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Air India: No overweight crew on our planes
The discussion on whether overweight people should be treated differently on aircraft continues. Earlier this week, an airline consultant queried by Bloomberg suggested that airlines charging their passengers by their weight may be the next logical step in cost cutting in the industry.Many including myself believe that idea to be rather far fetched (especially in the United States) and a surprisingly healthy discussion has blossomed in the comments section of my earlier post.
Perhaps I underestimated the tenacity of the airlines. Courts in New Delhi, India, just upheld a ruling allowing Air India, the nation's flagship carrier to ground flight crew who were overweight. They actually implemented the rule two years ago, telling employees that they had to trim up or be moved to ground duty, but the decision has been wading through court ever since. As of Wednesday, however, the rule is official. Unlike the US, apparently India doesn't have any laws against discriminating against weight.
Despite the recent ruckus about weight and cost savings in the industry, the roots of Air India's decision seem to lie not in fuel savings but rather in making their flight attendants easier on the eyes. According to the Canadian Press, "Air India has tried in the past few years to change a public perception of its cabin staff as tired, unfriendly and inefficient". Luckily, we don't have that problem in the States.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Heather Jun 6th 2008 3:59PM
Thank god we don't have that problem in the states!
Grace Campbell Jun 6th 2008 7:17PM
Was she talking about "no problem in the state," meaning no overweight flight attendants/ stewardesses in the U.S? Give me a break! I have seen some porky flight attendants in America.
es Jun 8th 2008 3:09AM
This is appalling not only because of the discriminatory aspect, but also because the idea of an overweight person is automatically being associated with "tired, unfriendly, and inefficient." Shame on Air India!
Roy L Jun 8th 2008 1:46PM
Appalling? Not at all...Discrimination is in the eye of the beholder. Fat people are usually happy when someone is around them. They have to be happy. They are not alone anymore.
eva Jun 8th 2008 1:47PM
I think this is discrimination against peoples rights.