“....the attractiveness of the stewardesses has never been important to me. Not even their “helpfulness” is an issue mainly because (particularly on long flights) I tend to get up and roam around and,thus,can get anything I want for myself.”
Okay, so you’re one of those who gets an aisle seat and stands in the galley and talks to us. I always enjoyed those friendly types, but when there’s work to be done, these big gals just aren’t capable. It isn’t about “attractiveness.”
They can’t bend down for anything in the bottom of the cart, you can’t get past them anywhere (the working areas are small.) Therefore, many can’t even work in the aisles. They have to stay in the galley.
I want to see one of them help you in an emergency evacuation. I’ve been to many annual emergency training sessions, and the big gals can’t bend (stoop) down to pull the manual infaltion handle for the inflatable slide, which is located at the base of the door once it’s opened. I’ve seen the training instructors just shake their heads...but they have to pass them....the rules.
Besides, I don’t think a first class or business pax, paying the amount they do, should have to get up to get water. Count the first class seats in a 777 or 747....10-14. If three F/A’s, assigned to first class, can’t handle that on a 14 hour flight...and have to grumble because someone asked them for something, that’s sad. And I saw it on my recent flight....from a big F/A each time.
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Veda Shook is not amused by the focus on looks and youth.
"I find it very offensive," said Shook, international vice president for the Association of Flight Attendants, the world's largest labor union for cabin crew members, representing more than 55,000 employees at 20 U.S. airlines.
"When a carrier views their selection process as a beauty pageant, it's really a setback to our profession on a global scale."
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I would think a dwindling number of travelers willing to patronize US carriers due to poor flight attendant service would be an even bigger setback to her "profession" on a global scale, but that's just me... ;)