cart.

[Curdleberg]

Don't they have a whiny PC police there, too?

[Amennyc]

Asia and the Middle East have the most attractive flight attendants known. Because of their beauty and respect for the job, they do not need to be bitter and mean like the majority of USA flight attendants.

[chedet]

You know my cousin she works as a stewardess with an asian airline and the moment she gave birth to her first child they wouldn't let her fly again. Never again. It's like there are so many rules and kind of discriminating too.

[IamHussain]

It would be interesting to see airline employee contract from which your cousin was booted from.

[MountPanic]

The people demand photos of these curvy Indian stewardesses!

Or any curvy Indian stewardesses.

Or just some curvy Indians.

A Bootylicious Bangladeshi?

Pretty Pakistani?

[IamHussain]

I applaud Air India for this measure. In India obesity is rampant -- especially among middle and wealthy classes. The reason for rise in obesity is processed food and high calorie sweets and curries. This is compounded by lack of physical exercise.

Air India is a public sector company and has most lenient employee rules/regulations among all Indian international and domestic airlines.

BTW, I am an Indian and had to battle my own obesity.

[GPI]

Best of luck for winning the Battle of the Bulge.

[IamHussain]

Thanks.
I have lost quite a bit of weight by cutting down on sweets :(

[MagisterLudi]

Pakistani Information Minister Sherry Rehman did say Wednesday that the lone surviving... was a Pakistani citizen, after weeks of refusing to confirm India's claims on his nationality."

GPI made a bet that the Pakistani nationality of the surviving guy would be denied by Pakistan,
GPI -- You lost. You must now begin every post with "I am usually wrong, but my opinion is..."
Now habibi--- yallah.

[Cynth]

I wish this article provides more details. If this action is based on the appearances of the flight attendants, then criticism is justified. If it's based on safety concerns, then I don't see an issue with it. I've been concerned with the fitness of some flight attendants on US-based flights over the years. Recently, I was on a flight on which the flight attendant was so overweight that her hip hit my shoulder each time she passed me in the aisle (She was average height, I'm slim, and I was squarely in my seat). In an emergency situation, I'm unsure that she would have the speed, stamina, and other physical qualities required for assisting passengers, despite her knowledge and training.

(And, please, no sophomoric replies like some of the one's I've seen under this article thread. It's lame and it adds nothing to the discussion.)

[GPI]

Here are the closing remarks of the Judge, incidentally a woman, who decided the case of these 10 flight attendants:

If keeping in view this kind of job
performance, the Air Hostesses are asked to battle their bulge, control their
girth and keep at desired level the affluence of their body weight as per the
norms, it is not understood how it is in any way unfair, unreasonable and
insulting to their womanhood. It is not the Air Hostesses alone which are put
to these rigours. The other Members of the flying crew are also required to
maintain a particular weight standard. If by preservance, the snails could reach
the ark, why can't these worthy ladies stand on and turn the scale.
For the foregoing reasons, I find no merit in the writ petitions, the
same are dismissed but without burdening further with costs.

[MagisterLudi]

Pakistani Information Minister Sherry Rehman did say Wednesday that the lone surviving... was a Pakistani citizen, after weeks of refusing to confirm India's claims on his nationality."

GPI made a bet that the Pakistani nationality of the surviving guy would be denied by Pakistan,
GPI -- You lost. You must now begin every post with "I am usually wrong, but my opinion is..."
Now habibi--- yallah.

[Overd0g]

A good model for US airlines to adopt. Along with mandatory bikinis.

[mytwosense]

Yeah, forget India's more urgent concerns. Get that Supreme Court onboard solving the weight problem, and now.

[LolaP]

well, you know.. if there's an emergency you might want a stewardess who's fit enough to handle it efficiently

[mbh78213]

What I'd like to know is how overweight are we talking? Putting on weight can mean everything from "not model thin" to "morbidly obese." Just being curious.

[rabiddog6708]

Air India is a horrible airline. They cancel lots of flights and do little or nothing to fix schedule changes. Their call center reps are arrogant and rude and will hang up on customers. I work in the travel industry and have had many dealings with these guys and the among the worst of the worst....right up there with United Airlines and Air France.

[Amennyc]

I wonder which dairy US flight attendants come from?

[Hare]

What is next?Flying stewards fired because they had their 26th birthday while working.

[gevan]

No more jumbo jets for India!