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Sherry Rehman calls out PIA for fat-shaming its airline crew
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Sherry Rehman calls out PIA for fat-shaming its airline crew

She said, 'Time to focus on big structural, safety issues, PIA. Routes and fleets are important, not crew's waistline'
Images Staff
Updated 28 Jan, 2019

Senator Sherry Rehman is not having any of PIA's body shaming and she's taking it up with the Civil Aviation Committee of Senate.

Earlier this month, PIA welcomed its airline crew into the New Year with a weight check policy. The memo reportedly read: "Any crew found above 30lbs from the desired weight after 31st Jan 2019, will be grounded and referred to Air Crew Medical Center for medical evaluation and treatment until weight is reduced."

Those already "on weight check" are required to report monthly to a "grooming cell" to receive clearance to fly.

Reportedly, the policy was due to complaints from passengers about "obese" flight members. PIA, however, in its notification has not specified what the "desired standard/BMI" is.

This weekend, Rehman shot back at PIA asking it to focus on its operations rather than their crew's waistlines.

Most Pakistanis agree with the senator.

However, others argue the need for cabin crew to maintain a healthy weight.

But, like Rehman pointed out, the focus should be on the airline's functionality.

Images has reached out to PIA for comment and is awaiting a response.

Comments

syed baqar ahsan Jan 28, 2019 02:15pm
Senseless comments from Sherry
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Khan Jan 28, 2019 02:22pm
Over weight and grumpy Aunty profiles I see when ever I travel from Toronto to Pakistan.
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Sid Jan 28, 2019 02:26pm
She should worry more about the poor of Sindh and help them out of poverty
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Dawnreader Jan 28, 2019 02:29pm
How is this sexist, the PIA announcement says "the cabin crew" . All crew members be it women or men will have to comply equally.
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Singh is King Jan 28, 2019 02:47pm
PIA and other pakistani airlines should be immediately closed. Chinese and Middle East Airlines should manage all air travel in pakistan.
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karr Jan 28, 2019 02:59pm
I dont see anything wrong with this policy. Air hostesses and and other cabin crew , including Men are expected to be trim and fit .
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dilawar Jan 28, 2019 03:06pm
Not a big deal. Airlines all over the world expect their crew to be fit and healthy.
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Zak Jan 28, 2019 03:15pm
Good decision to slim down. Besides aircraft gets burdened by a few hundred pounds.
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Hasnain Haque Jan 28, 2019 03:17pm
Ms Rehman ahs completely missed the point, being overweight means being unfit, a danger to passengers, costs more in fuel and not being able to perform their duties effectively, it is as simple as that.
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Hasnain Haque Jan 28, 2019 03:19pm
MS Sherry would you trust an overweight and unfit crew member in an emergency?.
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MHS Jan 28, 2019 03:19pm
Sorry to say but perfectly right decision, every job has certain requirements, this is probably one of theirs....Although we may agree with the need to bring about major overhauling reforms too...
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Sameer Zia Jan 28, 2019 03:21pm
Name any airline where tired and bulky women are working. It has to be constant policy but it is running by political favours, bulky and tired ladies should be grounded if they can not meet the industries requirement. Didn't expected such stupid comment from her, maybe it is a matter of political scoring.
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adeel Jan 28, 2019 03:41pm
The senator has to improve her reading skills, the letter says cabin crew (which includes pilots, air stewards, hostesses and engineering support). I have traveled on PIA and although someone being fat is not an issue for me, it could hinder with the safety in case of emergency. There is something called minimum job requirement; there is a reason you dont find a blind pilot in the cabin (as of now, may be with the advancement in tech there will be a time when the pilot's blindness will no more be an issue to the safety of the flight) Therefore, I find the senator's comments unguided or even sexists.
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Iqbal Z K Jan 28, 2019 03:51pm
Every job has its requirements. They need lessons in mannerism, professionalism and their own upkeep.
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Ali Jan 28, 2019 03:51pm
This sherry rehman is got nothing better to do.. seems like wasted tax payers money
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SkyHawk Jan 28, 2019 04:00pm
Nonsense by Sherry. She needed attention to remain in the media limelight.
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Crusoe Jan 28, 2019 04:07pm
What does she know about aviation where one needs to be fit and within certain weight limit in order to carry out emergency services if needed. Its a norm across the world in aviation field but Sherry has got it totally wrong on this one.
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Jackal Jan 28, 2019 04:08pm
I wish the PIA going into losses was due to the crew weight. It is funny how PPP absolves itself of everything wrong with state-run enterprises like PIA and Steel Mill. Pathetic!
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Jaguar Jan 28, 2019 04:09pm
Is it sexism if this rule applies to all the crew? It might be a gross policy, but everything is not sexism. Pseudo-liberals need to reevaluate their definitions.
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putho madre Jan 28, 2019 04:18pm
It cost extra fuel to carry extra weight.
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maverick Jan 28, 2019 04:28pm
I think Sherry has bigger issues than this. more importantly is this Sexist? Seriously? Pakistani people have habit of making useless comments on every thing.
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MAK Jan 28, 2019 04:36pm
Obesity needs to be discouraged at all levels especially the cabin crew , pilots etc inter alia every extra kg costs airline more in fuel, Sherry sahiba there are more sever things about which the like of you should be bothered
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Arslan Jan 28, 2019 04:45pm
I think as well as encouraging them to loose weight they should also be encouraged to smile and be polite to the passengers.
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Jung karim Jan 28, 2019 05:07pm
The day when pia is reformed is really the day when Pakistan is reformed ... The whole Pakistani sky is open ...
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Shah Jan 28, 2019 05:14pm
PPP has nothing to do but criticize every good thing the present government is doing every industry has its prerequisites and the airline business definitely has theirs, where the cabin crew has to perform certain tasks in case of emergencies probably our esteemed Senator does not have that idea that a role of cabin crew is far more serious then just looking like a model,they have to be physically fit agile and be able to save lives adhering to emergency drills in case of a mishap.So if the Airline is asking its crew to adhere to that what is wrong with it ?
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furqan Jan 28, 2019 05:34pm
Good call by PIA. Similar measures should be taken in all LEAs as well.
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ukasha rajpoot Jan 28, 2019 05:36pm
Its good at least your department cares about your health. Sherry is just bored and out of work.
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M. Siddique Jan 28, 2019 05:40pm
Sherry Rehman is correct in this case. PIA's emphasis should be on improving its operational efficiency and not stewardesses' waistline. Profitability must be the priority.
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M. Saeed Jan 28, 2019 05:41pm
Presentable waistline or not, I need their prompt and willing response to a call bell, that they seldom respond.
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Aslam khan Jan 28, 2019 05:41pm
It's discrimination. It's 2019 not 1969.
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Qamar Jan 28, 2019 05:48pm
There is nothing wrong to ask PIA cabin crew to get in shape. An overweight lethargic person cannot handle emergency situations that require physical fitness. It is not sexim, it is a job requirement.
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Demagogue Jan 28, 2019 06:07pm
You have an air force Air Marshall running a commercial airline what do you expect?
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Shazaib Jan 28, 2019 06:09pm
Cabin Crew Consist of both Male and Female staff how is this a feminist issue.
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Faisal Jan 28, 2019 06:14pm
Cabin crew needs to be on their feet for major part of the long haul flights which would range from 3-4 hours on an average 8 hour flight. Secondly they need to move swiftly through the aisles especially in an emergency situation and there is limited space. I always travel PIA since they only offer direct flights from UK which saves a lot of time but it's needless to say their service is way below par. Most staff are not professional when dealing with passengers and can easily become aggressive. And their behaviour is to encourage passengers get water or any drink themselves between the meals as that's only when they offer any such thing actively. Otherwise they just sit in the jump seats chatting with each other. I also have seen various occasions when they refuse to help passengers put luggage in overhead compartments asking other passengers to do that blaming their back. If they are not fit, how'd they respond in emergency? Never seen such behaviour by any other country's staff.
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Faisal Jan 28, 2019 06:18pm
Not saying this is the only issue faced by passengers but is definitely one of many that should be resolved. As I am sure this wouldn't be the only circular to the staff rather it would be part of a bunch of measures being taken to improve performance. I don't deem it sexist at all as this address all the cabin crew and not only women. And it's also for the benefit of the staff as heavier weight (even if within range) can adversely impact the joints based on your activity (in this case being on your feet for majority of the time).
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA Jan 28, 2019 06:19pm
Unsubstantiated comments by the PPP senator’s comments . Looking at strenuous & long hours spent by the airline crew in providing hospitality to customers with a smiling face & w/o looking fatigued or tired, is the professional requirement of the job. I, being in construction business, have to climb wearing safety gear, on many story high scaffold /staircase, have to watch for my weight , to make it professionally easy to perform my duties. Similarly, it make sense for such person who is always on the move during performance of his/her duties to be at ease by remaining fit and healthy. As a matter of fact, it is becoming evidently clear that this senator who belongs to a party, mainly responsible for non-functionality of the national carrier by overburdening it with political untrained appointees, has nothing to add other than making these frivilous objections to look pretty. This committee must scrutinize causes of operational losses & recommend remedial measures.
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Syed Nazim Jan 28, 2019 07:01pm
Good food and smart crew matters a lot for a competitive air line. I endorse management action. Rehman should pay attention to more serious issues like fake accounts and money laundering.
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Drago Jan 28, 2019 07:31pm
How come all these so-called politicians realize and criticize every action of the current government? They had many chances to make improvements during their own government. Why don't they highlight what they have achieved for the same to have a fair comparison!
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Ehsan Jan 28, 2019 08:21pm
First our legislators should focus on educating the masses about not making fun of anyone’s physical appearance, color, sex etc
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ahmed Jan 28, 2019 08:53pm
Sen.Sherry, PIA is a business and an image of PK. An over weight cabin crew certainly is not good for the business. Besides staying within weight limits is good for the crew affected.
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Khalid iqbal Jan 28, 2019 10:57pm
It’s time PIA started improving on its standards , better service , better management, flights on time , especially international flights coming to New York , delaying the flight and missing the connecting flight, is routine, this must stop .
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Shame Jan 29, 2019 02:09am
She should look herself into mirror first!
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Tarik Jan 29, 2019 02:52am
Wt reduction should apply to everyone especially politicians, Govt employees, mullah & women at home. Overweight will kill you sooner with bad back, knees & hips.
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Javed Jan 29, 2019 09:45am
There is a minimum requirement for cabin crews, if someone falls below that minimum, is that 'fat-shaming' or are you just protecting your political inductees in the sinking airline.
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Imran Sheikh Jan 29, 2019 03:11pm
@syed baqar ahsan I completely agree. It is a commercial airline and if it needs to project a glamorous image, so be it. I don't want a Senator to indulge a sexist agenda. Would have more useful if she called for similar appropriate standards for male crew too.
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