American Airlines flight attendant Beth Henry told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that since the company’s new gray uniform was introduced last year, her eyes have been itchy, and her throat swells when she is on an AA plane—and she is not the only one. According to Cosmopolitan, 4,600 (!!) employees have complained about the side effects seemingly caused by the uniforms, ranging from migraines to hives, as well as other allergic reactions. Although the airline has ordered replacements, Henry feels that American Airlines is not protecting her and other flight attendants. “The only thing that will make us safe is if there is a total recall,” she said.
The company issued a statement saying, “All the scientific evidence we have available to us tells us these uniforms are safe for wear,” but reports by thousands of AA employees paint a different picture. It’s hard to believe that the symptoms experienced by thousands of attendants is a mere coincidence.
“We have 75,000 people who like this uniform,” said airline CEO Doug Parker at an employee meeting. “So that’s not the answer. We know that. But also the answer can’t just be deal with it. This is a real issue for a large number of flight attendants. We will keep working through it.” Here’s to hoping American gets to the bottom of this issue, and issues a total recall if the uniforms are in fact proven to be the culprit.