Shape up or ship out

The portly, turbaned figure in regal garb, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided, had to go because his new government was formulating policies (most of which we are still waiting for) to make flying within the reach of the common man and not limited only to the rich. A long way from the image of a rich Indian potentate, symbolising graciousness and high living, in his place is a new Maharajah, though one bearing absolutely no resemblance to the original. He is now a younger, slimmer version without a turban, with spiky hair and wearing jeans and sneakers.

“The new Maharajah is aligned with the modern times and with the new AI which is also trying to cut flab to become a lean commercial entity,” an airline spokesman said at the time.

He wasn’t kidding. AI, which has been struggling to make money in recent years, is also offloading flab from its aircraft cabins. Insiders say the decision has been taken to ground 125 “overweight” cabin crew. This after the national carrier last year warned 600 crew members – 17 per cent of its entire cabin crew strength – to “shape up” following new body mass index (BMI) recommendations from the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), based on the fact that “unfit” cabin crew can’t work efficiently and in a timely manner in emergencies. The unlucky 600 were tested and deemed “overweight” or “obese”, classed as “temporarily unfit” for flight duties and given 18 months to lose weight or risk being declared “permanently unfit”. Apparently, some didn’t make it.

The struggling state-owned carrier may just be following the new DGCA guidelines but its action is controversial. Anoop Misra, Chairman of India’s National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation, says a BMI rating alone isn’t enough to conclude whether a person is fit or not.

“A person could be normal weight and unfit, or they could be fat and fit.

These cabin crews, like pilots, should undergo yearly tests by physicians to consider if they are fit or not, not merely on BMI alone. ” He says if a person is doing daily exercise for 30-45 minutes each day, has normal blood pressure, normal blood sugar, lipid and organ functions, and his or her treadmill test is negative, he or she should be considered as fit.

He has a point because the BMI ratings now being applied to cabin crew differ from those applied to other Indians. The DGCA declared that female cabin crew with a BMI between 18 and 22 are “normal”, between 22 and 27 are “overweight” and over 27 are “obese”. Male cabin crew are considered “normal” if they have a BMI between 18 and 25. The normal BMI for other Indians is a maximum of 23. The US Department of Health and Human Services calls a BMI between 18. 5 and 24. 9 “normal”, between 25 and 29. 9

AI, which has been struggling to make money in recent years, is also offloading flab from its aircraft cabins.

“overweight”, and doesn’t figure someone is obese until they pass the 30 mark. There is also significant debate internationally about the value of using BMI to determine whether or not someone is overweight.

But Air India isn’t backing down, despite protests from the flight attendant union. It says some of the crew declared “permanently unfit” for flight duties may be offered ground duties, while others might be offered voluntary retirement.

“These employees have already had 18 months to meet the required BMI but failed to do so, leaving us with no choice but to replace them… people who are fitter can respond quicker and more efficiently in case of any untoward situation,” an Air India official said.

It isn’t the first time the airline has come under controversy over its crew appearances. Back in 2004 it came under fire for saying that air hostesses should not have any scars or acne on their faces and in 2009 it had another fat attack when it dismissed nine female flight attendants for being overweight.

Crew appearance isn’t exactly a new issue in the industry. For many years, rightly or wrongly, Singapore Airlines was criticised for its “Singapore Girl” image and allegations the rules allowed it to dump hostesses if they became pregnant or simply became too old. Qatar Airways has in more recent times been criticised for its treatment of stewardesses.

It’s a touchy subject but there has to be some more definitive way to set standards for crew. Flight attendants certainly have the lives of millions of passengers in their hands and safety must be the first priority. On the other hand, there is no doubt that someone can look overly plump but still be extremely fit.