Now we all know the disparaging comments many air passengers make about flight attendants from European and North American airlines - you know, the fact they can't be fired just because they seem to mysteriously age over the years as compared to many Asian carriers that happily write time definite contracts so as to maintain a young and attractive cabin crew. Well, now there's a new Asian carrier WITH a social conscience by taking a proactive step to purposely hire transsexuals. No, really, we're not kidding!
Thai transsexuals were overjoyed as a new airline in Thailand, PC Air, recently hired six transsexuals as flight attendants in an effort to promote equal opportunities for what's called the 'third sex' or 'katoey' in Thailand. The successful applicants even included Miss Tiffany 2007 winner (an annual ladyboy beauty pageant held in Thailand's Pattaya), 23-year old Thanyarat 'Film' Jiraphatpakorn. Try saying that name quickly three times in a row!
PC Air president Peter Chan, who chooses the transsexual cabin crew himself (!!!), said he needed to spend longer with interviews for such applicants (!!!). We're glad Mr Chan takes such a keen interest in his employees! "For male flight attendants, if I don't want to hire them, it's because of their attitude or their characters, like the way they walk and smile. For female flight attendants, if they have no patience and their character does not qualify, we won't hire them," he added somewhat obscurely. He offered no clue as to what he looks for in the transsexual realm.
After passing the preliminary round, the transsexuals will undergo training along with female air-hostesses and will have a 'third sex' name tag pinned to their uniform to avoid immigration issues, Chan explained. How bizarre is that!? I mean, we all know how stupefied immigration people can be, but really, is it necessary to pin a tag on these lovely ladies!?
More than 100 transsexuals applied for the coveted positions with PC Air, and more are expected to be hired. "I think these people can have many careers, not just in the entertainment business and many of them have a dream to be an air hostess. I just made their dream come true," said Chan.
Thailand has one of the largest "katoey" populations in the world and surgeons there have come up with cheap and speedy sex change techniques for those wanting to go under the knife. But it's not mandatory that applicants go through surgery to be considered for a job, said Chan. What's important is they have the necessary language skills and can provide good service. Ahh yes, now we know what the hiring requirements are!
All this has got us wondering here at Belly Ache Central (and that's always a bad thing!)...will we soon see transgender beauties gracing the aisles of Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, or maybe Philippine Airlines? Calls to the respective media relations departments went unanswered (actually we didn't bother trying...because really, some of these people just don't have a sense of humor!). We also thought about Qantas...but...umm...oh never mind.
Belly Ache - Payload Asia March 2011 Issue