Cabin Crew interview process ended based on weight - discrimination?

[CityCommuter]

I feel sorry for a friend who has always wanted to be a flight attendant / part of cabin crew for as long as I can remember. She applied and got as far as the first interview phase having already submitted a detailed application form. The form states that 'weight must be in proportion to height'.

She believes that the interview panel judged her when she walked into the room by the way they looked at her (UK size 18, height 5'5"). Obviously weight wasn't mentioned but she didn't get approval for the next interview phase. She thinks it's discrimination on their part and that it shouldn't matter even if she was a size 24! She doesn't even look like a size 18 btw but more like a 14. I'd like to advise her to lose a few pounds but can't as she has always been very sensitive to any weight related conversation even if talking about someone else! What advise would you give her?

@ahoyshipmates

Airlines also have to consider weight for another reason. Fuel economy. The heavier the crew, the more fuel the aircraft will use. On a flight-by-flight basis it wouldn't be a lot, but over someone's entire working career it would add up to a considerable additional cost.

Never heard of that being a recruitment consideration for cabin crew where I worked but I’d certainly agree with many previous posters that crew working space (doors, galleys, jumpseats, even the supposedly “secret bunks” , if fitted) was tight and access to space was often awkward, so yes, size would matter.

@User3253465621

I saw some viral videos of "secret" bunk beds where cabin crew get to sleep for a few hours on long haul flights. They were absolutely tiny compartments usually tucked around twisty flights of stairs. They feel claustrophobic for a size 8, and would possibly be a nightmare for a size 24.

Ex cabin crew :). In the jumbos the crew bunks are in the tail of the plane.

Op tell your friend it’s a shit job anyway! Well, I thought it was. Bad money, bad pensions, not enough time on stay overs to explore, lots of bad attitude from passengers, pain wearing hats and heels etc.

@MilduraS

I wanted to be cabin crew when I was younger but I stopped growing at 5ft. They've lowered the height restriction a bit but even so, I can't comfortably close an overhead locker on a plane and (I assume) couldn't comfortably reach other equipment in an emergency. It's discrimination but for a genuine reason. The weight is a similar issue.

I had a phase where I wanted to be with Qantas, but was 2cm too tall! I do understand why though so just moved on.

I'm about the same size as her, I really doubt she looks like she's a size 14. Agree with others that it's about physically moving around inside the plane

If I remember rightly, one of the tests at assessments is seeing if you can get a shoulder harness and lap belt type seatbelt done up.

Out of curiosity OP which airline was it?

The last time I flew with Easy jet I noticed that several of the cabin crew were, on appearance considerably larger than most of their colleagues and it was really noticeable as we are so used to seeing slimmer crew.

Just wondering if maybe the low cost airlines are not so fussy in their requirements.

Well she can slim down if she really wants the job. My relative was turned down for being too short, not a lot she could do about that!

I don’t see that as discrimination it’s part of the job to be able to work in very small spaces . Just like someone with IBS applying to be a postman/woman they wouldn’t be suitable for the job.

@ahoyshipmates

Airlines also have to consider weight for another reason. Fuel economy. The heavier the crew, the more fuel the aircraft will use. On a flight-by-flight basis it wouldn't be a lot, but over someone's entire working career it would add up to a considerable additional cost.

I’m surprised it took 4 pages for someone to finally mention fuel economy. That’s directly where my brain first went and then the lightbulb clicked when PP mentioned shimmying past carts, etc.

She knows what to do and she knows what size she is, so you don't have to advise her do you?

If and when she wants the job enough she will lose weight to suit their requirements.

Most people here are just stating the obvious anyway.

It's always been the same there are height restrictions too.
She would have heard about that in training or during her college course.
Maybe she should train to be a rep.

Of course it's discrimination. For everyone saying it's just about safety - weight aside, you also have to be conventionally attractive, what is it about having a symmetrical face and lipstick on that makes you more capable in an emergency?

But anyway it's something everyone knows and it's not illegal, so it's just the way it is. Onwards and upwards, she can find different job.

Isn't it the same in the police force too?

Of course it's discrimination

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@Anythingelseintheboxpandora

Of course it's discrimination

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I'm not sure why there's an argument! It's very obviously discrimination.

discrimination
(dɪskrɪmɪneɪʃən)
1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Discrimination is the practice of treating one person or group of people less fairly or less well than other people or groups.

The Equality Act makes some sorts of discrimination unlawful (based around protected characteristics). But most discrimination is fine, and often desirable (including, I would suggest, that described in the original post!)

@GrandDuchessRomanov

Isn't it the same in the police force too?

Yep. There is a huge list of conditions that will exclude you from becoming a cop, and being above a certain BMI is one of them.

It's why I don't bother with roles like that, I was underweight for many years, and due to a change in weight over the last 4 years have fluctuated between a 14-20 I have made dietary and excercise changes and even when I try my hardest just dont drop below a 14-16 now unless I were to literally starve myself

due to a change in health issues**

AFAIK it’s always been a thing for cabin crew. I was cc many years ago and a cc friend of mine with a tendency to put on weight always dreaded being put on the official Fat List.

As a pp said, you need to be reasonably slim in order to squeeze - often!- past trolleys in the aisle, etc.

If she wants it badly enough, she’ll find a way to lose the pounds.

Have a couple of friends formerly in this work. The largest would be about a size 16 and on the short side of height.

Remember crew rest areas on long haul flights are tiny spaces to get into. They certainly don't sit up all flight waiting to serve.

The phrasing is a little bit off: "in proportion" makes it look like an aesthetics thing which would be wrong.

If they instead had things like "must be able to reach this benchmark on a bleep test", "must have a BMI within the healthy range", or "must be able to pass through a gap Xcm wide", it would be acceptable in my eyes.

She's deluded if she thinks any airline will hire someone significantly overweight. Apart from aesthetics there are very obvious health and safety risks.

Its not discrimination really, as its well known that airlines have always required fairly slim and fit men and women for cabin crew, and this is a good policy I think.Most big airlines like to keep to certain images all over the world.

It’s not employment discrimination because it’s her fitness for purpose for the inflight role. She is not of the required fitness level but perhaps could possibly try an airport position instead where there is more room for manoeuvre?

Part of the application says 'weight in proportion to height'
A male relative who is 6ft2 applied. He was 10stone and rejected as he was not in the standard range- ie underweight.

So it goes both ways. Just part of them wanting healthy people