Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos.Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Robin Hood
Jeff Bezos' partnerLauren Sánchezis getting candid about an unpleasant encounter that set her on a new career path.
The Emmy-award-winning journalist and helicopter pilot, 53, toldWSJ Magazinein a recent interview that when she was 18, she wanted to become a flight attendant. However, her dreams were dashed when, she says, she failed a mandatory weigh-in for a position with Southwest Airlines in 1989.
“Back then, they weighed you, and I weighed 121 pounds,” she explains. “They said, ‘You need to be 115.'” She noted that if she had to do it all over again she would say, “I don’t want to be a stewardess. I want to be the pilot!”
Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Southwest’scurrent flight attendant careers pagestates that for prospective candidates, “Weight must be of such proportion to height that a neat appearance is maintained and the physical ability to perform all job functions is not hindered.” It also notes potential flight attendants need to be at least 20 years old, maintain “a well-groomed appearance,” and be able to lift 50 lbs. to shoulder height among other physical qualifications.
Lauren Sanchez Instagram
She tellsWSJthat she tries to fly at least three times per week to stay up to date, and often shuttles both her and Bezos’ family around.
“I don’t know why more women don’t do it,” she says, adding that when other women find out what she does, they’re often shocked. “They’re like, “What? You’re such a bada–!” And I want to say it’s really not that hard. I do want more women to get involved in it.”
Up next, she’s hoping to fly somewhere a little higher. She told the publication that she’ll be on an upcoming Blue Origin trip to space with an all-female crew of “women who are making a difference in the world and who are impactful and have a message to send.”
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“He’s very encouraging and excited, and he’s thrilled we’re putting this group together,” she adds.
But, she also said, Bezos, 59, won’t be going. “As much as he wants to go on this flight, I’m going to have to hold him back,” she saysin the interview. “He’ll be cheering us all on from the sidelines.”
source: people.com
