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Shocking 'requirements' for cabin crew workers in 1954 go viral as people describe them as 'disgusting'

Home> Community> Viral

Published 17:32 13 Feb 2025 GMT

Shocking 'requirements' for cabin crew workers in 1954 go viral as people describe them as 'disgusting'

The huge list of requirements from the now-defunct airline got wilder with every new addition

Emily Brown

Emily Brown

A list of requirements given for people hoping to land a job as a cabin crew member in 1954 has gone viral, with each request almost more wild than the last.

And to give you a quick insight as to just how shocking they really are, the first one is 'Single - Not Engaged'. In a happy relationship? Sorry, you just don't make the cut.

The list has been shared far and wide after being posted on Reddit, where it received 35,000 upvotes on the 'interestingasf*ck' page. It was originally created by Chicago and Southern Air Lines (C&S), which no longer exists after it merged with Delta Air Lines.

The list had some very specific requirements for staff (Getty Stock Photo)
The list had some very specific requirements for staff (Getty Stock Photo)

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Even before we get into the requirements, the title of the document - "Qualifications for Stewardess" - is an indicator of a bygone era. Anyone can work in a cabin as long as they're qualified, but in 1954, the rules were made purely for women.

After kicking off with the aforementioned 'Single - Not Engaged', the other rules were as follows:


  • "Between the ages of 22 and 28" (it's unclear what happened on your 29th birthday if you were already employed. Simply pushed off the jetbridge?)
  • "Between 5'2" and 5'5.
  • "Between 100 and 120 pounds" (again, I'm not sure what the rules were if you just ate a bit too much over Thanksgiving).
  • "Good eyesight (No glasses).
  • "Good teeth (Even no gold showing when smiling).
  • "Good figure."


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We're not done. The list went on:


  • "Slender legs.
  • "Natural color to hair.
  • "At least four years of college or two years of college and two years business experience.
  • "The ability to carry on a lively conversation" (God forbid you have a bad day)
  • "Good carriage" (There's some speculation this refers to the employees' butt, though it's hard to say for sure).
  • "Even temper - must not become provoked by demands of passengers.
  • "Willing and anxious to please.
  • "Willing to transfer.
  • "Citizen of the United States.
  • "Excellent health.
  • "Clear skin.
  • "Nice hands."
The cabin crew had to have 'clear skin' and 'nice hands' (Getty Stock Photo)
The cabin crew had to have 'clear skin' and 'nice hands' (Getty Stock Photo)

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Needless to say, these kind of requirements wouldn't fly now.

The list has left viewers shocked, with one Reddit user writing: "God, this is so disgusting to me."

Another joked: "This reads like a bunch of dudes sitting around a typewriter with one of them occasionally saying: “oh and don’t forget ______.”"

"I love how literally everything is superficial. All about looks and such," another wrote, adding: "And then, oh ya, 4 year college degree required lmao."

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Though the list has gone viral for its bizarre demands, historian and former pilot Dan Bubb, who is also a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Newsweek the requirements look 'accurate' for the time.

He explained: "Many young ladies aspired to become flight attendants because it looked glamorous, fun, and they could travel and see the world."

Now, however, Bubb said: "The requirements to become a flight attendant have changed because those original requirements were perceived as discriminatory.

"Flight attendants still must look and dress professionally, and pass rigorous training and tests, but the height and weight restrictions have largely disappeared."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Thomas Barwick

Topics: Reddit, Viral, Travel

Emily Brown
Emily Brown

Emily Brown is UNILAD Editorial Lead at LADbible Group. She first began delivering news when she was just 11 years old - with a paper route - before graduating with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University. Emily joined UNILAD in 2018 to cover breaking news, trending stories and longer form features. She went on to become Community Desk Lead, commissioning and writing human interest stories from across the globe, before moving to the role of Editorial Lead. Emily now works alongside the UNILAD Editor to ensure the page delivers accurate, interesting and high quality content.

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