Deck chairs on the good ship Emirates
It appears that the upper management of EK are tinkering with the deck chairs on the vessel as a response to the poor observed and reported performance of the airline. Demanding strict adherence to dress standards for the pilots and cabin crew will not increase the Skytrax rating, attract good quality applicants, create on-time departures and, most importantly, keep the airline safe. Indeed morale will only be further eroded as the first sailors are hung from the yard arm for not decorating themselves with the correct war paint.
Interestingly managers at all levels in EK are never keen to use the expertise of their crew to help them right the ship. Often people do tell them things that would genuinely help fix the problems but they are written off as whingeing. If they do ask for suggestions then they usually ignore them because they cost money and I'm not talking wages. The culture of 'yes' in the airline favoured by the founding fathers, also works against them. As the truth is continually suppressed at lower levels, the bosses who could actually implement change for the better, never find out until the ratings plummet or worse.
The airline will not get better because of grooming standards. The real reasons are many and varied but they all cost money. Until they're fixed then crew will leave, applicants won't, aircraft will depart 20 minutes late and so on.
I believe cabin crew want consistency, the chance for a career, potentially a provident fund and maybe maternity leave. Pilots want consistency in upgrade policy, a proactive safety department, an FTL scheme that is applied with the intent of safety first not money and decent rosters. I'm not that sure what some of the other groups will want but there will be issues and they will cost money.
One thing is certain though, letters about grooming standards will make no difference at all.