AN airline has imposed strict new personal rules on its flight attendants, to make sure they look - and smell - the part.
Cabin crew members are known for their smart attire, but one airline is now taking extra steps to make sure their employees look as they would like.
Air India staff have been told, among other things, they can't have greying hair, bald patches or casual clothing, even if flying as a passenger and not as staff.
A 40-page booklet, handed out to staff in October, presented staff with the new guidelines, which are said to have not been well-received by the airline's flight attendants.
The book states that: “Grey hair is not permitted. Grey hair must be regularly coloured in a natural shade. Fashion colours and henna are not permitted."
Bald patches and receding hairlines aren't tolerated either, with staff with dwindling hair instead expected to keep "a clean shaved head/bald look" for which heads must be shaved "daily".
Faces are also expected to be hairless as part of the guidelines, with beards and 5 o'clock shadows not allowed.
In fact, male flight attendants are expected to carry a shaving kit "on every flight".
Wearing deodorant is now a must, but heavily scented perfumes aren't permitted, while less obviously important regulations prevent staff from carrying plastic bags or shopping bags in airports, or taking part in "unbecoming lounging" in groups.
Other rules insist on staff wearing minimal jewellery, "in order to avoid any delays at customs and security check" and not wearing "black or religious thread" on wrists, necks or ankles.
Male attendants also have to wear socks that are no longer or shorter than the calf, and that match the colour of their trousers.
The new rules haven't been met with much enthusiasm by Air India staff, one of whom told Hindustan Times: "Some think it is required for building the image of the airline, but others see it to be a little too much."
People online weren't too happy about it either.
One Twitter user said: "Your crew isn’t supposed to seduce us, just serve us. Let them be their age."
A second said the rules were "Very disturbing".
A third added: "This is ridiculous. I am sure every airline has similar rules but Air India first should teach and train the air hostess for better service and customer care and then look at these later."
Sun Online Travel approached Air India for comment.
While Air India's new guidelines may seem a bit extreme, there are examples of similar rules at other airlines.
Heather Poole - who worked for a major carrier for 15 years - shared several airline secrets, firing back at people who claim that the gig is not that hard.
For the first six months as new hires, all entry-level flight crew are on probation, and any small rule infraction can lead to immediate dismissal.
During the probation period, Poole knows people who have been fired for wearing their uniforms incorrectly, even if that just means tying a sweater around your waist.
One new crew member was immediately fired for trying to secure a free flight due to her attendant status.
And if you're sick, Poole says to not even think about flying. Flying sick as an airline attendant will be grounds for losing your job immediately.
And to even get the job, stewards have to be between 5'3" and 6'1" and cannot require a seatbelt extender to sit comfortably in an airline seat.
Meanwhile, these are the very specific height and weight restrictions some cabin crew members need to adhere to.
And there's a certain test must be passed by anyone hoping to become a flight attendant.