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No Kissing On American Airlines?
It's been almost a year since the shocking Lorrie Heasley story. Remember the woman removed from a Southwest Airlines flight in Reno when she refused to take off or cover her offensive "Meet the F*ckers" shirt? It caused quite a stir then, and as of late, another airline has been raising a ruckus in the gay community it seems. The New Yorker runs a rather detailed piece on an incident where George Tsikhiseli, a television journalist, and his writer boyfriend, Stephan Varnier, were told the plane would be diverted if they did not drop the issue of touching and kissing on the plane. Let me backtrack. The two passengers were on their way back into NYC from Paris when Varnier started dozing off and leaned his head on his partner Tsikhiseli. A stewardess came over and told them the purser said to stop the touching and kissing. The two passengers noted there was no kiss kissing, just mwah (smacking sound). When questioned, the purser also became rigid on the subject. Later, the purser informed Tsikhiseli that the captain would like to talk to him. The captain informed Tsikhiseli that if he didn't stop arguing with the crew, the plane would be diverted. Now, what I've just provided is a very through-the-grapevine look at the story, so I suggest you read the entire deal over at the New Yorker.
If power truly rests in numbers and this story were to get into the hands of the entire gay community, I would think American Airlines screwed up, but overall the situation just sounds overly bizarre.
via WorldHum
Filed under: Stories, North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 7 of 7)
Kevin Oct 1st 2006 5:46AM
IF this story is true, isn't it obvious that the Purser was a closet gay and taking it out on them? I'm sure we've all heard, "Me thinkst thou protest too much!" (If I have that correct)
hiba Oct 1st 2006 8:13AM
There is nothing sicker than to observe anyone or couples engaged in too much of anything,Especially in public. Remember the saying ,"THERE IS A PLACE AND TIME FOR EVERYTHING " ? Good for the airlines, others should adopt the same policy.
Kevin Oct 1st 2006 5:43AM
Carrie, I can't say how nice it is that you pigeon hole people. So since you were a Flight Attendant, can I assume that you're a bubble headed, bleached blonde with the IQ of a suitcase and boobs that cost more than my parents first house?
Kevin Oct 1st 2006 5:48AM
What do you mean, "What about the children!" Why should children be shielded from two lovers kissing? What's next, avoiding affection?
Kelli Oct 4th 2006 1:10PM
Well I got to say I am sure glad that no one came over last week and ask my boy friend and I to take the blanket off to see what we might have been doing under it,Kel
Gianni Oct 12th 2006 7:47AM
I work for the airlines and I think that the action of the crew was uncalled for,there is nothing wrong with kissing, I have traveled all over the world and in many cultures a KISS is like a hand shake, what is next ? " IN THE EVENT OF CUSTOMERS KISSING PULL MASKING TAPE AND APPLY GENTLY ON THE MOUTH OF THE OFFENDER AND BREATH NORMALLY UNTILL THE CREW IS LEVEL OFF TO THEIR SENSES" . I do understand having sexual acts on board are kinda weird, but a kiss? give me a break.A kiss is different than sucking face or making out, god I hope i don't get fired for kissing my dad on board and airplane. (MY REAL DAD) just in case I don't want any conffusions.
Mark Frequent Flyer Oct 13th 2006 5:07PM
I wrote AA and got a standard spin letter from them defending their actions. I made a poster up and am going to hang it around downtown Manhattan - letting people know they should not fly the unfriendly skies of American Airlines...I'm wondering how to go beyond just a bunch of flyers? Any ideas on how to really make a boycott something real instead of a few angry people here and there? Anyway if anyone is interested in starting a website, etc... let me know.
denny wathke Oct 23rd 2006 3:00AM
Get over it gay guy. Act like an adult not like a teenager in public. Its ok to show affection but try a little modesty. Unless you are trying to make a statement about your sexuality, in which case you can do that anywhere in our free country. Why try to ake a big deal about being gay all the time. You are no different from anyone else, so try acting like it. Most of us dont make out on the plane and we do follow the rules set forth by the airlines for what ever reason they are made.
Cheryl Oct 27th 2006 2:54PM
the flight staff of the airline industry has been given carte blanche in light of 911 and attribute all of their bad behavior and sub-par customer service to flight security. i realize they are only paid a pittance, but perhaps they should consider a field that doesn't include interaction with humans or at the very least the should teach nursery school and then they'll have a captive audience to bully.
Cheryl Oct 27th 2006 4:13PM
people keep saying they don't want their children exposed to displays of public affection (gay or straight) well, i hate to break it to you people, but your children are exactly the ones that need to be exposed to affection. 'cause if they aren't exposed to it now they are going to grow up to be the type of people the rest of us won't want to be exposed to when they're adults, you know..pedophiles, rapists, etc. teach your children about love and they will be able to love. teach your children hate and ignornance and they will be ignornant and will spew hate...and we'll probably hate them back.
cindy Oct 29th 2006 4:19PM
You must not be aware of American Airlines policies on homosexuals. .........there are none.......except that you can discriminate against them. American Airlines was one of the first companies to allow benefits to "partners" or "significate others". They do not discrimate and actually go as far as providing classes on hate-crime type of behavior. No one likes to see PDA overdone. Im sure you have heard the phrase "get a room". I believe this was probably inspired by heterosexual couples but does apply to everyone.
cindy Oct 29th 2006 4:23PM
correction...........you CANNOT discriminate against them.
grace Oct 29th 2006 4:28PM
you know what. i'm am glad that stewardess thol those men to knock it off. i know this is a free country but if they would like to be gay, do it where normal people dont have to look at that sick behavior. its morally incorrect beyond belif. Jesus bless those men and help them to get out of that lifestyle. WAY TO GO UNITED ARLINES!!!
Bob L Nov 3rd 2006 9:37AM
Seems to me, folks, that the threat to divert was a consequence of defying the flight crew's instructions, whatever they might be. The appropriate response would have been to comply, and then call and write supervisors once on the ground.
But there's another issue here. I have the perfect right to wear an obnoxious and offensive T shirt, should I choose to do so, but I do not, out of respect the sensibilities of those around me who might take offense. That's just good manners. Sorry to all those homosexuals out there, but the simple truth is that many if not most heteros find overt displays of gay affection, such as kissing and groping, to be bizarre and disturbing. That's just how it is. Can gays display good manners and consideration for the feelings of us unreconstructed, redstate straights, and keep it in private? And consider some advice, too, perhaps....demanding tolerance is all very well, but to insist on full acceptance of homosexual relationships may be dysfunctional. One, it'll never happen, and two, it tends to make gays more enemies than friends.
Badcowboy Nov 12th 2006 12:59PM
One one recent AA flight from Miami to San Francisco, my husband and I were holding hands. The flight attendant bought us a drink because he had made a vow many years earlier that if he saw two men holding hands, he would by them a drink. The entire flight crew was great.
Other flights on that trip with AA were pretty bad though -- most of the other flight attendants have bad attitudes toward everything - the airline needs to work on improving the attitudes of their flight crews.
I would probably have been more forceful and told the captain if he wanted to divert the plane because my husband and I were kissing to do it. It would have generated more negative publicity and outcry than the one article in the New Yorker.