Because the sexiness of the flight attendant affects whether or not I listen to him/her when I'm told to put up my tray........

I read this article the other day and was wondering when I'd see it on Feministing...

The whole thing puts me off to be honest.

When I read the first part about how Richard Tyler wanted to design a new uniform that is "sexy and great" I cringed. I thought we were getting away from the idea that flight attendants were supposed to be eye candy. And what about male flight attendants? Did he also design new uniforms for them? Or are women the only ones that need to feel "great" while doing their job?

Then the dress itself is only available if you're size 18 or smaller, well shit. Delta has said they offer other uniforms (I guess the older ones) to employees that are heavier than a size 18 but as Ms. Reller pointed out, the red dress is supposed to be eye catching and it's like saying if you're overweight they don't want to see you. They don't want you to stand out or feel great in a new uniform.

It's all just ugh.

So... what? Are they going to fire all of the plus sized flight attendants?

I kind of hope they try because then Delta will get hit with a big fat lawsuit and be forced to confront this BS.

The first thing I thought of looking at this artical was how intensly creepy that picture is. All I see is a much older man with his hands (way too low of anything) wrapped around two attractive young girls. Creepy! Did anyone else go to the picture first?

As for the entire artical, that is just horrible. Is this even legal? I am pretty sure there are laws that would cover something like this, but im sure the airline could find a way to get over the law which is saddening. What are the women who are over size 18 going to wear..? These poor women. Please give an update on the situation when it is available!

are they allowed to do that?!?!?!

once, I went on Kingfisher Airlines (in India) and I was appalled by how all of the female flight attendants had to wear stylish uniforms, red lipstick, heavy make-up, and wear stylish hair. It made me uncomfortable.

Are those red dressed the uniforms? If so, I'm surprised that the company isn't making them in larger sizes. Wrap dresses like that tend to be pretty flattering on plus-size women.

Also, what are the male flight attendants going to wear?

Yay! Feministing you rock! I was just about to post this on the community forum!! Our airline has a similar dress, but in navy. It is wayyy 'sexier' than our old one. This happened right about the time delta got their new uniforms.

I have actually had people(ah, yes, men) ask me "why do you wear pants? I didn't know 'stewardesses' were allowed to wear pants! HAHA! I've also had a few (non-airline in the terminal) think I was a pilot for this reason.

Unfortunately, while I agree for the most part, I have to say that FAs are STILL regarded as a sex symbol by some. From who I spoken with, it was worse as recent as 10 years ago.

Thanks Vannessa!!

Yay! Feministing you rock! I was just about to post this on the community forum!! Our airline has a similar dress, but in navy. It is wayyy 'sexier' than our old one. This happened right about the time delta got their new uniforms.

I have actually had people(ah, yes, men) ask me "why do you wear pants? I didn't know 'stewardesses' were allowed to wear pants! HAHA! I've also had a few (non-airline in the terminal) think I was a pilot for this reason.

Unfortunately, while I agree for the most part, I have to say that FAs are STILL regarded as a sex symbol by some. From who I spoken with, it was worse as recent as 10 years ago.

Thanks Vannessa!!

Oh sorry for leaving that twice.. :( I wanted to add that these uniforms aren't newly created, it's been quite a few years... the reason the issue has finally come up is because of the merger..

We could make this into something nefarious but I don't see any evidence of that yet. Our reaction seems to be knee jerk. Its important to read the article... There's nothing wrong with Size 18+ women looking "sexy and great". This is a far cry from the days when stewardesses wore mini skirts & hooker boots. The dresses, to me at least, don't look so "sexy" as they do "stylish". And it appears the male stewards uniforms got a do over as well.

And since this was announced 5 years ago without any apparent problems in the intervening years I imagine that in practice its not actually sexist. In fact from what the article suggests ALL the uniforms were re-made & the union's grievance is just about the red dress. I don't see a reason why it, too, shouldn't be offered in a size 18, but Delta is operating on the verge of bankruptcy so I imagine its just a money issue. (Also, btw, the NWA unions, which was the predecessor of the chapter complaining, wsa so notoriously aggressive they made the Teamsters look like hamsters).

I don't see a lawsuit here. Those of us who are outside of what is considered normal weight in the US are not protected against discrimination in most states. Further many states are "employment at will" states which means an employee can be fired for any reason or none at all as long as the firing is not due to age, sex, race, or religion. Some progressive states protect sexual orientation--but not all. Does this suck? You bet, which is why fat activists exist.

It's ridiculous that larger women can't wear that dress, because it's really beautiful. Seriously, if that wasn't a company-specific uniform, I'd wear that in a heartbeat.

While I agree that it's gross to specifically refer to wanting the flight attendants to look "sexy", I have to say, I'm not thrilled about the polo-shirt-and-khakis look often seen on planes. It looks sloppy to me, but that red dress looks simultaneously comfortable/functional and formal.

What dress size does the typical Delta flight attendant wear?

A size 28 seems rather unneccesary to me, but I could be completely wrong about that.

I agree with other posters that sexy uniforms are unnecessary, impractical, ridiculous, and sexist. But on the size limit: don't flight attendants, male and female, have height/weight requirements? I fly all the time, on several different airlines, and can't recall seeing a female flight attendant who would be a size 18 or bigger. Maybe I just didn't notice?

A lot of this information is incorrect or out of date. I'm close to an employee, here's the scoop.

These uniform changes actually went into effect several years ago. The only reason we're hearing about this is because of the Delta/Northwest merger; Northwest FAs have a union and Delta does not, so the integration is a little shaky these days, particularly as the NW FAs have recently been issued their new Delta uniforms.

The redesign actually included a bajillion new designs, most of which are available in sizes over 18. There's several variations of sharp suiting separates and navy dresses that match the red dress in style (they all have red detailing). So the larger FAs aren't wearing threadbare old rags, but it is true that they can't wear the red dress.

I fly Delta about twice a month, and I have to say I've only seen a FA in the red dress once. I fly out of Atlanta so I see pilots and FAs everywhere I look all the time. Most flight attendants wear the pants or skirt suit or the navy dress.

FYI, the men wear suits, either with a coat or without. They match the women's suits, and have the red detailing. All in all, all of it is really sharp; I'd wear the navy wrap dress or the suits, even the vest. The shirts have this neat cuff with red lining.

Another interesting airline uniform issue is for the women pilots, who are a teeny tiny minority. They're supposed to wear some sort of ridiculous scarf or tab instead of a tie with their suit uniforms, and basically en masse they've all refused and have bought and wear the men's tie.

A lot of this information is incorrect or out of date. I'm close to an employee, here's the scoop.

These uniform changes actually went into effect several years ago. The only reason we're hearing about this is because of the Delta/Northwest merger; Northwest FAs have a union and Delta does not, so the integration is a little shaky these days, particularly as the NW FAs have recently been issued their new Delta uniforms.

The redesign actually included a bajillion new designs, most of which are available in sizes over 18. There's several variations of sharp suiting separates and navy dresses that match the red dress in style (they all have red detailing). So the larger FAs aren't wearing threadbare old rags, but it is true that they can't wear the red dress.

I fly Delta about twice a month, and I have to say I've only seen a FA in the red dress once. I fly out of Atlanta so I see pilots and FAs everywhere I look all the time. Most flight attendants wear the pants or skirt suit or the navy dress.

FYI, the men wear suits, either with a coat or without. They match the women's suits, and have the red detailing. All in all, all of it is really sharp; I'd wear the navy wrap dress or the suits, even the vest. The shirts have this neat cuff with red lining.

Another interesting airline uniform issue is for the women pilots, who are a teeny tiny minority. They're supposed to wear some sort of ridiculous scarf or tab instead of a tie with their suit uniforms, and basically en masse they've all refused and have bought and wear the men's tie.

A lot of this information is incorrect or out of date. I'm close to an employee, here's the scoop.

These uniform changes actually went into effect several years ago. The only reason we're hearing about this is because of the Delta/Northwest merger; Northwest FAs have a union and Delta does not, so the integration is a little shaky these days, particularly as the NW FAs have recently been issued their new Delta uniforms.

The redesign actually included a bajillion new designs, most of which are available in sizes over 18. There's several variations of sharp suiting separates and navy dresses that match the red dress in style (they all have red detailing). So the larger FAs aren't wearing threadbare old rags, but it is true that they can't wear the red dress.

I fly Delta about twice a month, and I have to say I've only seen a FA in the red dress once. I fly out of Atlanta so I see pilots and FAs everywhere I look all the time. Most flight attendants wear the pants or skirt suit or the navy dress.

FYI, the men wear suits, either with a coat or without. They match the women's suits, and have the red detailing. All in all, all of it is really sharp; I'd wear the navy wrap dress or the suits, even the vest. The shirts have this neat cuff with red lining.

Another interesting airline uniform issue is for the women pilots, who are a teeny tiny minority. They're supposed to wear some sort of ridiculous scarf or tab instead of a tie with their suit uniforms, and basically en masse they've all refused and have bought and wear the men's tie.

Ah but people like to complain on websites anytime there is something politically incorrect or that takes issue wth their size, rather than look it up they've chosen to take the article on this site as gospel and hope that someone gets some money taken from them for it. Alot of people anyway.

Budget Travel Blog's characterization:
"Flight attendant's union squabbles over the sizes of Delta's Richard Tyler-designed uniforms."

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/07/worth_reading_darn_good_free_m.html

This makes sense because of the smaller planes and aisles. I don't know anyone who wants a flight attendant bumping their elbow and seat as they walk by every few minutes.

This makes sense because of the smaller planes and aisles. I don't know anyone who wants a flight attendant bumping their elbow and seat as they walk by every few minutes.

Hey I sent this in!
As a 17-year-old, the whole notion of sexified flight attendants is so antiquated to me, especially the notion that their job exists for the sole purpose to entertain/please male passengers..

It appalling to see this still happening. I hope Delta smartens up and learns to treat their employees with more dignity!

About a year ago my friend got a job as a hostess at Moxie's, with the uniforms being tight black shirts. When she was finally given hers, it she was unable to pull it over her chest. She's only a "C", and easily within a healthy BMI for someone her size; they apparently gave her the "large", to make matters worse. She went to complain to the manager, who told her to lose weight and make it fit. My friend ended up walking out; she claims this to be the most demeaning moment she's experienced and I don't blame her. I can't imagine how many women end up with poorer body images than before all thanks to work place uniforms; personally, I think a name tag should suffice for a uniform instead of discriminating clothing.

You heard it here first.

If the NW flight attendants union wins this they will give Delta management a gift.

The two separate flight attendant groups will be voting on whether or not to unionize as one group.

Delta management will immediately say that as a result of the lawsuit, the red dress is no longer authorized in ANY size. That way every remaining authorized uniform will be available up to size 28.

They will then publicize to the flight attendants that this is a result of the action taken by the union. The same union they are being asked to elect as their representative.

The flight attendants that liked the red dress will not be very happy.

Perhaps this is analogous to shoe size. I wear a size 13, and shoes that look great in the display size 8 end up looking like clown shoes when they're scaled up to a size 13. Maybe the new proportions of the dress make it look dreadful if it is scaled above a size 18.

Here is the response I received from Delta Airlines, I have omitted my name and e-mail:

Dear Ms. X,

Thank you for your e-mail to Delta Air Lines.

With Richard Tyler's guidance and expertise, we created the largest uniform collection in the airline industry - a collection that is flattering and functional, offering a variety of choices for everyone. The overwhelming majority of pre-merger Northwest flight attendants are excited to wear the Richard Tyler Collection after more than a decade in their old uniform. Our uniform policies for the Richard Tyler Collection have been in place since
2006 and the program has been very successful at Delta. In fact, the sizing of our red dress has not been an issue with Delta flight attendants since the program's inception three years ago. These are typical union campaign tactics leading up to an election.

Again, thank you for writing. Your comments have been sent to the responsible department for internal review. We value your business and hope you will continue to make Delta your airline of choice.

Sincerely,

Alan Lee
Online Customer Support Desk
http://www.delta.com