Air India flight attendants have complained to new body mass weight tests that they will be subjected to before reporting for flights by uniform police known as ‘grooming associates.’
The cabin crew union is concerned that the inspections will have a negative influence on a crew member’s mental health just as they are ready to embark on critical safety responsibilities.
Air India’s Inflight Services Department revealed the new weight checks in a letter aimed at ensuring that flight attendants adhere to strict new dress and grooming standards.
“Cabin crew who are well-dressed and well-groomed according to uniform standards and regulations, present a positive and professional image of the airline,” the internal memo noted.
The airline’s cabin crew association has complained to the new guidelines, claiming that non-healthcare professionals will be checking cabin personnel’s body mass index and weight. An yearly weigh-in at a medical office is already required of Indian cabin personnel.
Air India fired nine flight attendants for being overweight in 2009, ostensibly because their form could “impair agility,” and six years later threatened to fire 125 more for the same reason. For the same reason, Air India grounded 57 flight attendants in 2017.
In February 2020, a Maylasian court approved Maylasian Airlines’ decision to fire a flight attendant for being one kilogramme over the carrier’s permitted weight limit.
Before reporting for a flight, the airline’s cabin crew is inspected by Uniform Standards Officers, and any who are found to be below par can be grounded for up to a month.
Crew members who are deemed overweight are required to participate in regular weigh-ins before being allowed to fly again.
