This Just In: Air India Says No to 9 Overweight Hostesses

Anywhere from 24 to 70 pounds over the weight limit was enough to put nine Air India hostesses in the New Dehli unemployment lines after they were let go by Air India. The high court in India has ruled that Air India has a right to fire these flight attendants from the ground jobs they were given when they were labeled "too-fat-to fly" by the airline.

Check out additional articles:

BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7813180.stm

The Jetiquette Card

Dear Sky Steward,

I was told that you offered a "Jetiquette" card that described behavior that should be avoided on airplanes and more about travel manners and etiquette. Can you tell me where I can find a copy?

Thanks,

Skybound in Seattle


Dear Skybound,

The Sky Steward is more than happy to make this available to you!

Happy Flying!

The First Class Walk of Shame

From The Sky Steward

I think we can all agree that once you get used to flying in first or business class, it can be rather addictive. Once you become used to this way of traveling it becomes a virtual "walk of shame" when you have to pass through first class on your way back to your economy seat. BTW, if you are seated in coach, check out http://www.seatguru.com/ in order to find the best coach seat.

Have you ever noticed how, when your seated in first class, you almost feel sorry for the people that are walking through on their way back to coach. Well, multiply that by 10 for how sorry we feel for ourselves when we've failed to get that seat up front and we pass through the forward cabin and all of the lucky souls with their mimosas in hand. What we need to do is insure we don't have to do this walk-of-shame too often.

There are lots of ways, in addition to paying for it, to end up in the premium cabin. Here are a couple:

1. Check in at the airport between 2 and 4 hours in advance at the self-service kiosk and you may be offered an upgrade.

2. Check on the airlines web site closer to departure. If there is a special for the premium cabin on the flights you are booked, you can call the airline. They should let you pay the difference for the seat in first or business class.

The best way to be sure that you are positioned for an upgrade is to concentrate on one airline for most of your travel so that you will become one of their frequent fliers. If you want advice on how to quickly become an elite tier traveler in an airlines frequent flier program, you should check out a great website: http://www.flyertalk.com/.

There are lots of tips there to help you get the the top levels of any airline's frequent flier program (ex. gold, platinum, etc.) Then you will be able to easily upgrade from almost any fare with inexpensive upgrade stickers.


Just so you know, I've seen Jaqueline Bissett, Harry Hamlin, Penny Marshall, Britney Spears, and more do the walk-of-shame as they continued through to their coach seats. So when it is unavoidable, we're in good company.

What is a Luxury Layover?

The Sky Steward loves to enjoy 'Luxury Layovers'! Let us tell you some of the things that normally happen on Luxury Layovers so that you will be well rested and prepared before jetting off. It's alot to do in 24 hours, but here is a sample of what The Sky Steward and friends do while on a layover.

AGENDA

• Pick up at the airport by private Lincoln sedan.
• Taken to 5 Star Hotel or Resort
• Check-in to Luxury Accommodations
• Pre-Shopping Luxury Lunch and Cocktails
• Shopping Spree (to make it fun, we look for bargains)
• Post-Shopping Gourmet Snack and Cocktails
• Late-Afternoon Massage, Mani, and Pedi
• Luxury Gourmet Dinner
• Entertainment in the Evening
• Luxurious Night's Sleep
• Sumptuous Room Service Breakfast
• Morning Workout and Steam
• Luxury Transfer to the Airport
• Flight Home

He hopes you'll join him on a non-working layover soon!

Sign up for the Jetiquette Travel Club and you could be enjoying a luxury layover in the Fall of 2009. Details will be included in the Jetiquette Travel Club Newsletter!

Things That Go Bump in the Flight

Dear Sky Steward,
My fiance and I recently returned to Washington from Paris on United Airlines. Although this flight was very pleasant, our overnight flight to Paris was a nightmare. We were disturbed several times by the flight crew's loud conversations in the galley, plus there was a lot of noise from cart doors being slammed and such. It was impossible to sleep. Are flight crew members told to keep the noise down on overnight flights?

Thanks,
Sleepless in the Capitol

Dear Sleepless,

The Sky Steward is deeply disturbed by your horrendous experience. Your suspicions are correct that flight crews are told to keep the noise down on night flights. Unfortunately it does not happen as much as it should and there are many travellers like yourself who've arrived at their final destination with red eyes on the "red-eye" due to the racket.

Although you should probably write to the airline to complain (if you are a frequent flier, you may receive some sort of compensation), The Sky Steward suggests that you also invest in some noise canceling headsets so that you will be able to sleep regardless of how the crew conducts themselves. Here are some suggested types below to get you started. TIP: Plug them into an MP3 Player with your favorite relaxing music and you won't care if the crew is setting off fireworks in the galley!

Our Noise Canceling Headphone Picks

What Not to Wear While Traveling

Dear Sky Steward,

Last year there was a lot in the news about people being removed from flights and/or humiliated while traveling by air. Do you have any advice that you can give to me so that I not only travel in comfort, but have a little flair as well?

Thanks,
Fashionista Wannabe, Locust Valley, NY

Dear Fashionista,

The Sky Steward wishes to emphasize that most of the people that were removed from flights or humiliated were not really using too much sound judgement when putting their ensembles together for their trips. You would never choose a skirt that rises two feet above the knee, would you? The Sky Steward understands that you are simply looking for alternatives to being too formal. After all, the days of 1950's air travel are long gone. There is no need, however, to give up on traveling in style.

The Sky Steward keeps his wardrobe recommendations for traveling very simple; keep it classic and conservative and regularly consults with his fashion coach Stephen Licata, who also owns retail clothing boutiques in South Florida and the Hamptons. The Sky Steward applauds you for reaching out for advice. If travellers do not wish to dress up too much for travel, here are some suggestions:

For Men: Jeans or other casual pants are fine, but add a sport coat, blazer, or a t-shirt with light vest and take it up a notch. Athletic shoes are OK, but some casual loafers (he prefers Gucci of course) or italian style driving shoes are much better.

For Women: A scoop neck or v-neck solid t-shirt with a lightweight cashmere sweater (they are only $39.00 at K-Mart) plus a stretch jeans or another pant that a percentage of stretch (such as Lycra blend) for comfort.

He would also suggest a loafer/ballet slipper with an attractive buckle that dresses them up perfectly. Make sure to coordinate your belt and shoes.

And don't forget the simple leather buckle belt. Do forget the bling (no jeweled belts please) and grunge is completely grounded (everyone knows that, right?).

Men's Travel Grooming Tips by Request

Dear Sky Steward,

I met you at one of your events and you looked marvelous! How do you do it? I would love it if my husband's hair was a little more like yours and how did your skin look so good?

Will you share your secrets?

Thanks,
Joanne in Macon, GA

Dear Joanne,

The Sky Steward will not only share his secrets; he wanted to give you access to the products he uses as well. These are great for men's skin care and there is a magical hair styling product from Paul Mitchell that he swears by. In fact, he was a bit reluctant to share it. Most of the products are completely self-explanatory except for 2 in particular.

• The Shiseido Color Stick is to add a little bit of bronze color if your husbands skin has been confined to the indoors exclusively and it looks extremely natural and it is used by some of the most manly husbands known to The Sky Steward.


• Benefit Dr. Feelgood is excellent to rub on after using the L'Oreal moisturizer and the bronzer (if needed). It makes the skin look smooth and healthy and gives a matte, well groomed finish.

Link Directly to The Sky Steward Skincare Secrets Boutique

Bare Feet on a Plane! Special Report

The Sky Steward was recently made aware of an increase of Jetiquette infractions regarding bare feet. Watch this special video now!

Overhead Compartment Squatting

Dear Sky Steward:
I recently witnessed a man putting his bag in an overhead bin at the front of the plane and then walking back to his seat in the back of the plane. When the people who were sitting in that row under his bag arrived, there was not room for their luggage and they had to walk several rows back to find an empty bin. Is this right?

Regards, Witness to a Crime

Dear Witness,
The Sky Steward understands the stress of witnessing this type of inconsiderate behavior and wants you to know that it's not right. If you see someone do this and it is causing problems, let a flight attendant know. It is up to them to have the passenger move the bag. Sometimes they can just let the passenger know that their action has caused an inconvenience to another passenger.

Bless the Beast or Are They Children?

Dear Sky Steward,

I was recently on a flight in which a mother had 3 children with her. She could barely control them and besides being loud, they created one of the biggest messes I have ever seen. There were snacks, papers, even Q-Tips thrown all over the floor.

Is it right to treat the floor of an airplane as a garbage can? Can you tell the mothers out their that Jetiquette requires everyone to be aware of others that are sharing the space.

Thanks,
Unwilling Childcare Worker

Dear Unwilling,

The Sky Steward can feel your pain! He recently gifted a grey plastic bag to a messy mother in order for her to collect 'debris' from her children and the floor and place it where it should be. Trash on the floor or in seat back pockets is not just from traveling families; even business people are guilty. There are people who need to understand that they must consider others traveling around them or after them on a later flight in the seat they are occupying for short time.

Next time, tell the flight attendant you almost tripped on the trash. He or she will take it from there.