Airlines confirm discriminatory policy
Don’t travel alone if you are a male. That seems to be the message being sent loud and clear by the major carriers after a NZ man was asked to move seats because he was sitting next to a child.
Is this political correctness gone mad? The traveller, Mark Worsley, a married man with twin boys said , “It was humiliating. In the beginning, I was embarrassed. Later on, I was angry.”
Experts in equality law yesterday criticised Qantas, Virgin Blue and other carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines for allegedly stereotyping men as a potential danger to youngsters.
The president of the NSW anti-discrimination board, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said that on face value, the policy could be open to a legal challenge.
“If this had happened in NSW, I would think there would be a case for him to take it up with the anti-discrimination board,” Mr Kerkyasharian said.
Under federal law, sex discrimination is illegal in the provision of goods and services.
The airlines stated yesterday that they felt that women related better to children. United Airlines spokesman said women “were more maternal”. Glad he cleared that up for us.
Air New Zealand spokeswoman Rosie Paul said the airline had a similar policy to that of Qantas.
When asked if the airline considered male passengers to be dangerous to children, Paul replied: “That’s not what I said.”
So there it is. Men can’t be trusted with the kids. Might as well head to the pub.
The Mole
Graham Muldoon
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