United Chastises Cabin Crew on Their Personal Appearance
Jackie Reddy May 21, 2018
Frankfurt, Germany - July 17, 2014: United Airlines aircraft logo at an aircraft in Frankfurt. United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
John Slater, United’s vice president for in-flight operations, offered his thoughts on slipping standards of appearance among cabin crew in two separate e-mails. The AFA, the body which represents United’s cabin crew members, says that Slater’s thoughts were positively received by United staff.
United Airlines is asking some members of its cabin crew to smarten up, Skift reports. In two separate internal staff memos, John Slater, the carrier’s vice president for in-flight operations, offered his thoughts on slipping standards of personal appearance at the carrier.
“Perhaps because of the distractions of our industry or the merger of our airlines, over time, we became too relaxed in compliance with established standards. We lost our focus on the value uniform standards have on our customers’ perception of our company,” he said. Specifically, Slater is asking crew members to be more mindful of “skirt lengths that don’t conform to the standard” as well as dirty or wrinkled shoes and even old and worn footwear.
Both emails can be seen in full at Business Insider.
Slater’s thoughts on the personal appearance of United’s cabin crew was issued via two separate emails, the first of which was apparently sent in error as an unfinished draft.
However, Erin Benson Scharra, United’s spokeswoman, told Skift that Slater’s thoughts were received positively by staff. “When our employees feel and look their best, it makes it easier for them to deliver the top-notch service our customers deserve,” Scharra said, adding that the airline is now hosting what it calls “image fairs” to encourage staff to be more aware of their appearance.
Offering her comments, Taylor Garland, spokesperson for the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the body which represents union members of United cabin crew, said, “Flight attendants take pride in presenting a professional image. Uniform standards help to ensure crew members are easily identified and respected as they perform their role as aviation’s first responders. That’s why our flight attendant union works with United to reinforce uniform standards in a way that promotes our professional role in maintaining safety, health and security.”
[Photo: Shutterstock]
entitled millennials?? You are not a real doctor.
I agree that the customer interacts with the FA and gate agents. Its always a box of chocolates when it comes to fa's on flag carriers. They need to present themselves properly and smile on occasion.
Just fly some of the Asia or ME airlines to see difference, Singapore Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways and EVA Air all put United to shame...
I've never noticed a flight attendant's "wrinkled" or "dirty" shoes, but then I don't pay attention to their shoes. I think it's time for the airlines to start working on image standards among passengers, and tell these passengers who like to be almost naked, to put on some damn clothes, quit the flip flops and short shorts and cover more skin like the majority of us, and you'll be given more respect, particularly in First and Business.
While not intended as a personal attack, I get pretty tired of seeing such snarky comments about every management-employee interaction. Slater in no way 'berated' any employee and Garland responded in a respectful and cooperative tone on behalf of the FAs. It is the job of management to ensure that the company is putting its best foot forward and yes, MANAGING employee performance. If you must interpret or transform every interaction between companies and people into negative noise, please refrain from commenting. It is truly a disservice to everyone to constantly portray everything in a negative light.