Air India crew begins campaign against new spring uniform

Come April 14 and it will be Spring in Air India. The state-run carrier is all set to charm the passengers with the new dress of cabin crew - the theme of the attire ostensibly being "spring". However, the crew members are not amused, as they have to get the dresses stitched on their own, and there are issues regarding absence of Air India logo and insufficient number of sarees.

Members of the Air India crew have now begun a signature campaign against the new uniform.

Air India management did not respond to our repeated attempts to get their version on the issue. In an internal communication to its crew members, Air India management recently said, "The date (April 14) coincides with the onset of spring which is celebrated in various parts of the country in different forms, viz. Baisakhi, symbolising mustard which is a dominant colour in the new uniform."

The crew will now be seen in blue trouser, blue pinstripe shirt, red tie and blue jacket. The female crew will wear western dress in addition to the sarees. The new uniform has been designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

NOT IMPRESSED

But the new dress has not impressed the crew members who said it resembled that of the Jet Airways crew. Headlines Today is in possession of a letter written by the crew members to Air India management. In that letter the unhappy crew members have expressed their disappointment with the uniform, saying: "With the new uniform we feel that our aviation identity is totally lost. The new uniform has no flaps, no applets and cap.

As a result, the very identity of Air India isn't seen. The quality of material is very inferior compared to what used to be supplied to us till now." The letter further alleged that the pattern, colour and quality of the new uniform is not good, and for the sake of Air India's reputation the management should keep the dress launch on hold.

But that's not where the story ends. Air India crew members are agitated because they have to get their uniform stitched as well.

A crew from Mumbai said, "I am shocked. This has never happened before. Earlier the tailors used to get designated and measurements were taken by them. But now the scene has changed. There is no Air India logo on the jacket, and with blue trouser and red tie I would look like any other passenger. There would be no authority."

COPYING DESIGN

Another crew member said, "They are trying to save money but what have they done? The new dress is a copy of Jet Airways." The female crew members have another major concern.

"For a nine-day stint how can I manage with just two sarees? First they had planned to go with sarees, but later they wanted us to go for western dress as well. After we got them stitched, they are talking about specifications. This is sheer harassment."