They train for a catwalk in the air

New Delhi: What do fashion shows and airlines have in common? If you ask Winston D’souza, the answer is obvious: the ramp, of course.
D’souza, a marketing executive of Gladrags Career Academy, said the Mumbai training centre has recently certified two batches of 20 students, training them in both modelling and how to be an air hostess.
“Frankly, when you are on the aircraft, people are looking up to the hostess on the ramp,” said D’souza. “The person is representing the brand on the ramp… They are brand ambassadors.”
It’s not just a hunch—airlines and beauty do go hand in hand, especially when it comes to recruitment.In Gladrags’ programmes for models and air hostesses are run together.
Gladrags’ training—Rs25,000 for one month—focuses on both cabin crew training and ramp modelling, covering topics such as effective body language, English language, fitness, hygiene and stress management. Trainees are also given a complete makeover, headed by Maureen Wadia, a former model and Air India hostess. The trainees also receive direct placement with GoAir, the airline founded by Wadia’s younger son.
With domestic airlines such as GoAir growing, human resources departments are getting creative in recruitment tactics.
Flying Cats’ (an institute headquartered in Chandigarh) course is one year long and includes classes on in-flight training, first aid and personality development. It frequently ropes in actors and models to reflect what is possible for students; its national launch on a chartered Kingfisher flight from Delhi to Chandigarh and back had actress Kareena Kapoor as chief guest, while model and Femina Miss Universe winner Neha Dhupia inaugurated a centre in Dehradun.
In May, the Kingfisher Training Academy launched a six-month programme in Mumbai.
Schreyas Nair, deputy general manager of the Kingfisher Training Academy, said that while there is no guarantee its trainees would land a job with Kingfisher Airlines, the expectation is that most will. The course costs a cool Rs1 lakh. “Kingfisher airline girls bring a lot more glamour,” Nair said.
Good looks are one thing, but brains are essential, say some in the industry who advocate the introduction of standards to ensure quality. The Air Hostess Academy says it interviewed 20,000 candidates this year and accepted only half.
15/10/07 Aliyah Shahid/Livemint