Went to open interview event in outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Attended with three other aspiring FA's. We had all been to hiring events in the past for other airlines and some if us had even briefly attended training for an airline. We arrived early and were greeted warmly by the hotel staff, but received a lukewarm greeting from one of the FA recruiters who looked a bit annoyed that we had arrived so early and stated they would not begin until 5:00 pm. We continued to greet the other candidates. Working the room, introducing ourselves, gathering information about one another smiling, laughing and enjoying ourselves, the hint of competition was not evident in the room.
The recruiters began to set up promptly at 5:00. We formed a line where we were asked three questions and then sent to a corner for a height test. ( you must meet the strict height requirement and you are asked to remove your shoes, be mindful of holes in your socks or runners in your hose, as this seemingly small fashion faux pas could reduce your chances of a f2f) When I went over for my height test ( which I knew I would pass, as I am only 5'2 without shoes) the recruiter frowned at me and looked at my hair ( I was wearing a hairpiece that is a flowy pony tail. Hair must be up, and away from your face, and mine was, it was just for lack of a better term " poufy" but remained polished and professional.) She proceeded to place her hand on top of my head and push down on the hairpiece as she frowned. She then said " Well you meet the height requirement, even with YOUR hair." In the moment I didn't hear the sarcasm. It literally screamed at me later.
There were three recruiters two females and a male. My friends and I strongly felt the older recruiter had a blatant bias against me, and therefore I was denied a f2f. She was not warm or friendly toward me at all, and in the end I did not make the f2f cut. Though dressed appropriately and provided poised, and polished responses.