Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - MH employees union says MH's female FA recruitment policies discriminatory

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/2126642/Article

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines' work policies for its women flight attendants are "embarrassing", says the MAS Employees Union's executive secretary since 2003, Mustafar Maarof.

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"At MAS, most female flight attendants retire at 40. Lead cabin crew can work till they are 45. Men retire at 55 no matter what (their) grade.

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The article goes on to point out the much higher retirement ages for female cabin crew in AI, JL, GA etc.

And here in the southern US most Hooters' waitresses retire before 40, while the guys working in the kitchen work longer.

What's the point?

And here in the southern US most Hooters' waitresses retire before 40, while the guys working in the kitchen work longer.

What's the point?

Yes, a MH FA older than that would probably find it hard (if not embarassing) to squeeze into the standard sarong kebaya FA uniform.

The point of that employees union guy is that female aircrew for most other airlines work till they are much older: cue discussions about how much older and heavier the FAs can get on UA, NW etc - and flight duty gets you far more pay and perks than ground duties do.

From a trade union standpoint, a feminist standpoint etc etc .. yes, it is definitely embarassing.

The question is when the MH FA retires, does she
retire with retirement pay? Malaysia is not such an
expensive country. If she receives sort of a pension,
then she might be better off. JMFCW.

Jesus, of course they get pensions. And they get shunted off to ground duties, FA training schools and such once they cross 40, I guess.

What you are missing is that cabin crew, assigned to flight duties, get extra pay and perks compared to ground duty personnel.

Oh, and about Malaysia not being an expensive country .. if you are an expat going there for a holiday, or on an assignment. If you are a malaysian, being paid in ringgit, I assure you it is just as expensive a place as anywhere else.

Yes, certainly not to the obscene levels that Tokyo (or hell, New Delhi) have got, but ..

The question is when the MH FA retires, does she
retire with retirement pay? Malaysia is not such an
expensive country. If she receives sort of a pension,
then she might be better off. JMFCW.

I agree it's unfair to force retirement at 40 for female FAs. That seems to be on the other far end of the pendulum's reach with US based carriers on the other end (I've seen many FAs that have trouble picking up items from the ground due to age and/or significant obesity). Still, I'm not sure what you can really do when the airline has not really been known for having the best management team in the region.

Btw, I really do not think Malaysia is inexpensive. Sure, it's easy to get cheap food and basic services but capital goods seem incredibly high priced. Homes and cars seem crazy expensive. Salaries are comparatively lower. Only major plus point is much, much, much cheaper healthcare than the US.

Majority (dare I say 99%) leave the airline on their own accord way before age 40; and many pursue careers in other fields.

Honestly I am glad they have this policy. Those who are close to being grounded tend to be very grumpy (think UA ;)) , especially if they didnt make it to be an Inflight Supervisor.

MH FAs are paid quite well (by local standard) especially those flying long haul. A senior FA earns around USD15,000-18,000 p.a. (inclusive of allowances) which is perhaps one of the highest paying job which does not require a tertiary education.

Trust me, I know everything about "extra pay and perks" to use
your works. Let's for a moment consider this : If they are allowed
to adopt some sort of a U.S. system, then the older and senior FAs
will fly the longhaul routes, shutting out the "under 40" who will
be relegated doing KUL-SIN with little or no perks. Sounds better?
To "retire" with 40, take care of your family and enjoy life doesn't
sound too bad.
Of course from a pax viewpoint ask yourself why Asian airlines are
so highly rated all over the community? Attentive service by attractive,
young and perky FA. Try that on an U.S. based airline with ........
( I removed my own comments as being not politically correct in
our times, but I guess you know what I mean ). Fact is that on
International routes on a U.S. carrier chances are slim to none to
ever find a FA under 50 years of age, let alone 40.
If MH were to fly routes that fit into my schedules with fares that
are acceptable, then the FA situation would play into my decision
to use them very predominantely and favourably..

Yeah, or for that matter, Kingfisher FAs with their tight red miniskirts and horny pax on single aisle birds always alert for glimpses of anything more they can see

But hell, I've had excellent, gracious service from middle aged / older AF crew, and extremely sloppy service from newbie but very young and pretty SQ crew.

Being older doesnt always equate to significant obesity issues and a grouchy attitude. Well, yeah, with most American carriers, it certainly does ..

To be fair, yes, I was comparing them to U.S. carriers and, yes,
let's agree on that. I myself have been in quite a similar
situation. My airline folded and I lost my job with 41. Looking
bad, though, I had a chance to see the world, had great
times but after 41 was forced to lead a "normal" life. Not a bad
way to go through life. Now turn it around, if they can work
after 40. For the first twenty years they make little money,
see nothing of the world and hope that when their seniority
number comes up that there is enough business still around
to support an extensive worldwide network. Then they are
older, they are tired, they start getting into the normal female
problem time and then are being at their best to satisfy their
company's requirements and their customers' demands? Well,
I don't have to make that decision. Let them work it out:)
I will be back in KUL next month and enjoy the short hop from
SIN.

Fair enough.

I will be back in KUL next month and enjoy the short hop from SIN

Enjoy the chili crab and laksa then :)

A geriatric UA FA or a petite 20 something Asian lass... neither will be any use in an emergency anyway...

Exellent point and well taken. Last time to SIN I had
a 250 lb, 60ish female FA on the trip. The only way
for her to enter the galley was sideways. No way she
would be any help in an emergency. No way could
she get out of the over the wing emergency exits.
She even had trouble working the IFE. It is scary
sometimes. Sorry, I didn't mean to digress.