A flight attendant union is pushing today to end what it is calling a “beauty pageant” hosted by American Airlines.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants issued a strongly worded email about American’s plan to find the best-looking female and male attendants at each crew base to model the airline’s new uniform.
The contest called the “Face of Your Base” asks flight attendants to vote on their coworkers to choose who will appear in an upcoming photo shoot.
The photo shoot will model the airline’s new scarves, ties and striped shirts.
Union president Laura Glading, however, blasted the idea, saying that it transported the profession back to when flight attendants where judged on their appearance, and forced to wear girdles and do weight-checks.
In the email, which was sent to the union’s 18,000 members at American, Glading said that the contest undermined the important role flight attendants played in ensuring passenger safety.
Glading is urging members to boycott.
American contends that the campaign was meant to celebrate flight attendants, and showcase their hard work and diversity.
By Adriana Padilla for PeterGreenberg.com.
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