The boss of Qatar Airways ridicules American carriers for their aged flight attendants
Sexism in the sky remains entrenched
By B.R.
GULLIVER is rarely fazed by what happens below the line of his posts. Receiving the occasional shoeing from readers—sometimes insightful, sometimes not—goes with the job. And he has certainly found his views swayed by well-reasoned arguments he finds there.
But he was truly gobsmacked at the discussion that ensued from a piece last year about the sexualisation of flight attendants. The post noted a few of the seedier airline hiring practices, such as asking potential recruits, some just 15, to take part in a bikini competition, or carriers refusing to employ married women. It then concluded with what seemed to be an uncontroversial suggestion: female cabin crew should be chosen for their abilities, not for their allure.
More from Gulliver
How much will Hong Kong's protests damage visitor numbers?
Tourism is a surprisingly resilient industry—but only if governments want it to be
Why Hong Kong’s airport was a good target for protesters
The streets of 19th-century Paris and the postmodern architecture of Hong Kong’s main terminal have much in common
Why trains are not always as green as they seem
The “flight-shame” movement encourages travellers to go by train instead of plane. But not all rail lines are environmentally friendly