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Old 14th May 2005, 17:46
  #21 (permalink)  
 
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What is your definition of a 'Lard-Arse' though?
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Old 14th May 2005, 19:55
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At the danger of moving the debate on....

BMI (that's Body Mass Index) is probably a better measure than absolute girth. Equally, when (if???) you go to the gym, they're likely to have a chart which shows the healthy range of weights for a given height. For example, try this link:

Height against Weight

Something on these lines could be used as a sensible basis for recruitment. Weight in proportion to height is used for pilots (certainly at the initial medical), why not cabin crew? I'm 6'1" and 180lbs without getting paranoid about what I eat. If I can do it, anyone can.
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Old 14th May 2005, 22:48
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When I joined, weight and hight HAD to be in proportion!!!!
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Old 15th May 2005, 20:04
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Lard arse-Somebody who does not have weight in proportion to their height,in laymans terms FAT!

I agree with the other comments,weight SHOULD be in proportion to height..Airlines cannot be "weightist"However from a safety point of view some of the crew flying around these days coudnt get their big ol butts out of the overwing exit on an A320

Also we have to remember that the airline industry was founded on glamour and i know it aint like it used to be but people still like to see a bit of eye candy when they take a trip..Sorry to be so controversial but its true!!!
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Old 15th May 2005, 22:16
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Hello all,

Interesting point with the BMI, however I have always particularly disliked this system.

I think technically if you put the England World Cup winning side on the scales they would all come out as 'clinically obese'.

Surely a simple test as to whether you can perform your duties effectively should be what is used?
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Old 16th May 2005, 02:54
  #26 (permalink)  
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Overweight Cabin Crew

This discussion reminds me of a crew I was with once. The Cabin Manager and R1P f/a were both very chunky (not necessarily obese, he was a big rugby player type, and she had very wide hips). They had to share a two-seater crew seat, and couldn't fit, so at the last minute the CM asked a slimmer f/a to swap with the R1P.

The point of the story being that it's all very well to talk about height to weight ratios, but you don't have to be obese to take up a lot of space. Maybe they should have a tester seat at recruitment sessions?
 
Old 16th May 2005, 02:54
  #27 (permalink)  
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It is fine going by the charts, however....

I played prop forward for Edinburgh, I am big boned and my upper body is large...at a well discussed Gulf airline, I was weighed constantly...umpteen years as crew...it was a case of ..."but this is what the chart says..."

It does not make you not good at your job just because you have a few extra lbs...There are of course reasons as mentioned earlier in this thread, but some companies tend to be a tad OTT over this.

Cheers

HR
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Old 16th May 2005, 05:05
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Don't seem to have much of a problem with this at Thai or Singapore.
(Love those uniforms )
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Old 16th May 2005, 08:44
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weigh ins

I agree with Rae

At another (or maybe the same) well discussed Gulf airline, your weight was constantly measured and no matter how you looked ('overweight' or not), if the computer said you were overweight, you were overweight.

End of story.

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Old 18th May 2005, 05:29
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Obviously not working hard enough .... Gone are the days in aviation of the 60's glam when you had to practically be model thin with great looks!!
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Old 19th May 2005, 18:39
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Last year, during SEP training a new guy had to be fired (or better, made redundant) because, despite he had been successful during the entire training course, passed all exams etc, he couldn't fit in the jumpseat seatbelt/harness.
How embarassing, poor thing.
But he was only a victim of the equal opportunities system.

Now BA state on their recruitment website that, as a mandatory requirement, the day of the interview you'll have to be able to demonstrate that you can fasten your seatbelt without the use of an extention!!!

I had the pleasure to fly with this crew member once....really a sweet person, but sooooo big that only 1/3 of my left thigh was actually on the double crew seat (and I am a UK size 6!!!) I had to balance myself the whole time. The flight was ok, but what about if I had had to brace?
Ground staff wouldn't allocate a seat at an overwing exit to a passenger of an equal size....

As for the "C & D Syndrome" I think I will have to join the club!!!

FWB
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Old 20th May 2005, 19:36
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Thanks for sharing dungfunnel. It is difficult to know which part of your post is the most offensive - your attitude, opinions, spelling or grammar. You have managed to achieve so much in so few words - impressive.
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Old 20th May 2005, 22:07
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Well dungfunnel, love to know what you look like ... no oil painting, I'm sure!!! I'm not one of the larger girls and I would never of dated someone so into himself, what a joke!! ... you need an attitude adjustment!! Grow up darling!! And by the way, there probably not dating you for you, I'll give you the tip!! Competitive ... get in the real world, sounds like you're on the 'Milan catwalk', PLEASE!!
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Old 21st May 2005, 05:32
  #34 (permalink)  
 
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Lets face facts here.

NO paying passenger likes to look at overweight cabin crew.
Clearly that is why the asian airlines don't have any, and the cabin service on these asian carriers is generally second to none.

However, being slightly overweight is not generally a safety issue.
Of one particular concern however was a female CC on one recent flight who was very pregnant.
She had great trouble getting down the narrow isle, could not push (by herself) the booze/food cart and, absolutely could not reach up and close an overhead locker.

Absolutely useless in any type of an emergency situation, yet here she was on duty.

Oh yes, the airline....Delta.
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Old 21st May 2005, 11:46
  #35 (permalink)  
 
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dungfunnel, according to Roger Mellie all 'Kakpipe Cosmonauts', should be decaffed. Hows your collection of fartleberries coming along? Tw@t.

TightSlot, for a moderator, I find your user name as offensive as dungfunnel. Have you had surgery?

Human Factor, great link. All you lard arses out there, click on that link and explore the whole website.

Thought for the day..

'Nothing tastes as good as thin feels'
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Old 21st May 2005, 13:20
  #36 (permalink)  
 
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TightSlot,

I do agree with your concern about Dungfunnel's attitude and opinion but i have to disagree with your concern about his grammar and spelling.

As a moderator you know that Pprune is a worldwide forum. A direct result of this worldwide status is that there are people posting on this forum whose first language is not english. With your status as a moderator i find your comments on somebody's grammar and spelling offensive.

Regards, FT
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Old 21st May 2005, 17:20
  #37 (permalink)  
 
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Oh Dear

Flying Torquewrench if Dungfunnel chooses to post offensive opinions in an offensive manner (twice) then he/she can expect to deal with a little roughhouse. You may find on reading the follow up post that his/her command of English is rather more comprehensive than you had at first imagined. I am aware of the international nature of those posting here, but it is kind of you to remind me. It is regrettable that you have chosen to take offence, and I would suggest that your indignation is somewhat misplaced. Still, it's your dime...

dungfunnel will obviously be much happier in jetblast than here, and therefore his/her right to post in this forum have been removed.

As usual, 411A's post is both controversial and uncomfortably accurate - now why don't some of you work on an answer to him. If the tone of this thread doesn't improve from here on in, then we'll close it down.

Last edited by TightSlot; 23rd May 2005 at 11:22.
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Old 21st May 2005, 19:36
  #38 (permalink)  
 
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TightSlot,

In almost every thread on this forum there seems to be somebody who finds it necessary to comment on spelling and grammar mistakes. This is annoying because it sometimes destroys a interesting subject and starts another fight about spelling and grammar mistakes. Therefore it is a shame that a moderator gives the example by doing it aswell.

But i have taken your point and indeed after reading Dungfunnel's follow up post it is apparent that his english is of a higher standard than in his first post.

Back to topic.

411A,

In several airlines when the cabin crew informs management that they are pregnant they are taken of flying duty with immediate effect. Thats the same in my company and the girls are given office duty. This to protect child and mother.

Indeed you are right that paying passengers don't want to see a overweight member of cabin crew. Most pax still expect cabin crew to be female and beautiful. Asian carriers got strict rules for cabin crew.

EVA AIR is advertising for cabin crew and the requirements are:
Female - Single - under the age of 24 and have their weight in proportion to their height.

No offense to older cabin crew but some airlines can follow this example. I have flown NorthWest several times from AMS-DET-AMS and if i have to guess the youngest cabin crew was between 35 and 40 years old. However that you need to be single is a little bit over the top.

FT.
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Old 22nd May 2005, 00:46
  #39 (permalink)  
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Overweight Cabin Crew

It's interesting that fellow cabin crew perpetuate the narrow minded views of passengers "who want to look at attractive flight attendants".
What matters is being proficient in our jobs and professional (in both our coduct and grooming).
It is one thing to demand a certain level of health and fitness from prospective cabin crew, but openly advertising for young, slim attractive, female flight attendants is the type of discrimination that belongs in history books.
 
Old 22nd May 2005, 03:19
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<<It is one thing to demand a certain level of health and fitness from prospective cabin crew, but openly advertising for young, slim attractive, female flight attendants is the type of discrimination that belongs in history books.>>

You are very wrong, EAAFA.
The desire of some airlines to hire only the prettiest and slenderest female CC (and even perhaps...male ) will not change anytime soon.
You see, the CC are the face of the airline to the paying passenger, and if that face is growing fat and ugly, those paying pax will go to another airline, for the pretty gals (or guys...depending), provided the fares are about equal.
It really is that simple, as many asian airlines have proved, time and again.

Take travel USA-Asia for example.
You could take UAL or NWA ( rather senior routes for both) and be served by grandma, or you could take CAL, SIA, CX...etc, and see a pretty face, and superb service.

Pax aren't blind.
Now, if the older gals and guys keep themselves in shape, it might indeed help...but it will never replace the 20 somethings that serve up the booze.
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