Many (Asian) airlines shamelessly exploit female sexuality

The Economist ^ | December 16th 2016 | J.Y.

[LouieFisk]

EVERY December, more than 1,000 female high school students, some as young as 15, take part in a “bikini competition” held in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao. The event, hosted by Oriental Beauty, a modelling agency, provides a platform for aspiring flight attendants to show off their bikini bodies to eager recruiters from the Chinese airline industry. Those deemed the most attractive are invited to join a fast-track flight attendant trainee scheme, which can open the door to a dream job at one of China’s big airlines.

[bk1000]

Problem is they let them make a lifetime career out of it. I flew for business many years and millions of miles and rarely saw a female flight attendant under 40 and even more rare was one that was pleasant or pleasant to look at. Back in the day my mom worked as a stewardess. There were age and weight restrictions. BTW, all them little Asian gals need a sammich, and maybe lay off the kim-chi.

[arthurus]

Asian airlines are businesses. They do what attracts clientele. Westerners, in particular think East Asian women are more attractive and enjoy flying on airplanes that have stewardesses, especially young or young looking ones. Male stewardesses and overweight staff are a turnoff to most. Men fly more than do women. When men and women fly together, men tend to choose the airline. Bottom line. Rude staff don't help either and Asian airlines do not have that. Asian staff, even the rare male stewardess are exquisitely polite and eager to help. Americans not so much and UAL staff are downright obnoxious.

[BobL]

I’ve been to Asia a few times - and trust me, the stewardesses on Asian airlines are something to behold...especially when one compares them to washed up union-hacks working for United.

[arthurus]

Male passengers and even female passengers pay more attention to good looking stewardesses giving the safety rules than to men or fat and aging women.

[ebshumidors]

When I worked for UAL in the ‘90’s, I’m pretty sure the original flight nurses were still flying.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Many (Asian) airlines shamelessly exploit female sexuality

They say that like it's a bad thing. :)

[BobL]

“When she interviewed in Singapore the interview had 2 two parts. The technical part and the service part she had to change into a bikini for the service part of the interview. I kid you not. Try that in the US!”

I was in Singapore years ago and I never forget this job ad in their newspaper “Female Chinese Receptionist Wanted”. Since many people (seems like a majority, but probably not) of Singapanese are non-Chinese (usually Indian or Malay), this effectively cuts through the game-playing and doesn’t waste the time of the employer or perspective employees. It actually MAKES SENSE, but most Americans now are two metrosexual to understand why.

[central_va]

Every female “shamelessly exploit female sexuality” at point or another.

[atc23]

Flying nowadays is bad enough without having to endure large, menopausal, angry and tired grannies refusing to do anything but sit in the jump seats and gossip.

I sincerely hope China buys all major American air carriers

[BobL]

“Last year’s competition.”

I think about half of them were working the flight back from Tokyo a few years ago - too bad they don’t work in those uniforms.

[wrench]

Late 60s L1011 ?

[fella]

In the 70s and 80s I used to fly Southwest between Dallas and Houston

Only $15 one way no reservations needed.

[PeteePie]

Ahh, back in the day when they offered legroom

[Pearls Before Swine]

As the article states, its passenger safety that comes first. But after that, why not choose the pretty ones over the smelly ones?

Unions, job security, seniority.

Our airlines used to feature young, pretty stews, too. But as their careers and years advanced, they became "sky hags." Or gay.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Singapore is actually 70% Chinese (which is part of why it works so much better than its neighbors - Chinese work ethic paired with a British legal system) so they probably want someone who can both work hard and speak Mandarin to the majority of their customers.

I've seen ads for retail jobs there that clearly stated "Female Under 30 Only." The policy isn't just for flight attendants.

[BobL]

“Asian airlines are businesses.”

That’s the bottom line - any normal guy that flies on one of these Asian airlines will DEFINITELY try to book their next flight on a similar airline...so it’s just a business decision, and a smart one. The fact that the US doesn’t allow it puts our airlines at a MAJOR DISADVANTAGE for overseas travel.

Perhaps Trump might want to look into ‘leveling the playing field’ here (and I don’t mean forcing our beasts on to the Asian airlines).

[Don Corleone]

Bob Six, who ran the old Continental Airlines used to say something along the line of,”When there are so many really good looking girls wanting to be stewardesses why should I hire dogs? “ As I recall, he didn’t!

[atc23]

BTW, all them little Asian gals need a sammich, and maybe lay off the kim-chi.

Disagree - they're all height and weight appropriate looks like to me. American women (and men) are terribly overfed on processed foods. I travel internationally. You do not see fatties in Asia on the scale you do in the USA - not even close

[yldstrk]

sheesh, need to shave their hairy pits

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Lamenting the loss of those snug hot pants on Southwest Airlines...