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Discrimination on the runway: Delta's uniform sizing
Delta is under fire from its new partner Northwest Airlines due to what they claim is weight discrimination. Delta's signature bright red dress, which debuted on the NY runways in 2005 and hit the airways in 2006, only comes in up to size 18."Red is a color that attracts attention and someone, somewhere has made a decision that they don't want to attract attention to someone in a dress that's larger than a size 18," says Patricia Reller, vice chair of the Northwest flight attendants' union's grievance committee. "I'm very offended by it," she adds.
The committee also filed complaints in regards to Delta's "requirement that flight attendants who wear orthopedic shoes must wear slacks and not a skirt or dress. Those that wear the orthopedic shoes must obtain a doctor's note," according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Designer of the red dress, Richard Tyler (pictured), was reportedly envisioning the flights of yore, when everyone dressed up to fly, and well ... apparently when flight attendants wore heels and were under size 18. Delta, whose flight attendants have no union, claims that there are plenty of options for fuller figured employees, including slacks, skirts, and other dresses.
Because Northwest's flight attendants have a union, this merger may mean a lot of changes for Delta.
Check out this video of Delta giving the Northwest Airlines employees their fittings:
"We rolled out the red carpet in Minneapolis / St. Paul to celebrate the completion of our style clinics for our Northwest flight attendants. The clinics gave attendants a first hand look and feel of Delta's uniforms: The Richard Tyler Collection. Celebrity designer, Richard Tyler, was on-hand to provide custom style consultations to the flight attendants." -- the YouTube caption, via DeltaAirLines.
Style clinics?? What do you think?
Further reading: Our resident flight attendant Heather Poole has "a thing for airline uniforms." Read here!
Gallery: 10 things that will mess up your vacation
[via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
Filed under: Airlines, News, Women's Travel
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Richard Jul 10th 2009 5:42PM
Northwest seemed to hire their FA's by telephone.
jay Jul 14th 2009 8:13PM
since I fly all the time and am well aware of the narrowness of the isles, I think a size 18 is too big to fly anyway. Think about it, there passing out the snacks and drinks and if you lucky enough to have th ilse seat, you have that big butt in your face
Dennis Jul 11th 2009 9:19AM
"you have that big butt in your face"
CAN I SIGN UP FOR THAT SERVICE?
Angiebaby Jul 11th 2009 9:59AM
I'd rather face a furious Hillary Clinton than a disgruntled NW Airlines flight attendant. I'm sure they don't offer combat pay.
Arthur Frampton Jul 11th 2009 11:47AM
I wonder where "Jay" flies to. Not school, that's obvious. He can't even spell "Aisle". What a dope.
Ron Jul 11th 2009 1:02PM
Since a flight attendents first job is safety I wouldn't want to be dependent on someone larger than a size 18. Getting down the aisles is one thing, getting between rows to help someone in a window seat is an even tighter fit. I started flying when they had both height and weight restrictions for cabin crew. My vote would be to return to some restrictions in favor of people that can react and move quickly in an emergency.
WS Jul 11th 2009 1:48PM
It's not size 18 that it goes up to, it's actually what would be equivalent to a U.S. size 6.
Michelle Jul 11th 2009 1:57PM
Here is the deal, wieght and balance of the aircraft! FAA says people wiegh 170 lbs! So if over that you must not be human!
at Jul 11th 2009 1:20AM
Wow. Size 18 is pretty big. And some NWA flight attendants need them bigger than that? I can't imagine someone wearing that dress in size 28! Sounds like their union is trying to stir something up as they go on with their merger process.
Tina Jul 11th 2009 10:58AM
Gee, for you and the flight attendant who commented about a size 18 being too big, then to the both of you I must be a whale. I wear a size 18 and think I still look pretty hot. Of course to a pencil who may wear a size 2, I guess I am obese in their minds. Yes there are styles I would dare not wear only because I know it wouldn't look good on me; but from the looks of this red dress, it's a wrap around. So what's the big deal!
Sheila Jul 11th 2009 11:39AM
I work for an airline and personally, if you can't walk down the aisle without twisting your body from one set of seats to the other so that you're hips can fit through then you shouldn't be a flight attendant. I personally know a couple of girls that one got through training and one didn't because of size and I thought that the one that got through shouldn't have and that the other one should have but it wasn't up to me. It's just like when you're sitting in a seat that a person really needs 2 seats "for safety and comfort" and not just a seat belt extension and you're squished the whole flight (been there) because they take up more then their seat space (and I'm not just saying heavy set people, I'm also talking big guys with broad shoulders that go into the next seat (been there too). It's uncomfortable for everyone. So basically, if you can't walk down the aisle without twisting your body or walking sideways then you shouldn't be a FA.
L Jul 11th 2009 8:58AM
Not everyone can wear the red dress! Some body shapes under size 18 do not look good in that uniform piece! That is why there are many uniform pieces to select from. I am glad the dress does not come in a larger size. Get over it!!
JC Jul 11th 2009 8:56AM
Sounds like NW could save some fuel costs by making a few changes itself!
Marianne Jul 11th 2009 2:05PM
LOL thats hilarious. They keep increasing the cost of fares. Maybe they need to shed a few lbs here.
wolfskyesong Jul 11th 2009 9:02AM
Holy Cow! Pun intended! If the uniforms came any bigger than that the flight attendants couldn't fit down the aisle!
j Jul 11th 2009 9:05AM
I am a flight attendant and size 18 is big and if they want bigger I honestly speak on behalf of flight attedants when your sitting next to a big flight attendant and there is no room on the jump seat for you and they have to buckle in with seat belt extensions its a safety issue the faa and the airlines need to get over being afraid to approach some of the larger flight attendant and ask if they assist them to lose the weight because its scary sometimes when you see a flight attedant have to walk sideways down the aisle and they couldnt exit out an emergency exit window .shame on nwa 18 is big enough ..the job is about safety first focus on safety and not about getting a red dress in size 30
Steve Jul 11th 2009 9:46AM
Good post,I couldent have said It better...Steve D
VB Jul 11th 2009 11:17AM
SOLUTION MAKE THE PLANES BIGGER AND SAFER. HOW DARE YOU PEOPLE CRITICIZE LARGE SIZE WOMEN. AS IF SMALLER IS BETTER. PLEASE!! AND YES I'M A LARGE SIZE WOMAN THAT CANNOT FIT INTO A SIZE 18. SO WHAT!! I HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME THE EMBARRASSMENT OF REQUESTING AN EXTENSION. AND I HAVE HAD SOME FLIGHT ATTENDANT (WOMEN) WHO ASKED LOUDLY IS THIS FOR YOU DANGLING IT IN FRONT OF MY FACE. LIKE SHE IS SO MUCH BETTER. MORE POWER TO THE BIG PEOPLE!!!!
Nicholle Jul 11th 2009 11:58AM
I usually side with the bigger girls since I'm "full figured" :P but in this case I would agree that anything over 18 is probably too large to be a FA in the first place. I'm a 16 and going down those tiny aisles isnt the most comfortable thing. I can't imagine going for the job of a FA at my current size. How the heck would I help others when I can't get up and down the aisles and to be honest If I was any bigger I wouldnt even fit in the seats. As it is I dont have too much extra space in my seat. Those jump seats for the FAs are TINY! Maybe the ones complaining have never been on a plane!
E Jul 11th 2009 1:05PM
You sound like a disgruntled Delta FA. Face it its discrimination "plane" and simple. Guy FA's are big also and they have to turn sideways down the aisles sometimes and there are lots of larger passengers. Should we not let the male fa's or larger passengers fly as well. You save only the thinner ones first I see. I rather see a size 20+ in the red dress with a smile on her face than a smaller size with the scowl you must wear. Dont forget you forgot to insult the blacks, gays and arabs to just name a few. But I am sure you'll post your hatered somewhere else as well