'Air India's supremely silly diktat on grooming for its cabin crew' - by KJS Chatrath

I remember my first flight with Finnair almost 15 years back.  The lady crew in their summer sky blue uniforms looked very homely. Their uniforms were cut almost like what was called a 'sack' dress in the sixties- decent and not intended to either expose parts of body or to to accentuate the curves. The make up was extremely discreet. 

And now we come to today- or last week . Air India is reported to have issued a 40-page circular mandating its crew members to abide by the uniform and appearance guidelines stated by the company. The instructions include recommendations for proper attire, jewellery, nail care, and hairstyles. Air India has regulated the use of hair gel for the male crew but forbidden blonde streaks or colouring for the lady crew.

What really gets my goat is the diktat to dye hair for greying and to shave off head fully for balding male crew members!

Elmer Fudd lovingly called Fuddsy, was one of my favourite cartoon characters in my school days.

“Male crew members with deep receding hairlines and male balding patches must keep a clean shaved head or bald look. The Head must be shaved daily. A crew cut is not permitted. Grey hair is not permitted. Grey hair must be regularly coloured in a natural shade. Fashion colours and Heena are not permitted,” the airline has reportedly ordered. 

Does Air India want the gentlemen crew members to portray a macho image or that of a decent helpful young man next door?

Now going a little back in time. The father and icon of Indian aviation JRD Tata himself took keen interest in all aspects of the grooming of Air India’s crew members. Here in this photo three things stand out clearly- firstly JRD himself is seen interacting with an air hostess to explain some finer points, secondly the uniform of the air hostess is classy without being loud (though her hairdo is a bit overdone), and thirdly look at how JRD himself is dressed - immaculately! (Photo surce: https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/air-india-women-crew/)

Functional uniforms of Phillipines’ CEBU Airline for crew operating in the pacific region. 

                                                   A sexist Air India poster of yester years. 

The responsibility of the crew is to help and assist the passengers. Let them be dressed simply and decently. Placing of unnecessary restrictions on grey and balding men crew and size of the bindis of the ladies should not divert attention of the main job of the crew. 

Let me end with a little self introduction - I am a 79+ male - greying and balding!