>>If providing trousers and keeping crew warm means less sickness and crew taking sick leave, surely the airlines would like that?! Any airline that puts "image" ahead of the well-being of crew should be ashamed of themselves!!<<
IMHO wearing skirts doesn't have to mean taking time off sick! I went through school having to wear a wraparound kilt and ankle socks and my mother always told me not to worry if my legs were cold because as long as I wore a nice warm coat, hood and gloves I'd be fine - and she was right!
I think any airline that puts the comfort of staff above its image and the preferences of its customers should be ashamed of themselves.