A passenger claims she was charged for her carry-on bag while boarding a Ryanair flight – while another woman with the exact same bag wasn’t. That other woman? She was “gorgeous.”
The woman was flying from Leeds in the U.K. to Alicante, Spain. Her bag was flagged as too big, though she says she’s been traveling with it for ten years. It probably was too big, at least for Ryanair. It’s also probably true she’s gotten away with it before.
I’m absolutely disgusted with Ryanair! I’ve just been held up for 20 minutes because they said my cabin bag was too big and I must pay an EXTRA £75 for it to go in the hold. Alternatively I can leave it and forfeit the bag and its contents!
It’s funny (not funny) how other bags that are exactly the same were allowed through without comment. It’s a good job I took the photo of this (gorgeous) girl pushing her case into the box and being allowed through. Mine is the pink case and I see no difference whatsoever. I’m obviously not young or good-looking enough!!!!!
Eventually (using the photographic evidence) I was allowed through.
I’m stressed to high-hell and hope I can calm down and get into holiday mode before we land
Now, this woman thinks she was flagged because as an older woman she’d be more likely to be compliant although that stereotype hardly resonates universally. Maybe the other woman was simply missed – like she had been in the past? I’d think that if looks had been the issue, the gate agent would have wanted to slow them down for the interaction? What’s the upside of just waving them through?
Call it pretty privilege, appearance advantage, beauty bias or the glamour gap though, research definitely shows a “Beauty Premium” in wages. Attractive people tend to earn more. Studies indicate that attractive workers can earn up to 10-15% more than their less attractive counterparts.
Similarly, less attractive individuals often face an earnings penalty, with some studies suggesting a 5-10% decrease in earnings compared to average-looking workers.
Attractive individuals are also more likely to be hired and promoted. In one study, resumes with photos of attractive individuals received 36% more callbacks than resumes with no photo or with photos of less attractive people. Attractive people are also more likely to be promoted within companies, even when controlling for other factors such as job performance and education.
Attractiveness leads people to attribute positive traits like intelligence, competence, and trustworthiness and are perceived as more confident and charismatic. Studies suggest that attractive defendants are 22% less likely to be convicted and, if convicted, often receive lighter sentences.
And, I guess, there’s an attractiveness premium for passengers now, too?
(HT: Live and Let’s Fly)
Ban All carry-on suitcases and All dogs . Two problems solved .
Maybe it is jealousy at work here instead of pretty privilege.
I honestly think this situation is very stupid indeed. I really don’t get how airports can get away with pulling this kinda garbage at all and maybe travelling customers should start calling this petty shit out when airports choose to pull this stupid shit
Another fact (proven by a number of surveys) is that taller men are hired and promoted more often that shorter men. Also, over weight people have a less chance of being hired and promoted. Some are unconscious biases and others are that businesses decide who they want to be a representative of their company. Many claim that is “unfair” but businesses have to do what is in their best interest.
Attractiveness is in your hands to some degree.
Smile. This counteracts RBF.
Eat healthy, drink lots of water, and stay active. This will improve not only your physique but also your skin, hair, etc.
Consult a hair stylist and develop a regimen of products like pomade and hairspray.
Consult a bespoke tailor and build a wardrobe of fitted clothes that suit you.
Take charisma classes. EQ is a skill. Social skills are skills that can be learned and developed with practice and time.
Very few people are hopelessly ugly. The average person has a good chance of becoming gorgeous with effort.
Attractive people get better service. Scientific fact based on DNA programming. Deal with it. Eat less!
Life is tough and full of challenges…and “it’s NOT fair.” My approach is to try my best to project beauty from the INSIDE of me, and “pay forward” the many kindnesses from others from which I have benefitted over a lifetime; be grateful.
To counter Pretty Privilege and other benefits given to the tall and attractive, I make it a point to defer to average-looking, old and fat people, and actively interfere with pretty ones.
Maxine, firstly well done.
Secondly, your case looks smaller than the other one.
Thirdly, I don’t find the gorgeous’ lady gorgeous at all!
Hope you enjoyed Spain!
If you look at the photos, you will notice that the photo of the pink bag is at 90 degrees and shows the pink bag clearly sticking out. The blue bag on the other hand has been photographed at around 80 degrees (but not 90 degrees as evidenced by the fact you can see the far end of the bag and the container) and therefore seems similar but is not. The blue bag looks as though it does stick out approximately 1cm… the pink bag looks to be around 4-5cm. They may have some tolerance levels and unfortunately the pink back is larger and may have broken the tolerance.
Extremely attractive people actually have a harder time often in the workplace bc they have to prove they are good at their job and didn’t get it based on looks.