Transsexual Thai air hostesses: gimmick or equality?

[Shana A]

Transsexual Thai air hostesses: gimmick or equality?

    Published: 12/03/2012 at 04:08 PM

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/284026/transsexual-thai-air-hostesses-gimmick-or-equality

With her crisp uniform, immaculate makeup and hair swept up, Mew looks like any other air hostess, but she's one of a handful of Thai transsexuals blazing a trail in the skies.

Fledgling Thailand-based carrier PC Air has hired four transgender cabin crew in a highly publicised recruitment drive that has divided opinion over whether the move is in the spirit of equality or exploitation.

"I like a job where I can show my ability and I love to wear beautiful suits," said Phuntakarn Sringern, better known by her nickname Mew, embarking Friday on the airline's first commercial flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong.

[veritatemfurto]

its partly a gimmick to draw attention from western travelers (which may backfire), but almost all Thai based airlines are big on hiring transgender flight attendants, partly due to their physical ability to reach 3-4 more inches from other cis women of the local area.. that may sound a bit sexist, but it does make a big difference when helping a customer put baggage in the overhead bin.

Thai Airways International has had for many years a very good percentage of their flight attendants that are trans, like double digit percentages.


on a side note, don't ya just LOVE how media still uses the term "Sex Change"? NOT!