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Southwest Airlines suspends, reinstates pilot after profanity-laced rant

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd 2011 at 12:00PM

Southwest Airlines confirms that it suspended a pilot who was caught ranting over air traffic control channels in a profane, misogynistic and homophobic manner. The event, originally reported by CBS 2 in Houston, states that the pilot's speech on March 25 tied up frequencies for other pilots in the area.

CBS 2 (see the video reporting on the incident) says the unidentified pilot "could be heard talking to his co-pilot in the cockpit, expressing frustration over the airline hiring so many flight attendants that he found to be unsuitable for dating." "A continuous stream of gays and grannies and grandes," the pilot could be heard saying from the cockpit via the Houston Center air traffic control frequency.

Apparently, the pilot didn't take into account that he himself might not be date-able (he complains that he couldn't get laid because women he took to a bar just wanted to complain). He also ignored an air traffic controller who tried to interrupt the rant at several points. [Listen to the audio here]

The pilot bemoans his station in Houston, saying that the base has "just a handful of cute chicks."

CBS 2 reported that air traffic control sent the tape to the Federal Aviation Administration, who in turn forwarded the tape to Southwest Airlines for review. The FAA confirmed that the conversation did take place at a time when personal conversations were permitted in the cockpit.

Southwest issued an e-mail statement to CBS2, stating: "we've built our Company's reputation on the Golden Rule: treating others as you would like to be treated. The actions of this pilot are, without question, inconsistent with the professional behavior and overall respect that we require from our Employees." The pilot was suspended without pay, but has been allowed to return to duty after undergoing diversity training.

What do you think? Is Southwest that short on pilots that this one should have been allowed to return?

[USA Today also reported on this issue.]

[Flickr via Kevin Coles]

Filed under: Stories, Airlines, Consumer Activism

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Reader Comments (Page 3 of 5)

BDS Jun 22nd 2011 1:36PM

@ Nancy.. A "Stuck Mike" cannot be diserned in the cock pit unless you are looking directly at the fequency controler. Not something you would typicaly be directing your attention to. Not a cause for dismissal be any means. Personal feelings about the lousy time you've had with co-workers isn't either. Obviously, he has some issues in interpersonal relationships but that has no impact on his abilties to perform his duties. As one of the "Out of Work" pilots I think the "sensetivity" class and suspention were more than enough to get the point across.

john waugen Jun 22nd 2011 1:51PM

C'mon, the guy wasn't getting laid. That would make any (normal man) use profane language.

sab Jun 22nd 2011 1:53PM

Sourthwest must have some ugly Flight Attendants. Maybe he should try another airline for dating!

SAB

joan h. Jun 22nd 2011 1:53PM

True, this guy is a total jerk. He deserved to be reprimanded by his airline and to lose pay.
But, if his piloting skills are excellent and he learns to keep his big mouth to himself and like-minded cronies, off the air, of course, I do not think he should lose his job.
I say this in spite of the fact that I am, indeed, a ''granny.'' Of course, I would not want my bright and lovely 21-year-old granddaughter to go out with him or anyone like him!

fred Jun 22nd 2011 2:06PM

Whats the beef? I have been flying for over 20 years and I agree wityh this pilot. The airlines are hireing some real dogs these days. It use to be, you and a good looking stew would head for the bar on a layover and maybe hit the sack for a red eye in the AM. Now a days who wants to waste bucks on some dog broad who whines like a siren and wants you to listen to her problems with her old man who is a lush and a womanizer.

sally Jun 22nd 2011 2:30PM

Some of you guys have the mistaken idea the airlines should cater to your frustrated sexual desires and fantisies. Airplanes are not whore houses. When you land go directly to one of those because apparrently that's the only way you could get the attention of a female - with a captive audience. However, maybe the airlines are missing out on another yet method to get another fare out of their customers - for supplying women. LOL

Joey Jun 22nd 2011 2:30PM

I find this HYSTERICAL...I love SW but I had to notice that 99% of the attendants are either old or gay guys...not that there's anything wrong with that...if a pilot can't get laid he must be HIDEOUS!!!!

james Jun 22nd 2011 2:38PM

OPINION IS JUST THAT,DONT MAKE IT WRONG,JOB WELL DONE S.W.AIRLINES SAFETY FIRST---GOLDEN RULE IS WHAT HE NEED TO READ AND UNDERSTAND MORE

estimatorone Jun 22nd 2011 2:51PM

I agree with most. We still have not lost our freedom of speech. If
the pilot has a good record then why should he lose his job? The
fact that he left the mike key down was his only stupid mistake. It
appears that no one was in danger. So, shrug it off, give the guy
a reprimand/retraining, or whatever, and move on. If it happens
again, well, deal with that then. Private conversations between
two people are just that, no matter if you overheard them or not.
It does not matter if they were vulger or not.

jim Jun 22nd 2011 2:51PM

now we know what they do in the" COCKPIT"

glcherrick Jun 22nd 2011 2:51PM

I would have a beer with this guy any day. Other than the fact that he aired his grievences over an open channel he speaks honestly. Flight travel is not what it used to be where the passenger is concerned. Not only has the average age of a flight attendant doubled but so has the size. Don't sit in the aisle or lose your elbow as they pass back and forth and nail you with their oversized backside, not to mention the pain on your eyes when they bend over to get a drink. It's all you can do to keep out of the way and keep your eyes closed. On top of everything they have bad attituteds and openly complain about passengers as they pass out a poor excuse for a meal. There was a reason stewardesses had to meet weight requirements in the first place and it was not all about looks. Unfortunately in this PC world of ours you can't have those requirements, so this is what you get. Congrats folks, when are we going to learn!

Romaine Poindexter Jun 22nd 2011 3:42PM

John - Don't worry about the grammar. Nationally known reporters are just as guilty. Besides, it isn't bad manners to use bad grammar. It is very bad manners to publicly correct that of another adult. Who would not rather be guilty of a grammatical slip that deliberate rudeness? As for the pilot--maybe he could run for political office. He should fit right in with our current crop of politicians.

Snaproll Jun 22nd 2011 3:42PM

Two guys and he was thinking it was private. Should have seen the light showing he was transmitting when he was complaining about the women he was meeting. I would like to know if there is any difference when two women are talking about some of the men they meet. Probably not.

Jeannie Jun 22nd 2011 3:04PM

Anyone who has ever had to deal with Southwest Airline crews outside the airport knows how dreadful they are! With out a doubt the rudest most crude bunch of
so called professionals I've ever dealt with.

Alex Jun 22nd 2011 4:17PM

The only special "training" this pilot needed was training in keeping his mike off when blowing off steam. He should have been given a warning , that's all. Too many of us have become oh so sensitive cry babies. He complains about gays? Big deal. He wants to see younger STEWARDESSES so he can try to date them? So what? The only thing that matters is that he's a good pilot , not this politically correct crap.