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AIBU?

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Original poster

Cabin Crew interview process ended based on weight - discrimination?

361 replies

CityCommuter · 07/07/2021 22:35

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?

OP posts:
TheFoundations · 08/07/2021 08:23

@LucilleTheVampireBat

It's perfectly possible to be overweight and fit. But it's less likely.

KatherineJaneway · 08/07/2021 08:24

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.

if she was that keen, then she would know 100% that her weight would count against her. It wouldn't come as such a 'shock'.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/07/2021 08:25

There are all sorts of reasonablenrestrictions on all jobs.
Age, height, weight, sex, disabilities....
There are allowances in law for reasonable ones and genuine occupational requirements.
If you cannot do the job for any reason and there is no way to adapt it (no one will redo planes...) there is nothing to be done. People need to think before applying. Sometimes wanting an adjustment just isn't reasonable.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 08/07/2021 08:26

If this is a “fatist” thread then the pandemic has shown that being over ideal weight let alone clinically obese is a personal danger not just because of elevated Covid fatalities and drain on NHS resourcing. Look at the USA and other high percentage obese populations and the correlation with their Covid data fatalities and long Covid data. Can’t cheat science no matter how much you try to dress it up with body positivity inclusiveness - which arguably does not address the underlying problem but normalises it.

Dinosaurballoon · 08/07/2021 08:26

It’s upsetting for your friend but in the nicest possible way this may be a great motivation to lose some extra.

It is VERY hard to do this job at even the slightest bit overweight. When I started I was size 10/12 no problems. After the kids pushing a 16 oh my god trying to get the jumpseat straps on was a STRUGGLE. Not to mention squeezing past things etc you do feel like you take up so much more room in the galley or aisle it’s mortifying. Weight came off again pronto.

So it’s not them being horrible it is literally just a fact of the job it’s easier (and safer in various aspects such as the seat or overwings doors etc) to be slimmer.

I really hope next summer she will be where she dreams to be. I know you want to help, can you suggest a fitness programme together or something? Keto would help her shift the first lot really quick.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/07/2021 08:26

I am bit suspect of op's disappearance tho

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/07/2021 08:29

A friend of mine worked for a major airline for years. When she went for the interview they got them to put a case in an overhead locker in the room. She said you could see them checking their bodies out as they did it.

Were they supposed to turn away or something? You know what would happen if I size 28 was putting something's intonoverhead locker? 5.6" btw. Customer would have belly resting on their shoulder!😂 #ohsosexy

Gingerkittykat · 08/07/2021 08:31

The airline should be clear in their application process exactly what weight and height in proportion means so that only people they will consider will get through to interview stage. If they mean a healthy BMI then they should state that.

If your friend had been denied a ground role or office job because of her weight I would have said that was wrong.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/07/2021 08:31

Size 18! Not 28!

Dinosaurballoon · 08/07/2021 08:33

No matter how clear they put the requirements though people will still ignore them. Every initial course I’ve been on at least 2 of the trainees couldn’t swim at all. One of the main things is ‘can swim at least 25m unaided’ . I get it I really do as people are just desperate to do the job.

forinborin · 08/07/2021 08:35

@BIoodyStupidJohnson

Call me cynical but I’m intrigued to know which airline is a) recruiting right now and b) holding face-to-face interviews.
Yes, this. Massive redundancies expected in the sector, cabin crew will be the first in line.
Bluedeblue · 08/07/2021 08:35

She should apply as male, and at the interview say she identifies as female. Box ticked. Job done.

TableFlowerss · 08/07/2021 08:35

@Bluedeblue

She should apply as male, and at the interview say she identifies as female. Box ticked. Job done.
🤣 I think you could be right!!!
SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/07/2021 08:37

@Bluedeblue

She should apply as male, and at the interview say she identifies as female. Box ticked. Job done.
That's still an issue because I've never saw a fat or not easy on eye male crew too
Bluedeblue · 08/07/2021 08:37

Joking aside, she wouldn't get in to the Police either, as she'd fail the fitness test. You could cry discrimination, but she's not going to do well wearing the kit that weighs 1.5 stone, and trying to chase people down the street. It is what it is.

Scoobygang7 · 08/07/2021 08:37

I remember once reading a job advert for cabin crew with the person spec including no visible scars. Size I can understand due to h&s but the scar issue annoyed me.

Dinosaurballoon · 08/07/2021 08:37

I saw Ryanair and wizz air were recruiting for UK bases recently possibly one of those she went to?

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/07/2021 08:37

@Dinosaurballoon

No matter how clear they put the requirements though people will still ignore them. Every initial course I’ve been on at least 2 of the trainees couldn’t swim at all. One of the main things is ‘can swim at least 25m unaided’ . I get it I really do as people are just desperate to do the job.
They are not desperate for a job. They think they will be an exception
JustDanceAddict · 08/07/2021 08:39

I should imagine the parameters in weight and height are there for practical and safety reasons.
I’m just under 5ft4 - could reach a locker in small heels but it wouldn’t be comfortable.

Dinosaurballoon · 08/07/2021 08:40

“They are not desperate for a job. They think they will be an exception”

Also true yes

anon12345678901 · 08/07/2021 08:40

It's not discrimination and surely she knew that from her height and dress size, she is not fitting the criteria of being in proportion. I'm sorry, but if she would like the job then she can use that as motivation to lose weight. I do know larger people who are actually very fit, but their larger frame would mean they could not fit down the aircraft aisles with ease. This would be needed for cabin crew, as they have to squeeze past the trolley at times.
It's simply a requirement of the role for weight to be in proportion to height, this isn't hidden. And it's common across most airlines.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/07/2021 08:43

She could go and get a job as the attendant on National Express coaches. Grin

I'm a touch over 5'5" and size 14 - 12 on a good day. I'm overweight. Your friend is in denial, OP.

Also, re overweight HCPs - years ago we had a wonderful practice nurse who was extremely obese. She was, however, very sensibly open about it and when she had to give advice about food and nutrition would always ruefully point out that she herself was clearly struggling to follow this advice, but it was still important. Right approach.

ohthatbloodycat · 08/07/2021 08:43

If I was interested in this as a career, I'd have started losing weight long ago!
It's always been the case that cabin crew have to keep their weight down. It can't honestly come as a surprise!

Noterook · 08/07/2021 08:43

There are plenty of reasons why maintaining a healthy weight is important for cabin crew beyond vanity. There are a lot of small spaces on an aircraft, and a lot of the kit used in emergencies requires a level of agility. Also if you're sat in your seat and they need to get to the overhead lockers or serve food etc, do you really want someone's tummy hanging in your lap or face? If she's serious about it as a career she needs to lose weight.

MurielSpriggs · 08/07/2021 08:47

@SoupDragon

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.

But she isn't being treated less fairly or less well. There are reasons the job can't be done by people who are very short or, in this case, fat. There are many jobs that can't be done by people who are X, Y or Z for various reasons.

Hi @SoupDragon,

She's being treated less well - she's not being offered the job - because she's fat. (If we believe the post.) It's discrimination. Equally people without qualifications get discriminated against, people who can't speak the right language, people who don't have the right experience. It's all discrimination within the definition of that word.

But it's not unlawful discrimination within the Equality Act.