'Women lied to get jobs at Virgin'

WOMEN were forced to lie about their age just to get to first base in applying for jobs as flight attendants on no-frills carrier Virgin Blue, a witness has told a discrimination hearing in Brisbane, Australia.

Experienced flight attendant Maureen Mulherin, 56, said she knocked several years off her age to improve her chances of getting a job with Virgin Blue in 2002.

'I knew if I put my real age down, I probably wouldn't stand a chance, she told the tribunal.

She is one of eight women between 36 and 56, all former flight attendants-with failed domestic Aussie carrier Ansett, who are complaining that Virgin used selection criteria based only on looks and age and ignored their experience.

Maree Troian said she had called a Virgin Blue recruitment phone line in 2001 on behalf of her husband, who wanted to apply for a flight attendant's position. She said she was told her husband had no chance because he was over 35.

Virgin Blue refutes the allegations on age discrimination, saying its selection criteria was based on 'behavioural competencies'.