Stewardess 'simulated sex' with 'terrorist'

VIRGIN Blue, the no-frills Australian airline founded by Sir Richard Branson, has hit back at allegations that it only employed pretty young blondes as flight attendants.

Eight women aged between 36 and 56 have taken the airline to the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in Brisbane, claiming the selection process homed in on young blonde women at the expense of older, experienced candidates.

But former Virgin Blue recruiter Leigh Richardson told the tribunal that one of the women, Theresa Stewart, 56, had been rejected for inappropriate behaviour during a role-playing exercise as part of the selection process.

That involved a sketch based on the scenario of a terrorist boarding a plane, during which Stewart wrestled the 'terrorist' to the ground and then straddled the man.

'She was thrusting her hips slightly above the man in what appeared to be a sexual act,î Richardson told the tribunal.

'From the reaction displayed by the man and the other group members, they were shocked.'

Under examination by Virgin Blue's lawyers, Stewart said she had a 'huge objection' to Richardson's accusations.

While a fellow recruiter, Tamara Gibson, supported Richardson's testimony, another applicant in Stewart's group could not recall the incident. Leane Gillman was ultimately accepted for a job at Virgin Blue but told the tribunal she was anxious about being too old for the airline, despite being only 32.

But Gibson described the incident in similar terms to Richardson. 'I remember Theresa Stewart actually pushed the hijacker to the ground ... he looked surprised,' she said. 'That's when she put her leg over him, straddled him and said 'Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?'.'

The hearing is expected to conclude today.