Shocking: Flight attendants forced to strip
A group of flight attendants have staged a protest after claiming they were forced to participate in strip searches.
The SpiceJet Crew have alleged they were involved in an invasive search after leaving the plane at Chennai Airport due to suspicion they had been concealing cash collected from food and drinks sold on board, reports News.com.
The crew claim two female crew members were forced to strip in front of the airline’s female ground staff.
One of the female crew members said the alleged search was “targetting and degrading their femininity” in a letter to the airline’s management, according to Newsweek.
“We were treated like criminals the moment we stepped out of the aircraft. Two male staff escorted us to a room where 4-5 female group staff were waiting,” the letter said, according to ANI News.
“They opened our bags and checked everything from our clothes to mandatory items and all the personal and private belongings of ladies even they were new and sealed,”
The women were also allegedly told to remove their sanitary pads and claim they were touched “inappropriately”.
The crew have since refused to work in the airport.
SpiceJet has confirmed it carried out a random “pat down” search but denies the searches were inappropriate.
“The SOP does not entail asking anyone to take off their clothes,” a spokesman for the airline told The Times of India.
“Allegations regarding deviation from these SOPs are being investigated and strict action will be taken if anybody is found guilty.”
“As per security and safety SOP, random ‘pat down’ search is conducted on various employees, including cabin crew, from time to time – a global industry practice.”
“One of the objectives of this search is to ensure that there is no pilferage of company money/goods, smuggling or any illegal activity that an employee may be lured into.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Chennai flight attendant india spicejet strip searchLatest News
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