Immaculate-looking flight attendants who appear unruffled by the demands of a life spent in the air are part of the slick image sold by carriers -- but Hong Kong-based workers are not accepting that. While they say carriers have made some steps in the right direction, they argue airlines still lag far behind in the #MeToo era. Venus Fung, whose experiences drove her to join and lead the Cabin Attendants Union of Hong Kong, says airlines must teach workers on how to deal with harassment. Fung, 29, said the issue was never raised in her company training. The Hong Kong-based attendant told AFP she had been physically picked up by a pilot who touched her chest, waist and bottom, commenting she had a nice body, when she was new to the job more than two years ago. "At that moment I was really angry, but I was mostly also panicking and afraid. My mind went completely blank -- I had no idea what to do or how to react," said Fung, who works for a European airline which she did not want to … [Read more...] about Sexual harassment in the sky: Hong Kong flight attendants fight back
Vietnam airlines flight attendant jobs
Vietnam Airlines bans smuggler pilot
Vietnam Airlines bans smuggler pilot (04-04-2008) HCM CITY — Vietnam Airlines on Wednesday suspended pilot Lai Quoc Viet from his job after he was arrested by the Australian Crime Commission in Sydney for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering and drug-trafficking ring. The 58-year-old pilot was reportedly arrested on March 31 at Sydney Airport after flying from HCM City to Sydney. Viet, who has worked at Vietnam Airlines since 1972, was appointed in 2002 to be the captain of flights using A320 and Boeing B777 aircraft. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Crime Commission arrested and charged Viet for allegedly taking bribes to smuggle nearly US$4 million in drug money out of Australia. The money was said to have come from 17 drug deals in 2005 and 2006 organised by Vietnamese people in Melbourne and Sydney. Viet is the second pilot from Vietnam Airlines who has been arrested by the commission for illegally transporting money out of Australia. Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines bans smuggler pilot
Airlines must raise awareness on safety
Last week, Viet Nam News asked readers for their opinions on the fine given to the men who opened the emergency exit door of an airplane, and the reasons for the passengers' violations of airline rules. Readers were asked what the aviation industry should do to raise passenger awareness of airline safety regulations. Here are some of the responses. Gina Motsay, American, Ha Noi In my opinion, airline companies are partly to blame for passengers' violations of airline rules. They should find ways to effectively disseminate not only the rules, but also the fines for violating these rules to the passengers. I recently flew to Singapore on a business trip and they posted a large, easily visible sign on the toilet wall warning that those who smoke in there will be fined a large amount of money (I don't remember the exact figure). I think no one would ever dare to smoke in there after seeing such a sign. Maybe Vietnam Airlines should try that too. I've never see a similar sign on any of … [Read more...] about Airlines must raise awareness on safety
Behind the smiles of Vietnam’s flight attendants
A passenger took out his mobile phone and spoke sonorously, “Hey, I’m OK, I won’t land at Noi Bai [an international airport in Hanoi] before 2:00 pm because I’m on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, we’re about 8-10km up.” A passenger took out his mobile phone and spoke sonorously, “Hey, I’m OK, I won’t land at Noi Bai [an international airport in Hanoi] before 2:00 pm because I’m on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, we’re about 8-10km up.” The male passenger in his 30s surprised the passengers around him who knew about the rule to turn off mobile phones during a flight. However, the air hostesses knew exactly what was going on. The guy just wanted to show off his expensive mobile phone, or it may have been his first time flying with national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and he was just pretending, for no mobile phone signals reach that altitude. This was a rare case that brought smiles to the air hostesses. Other … [Read more...] about Behind the smiles of Vietnam’s flight attendants
Major airports in Vietnam unfriendly: deputy transport minister
Friendliness is hard to find at the country’s biggest airports, even though Vietnam is known as a friendly country, Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu said Monday. Friendliness is hard to find at the country’s biggest airports, even though Vietnam is known as a friendly country, Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu said Monday. The transport official convened a meeting with units and businesses operating at Noi Bai International Airport after the Hanoi terminal along with Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City were listed among the ten worst in Asia by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, an airport review website. “We have to respect reviews by customers and foreign websites,” Deputy Minister Tieu said at the meeting. “Everyone knows infrastructure in Vietnam is undeveloped, but the country’s friendliness is always highly appreciated. “Sadly, there is little friendliness at the big local airports.” Noi … [Read more...] about Major airports in Vietnam unfriendly: deputy transport minister