Hestaman From United States, joined Jun 2008, 10 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9620 times:
Before I get to the main point of this post, I'd like to say that I've been a reader of this forum for years and have thoroughly enjoyed many of the discussions and love to follow the airline industry. This is my first post - and as much as I hate to start off on such a negative foot - I had to post this to see wether or not I am justified in being appalled about what happened on a flight I was on yesteday... This is the letter I submitted on United.com about my experience:
I was on United flight 1189 yesterday departing from Denver going to Spokane, Washington (GEG). My wife and I were seated in seats 20A and B. When we boarded the aircraft, there was a piece of baggage sitting on seat 20C. Eventually, another passenger boarded the aircraft who was assigned to seat 20C and asked us to move the bag. We told the passanger that the bag was not ours. When we notified the flight attendant about the bag, he asked the passengers immidiately surrounding us if anybody owned the bag - nobody replied. Eventually he put the bag on the floor (in the isle) and went about his business of pre-boarding (this was the back of the aircraft).
At the time, I thought it was disconcerting that a large bag was on the plane that did not have an owner - as did several other passengers seating around us (particularly those seated behind us in seats 21ABC. About 5 minutes later the flight attendant came back, lifted up the bag from the isle and put it in the overhead. At this point, a passenger sitting in row 21 asked the flight attendant if the bag had an owner to which he replied jokingly 'No sir, there's a bomb in that bag.' He then went a few rows forward and then turned around and said, 'I'm just kidding - it is a flight attendant's bag.'
I was appalled as were several other passengers. I know that if any one of the passengers on that flight had made the same remark, we'd be escorted off of the flight in handcuffs. I've never seen such unprofessional behavior in a flight attendant and I would like to know what specific actions will be taken to prevent this kind of unsensitive remark from ever happening in the future.
I did not get the flight attendant's name, but he was the only male flight attendant working the coach section and was of Asian decent.
Hi there and welcome to airliners.net and congrats on your first post.
Now to the topic: It is for sure not acceptable for an F/A or any crew member on board to do such a comment. It is not funny and not professional as you said.
I bet he just wanted to be funny, but this is far from funny.
I had trouble with am immigration officer once calling me a terrorist. He got the worst look from me and I had a go at him for sure. He can be glad I didn't write down his name and wrote a complain about him...
WILCO737 (MD11F)
If it ain't Boeing (or McDonnell Douglas), I am not going.
Elite From United States, joined Jun 2006, 1306 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9566 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT
Firstly - welcome to Airliners.net!!
It seemed like a light joke, but on a plane even the mention of the word "bomb" or "hijack" could have serious consequences... people get kicked off for that reason. So I think it is right for you to notify United.
BAKJEt From United States, joined Nov 2007, 490 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9539 times:
Quoting Hestaman (Thread starter): I had to post this to see wether or not I am justified in being appalled about what happened on a flight I was on yesteday
I personally think that you were justified in being upset (apalled might be a little over reacting, but I wasn't there). I guess that he might of just been trying to be funny and lighten up the mood, but I agree with you that the flight attendant shouldn't have said that. I think your letter shows your anger, which I think is justified, in a perfectly civilized manner that gets your point across.
TK787 From United States, joined Jan 2006, 1584 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9500 times:
Quoting Hestaman (Thread starter): I did not get the flight attendant's name, but he was the only male flight attendant working the coach section and was of Asian decent.
Welcome to a.net, nice to have you here.
I agree with everything above and you did the right thing to write a letter to the airline. Personally I don't think you need the very last part; about his ethnicity, I am sure they can figure out who was the only male FA on board.
Richierich From United States, joined Nov 2000, 2871 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9479 times:
If United is worth their salt, they will probably investigate this incident and track down the FA in question. He is, of course, entitled to his side of the story and there is a good chance he might deny.
My guess is that he will be reprimanded (probably just 'spoken to' by his superiors) and you'll receive a letter saying that UA takes safety and security very seriously and that this situation has been dealt with appropriately.
WILCO737 From Germany, joined Jun 2004, 3878 posts, RR: 66 Reply 7, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9472 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Quoting Elite (Reply 4): Don't want to go off topic but - thats really serious... was it in a racist manner at all? Which country where you in?
I was arriving in the United States of America, on DUTY, in UNIFORM. I was so mad at him and I am sure he got my point being upset.... I haven't seen him since then, but if I do and he is just doing one small move and not behaving correctly: he will be in trouble!
WILCO737 (MD11F)
If it ain't Boeing (or McDonnell Douglas), I am not going.
GST From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2008, 182 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9445 times:
As has been stated, if a passenger said that they would get frogmarched out of the plane in handcuffs, without the benefit of an airstair. It is not professional for the attendant to say such a thing, and you are perfectly correct to tell the airline so that steps can be taken so that he, or any other attendant, does not do it again.
Gliding is to power flying as seduction is to rape.
Hestaman From United States, joined Jun 2008, 10 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9365 times:
Quoting TK787 (Reply 5): Personally I don't think you need the very last part; about his ethnicity, I am sure they can figure out who was the only male FA on board
You are probably right - the only reason I included that information was to help identifiy the FA in question as I did not get his name.
C010T3 From Brazil, joined Jul 2006, 1001 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9350 times:
Good joke!!! It would be wonderful if everyone could lighten up like the F/A in question. Just look how the US-government has driven everyone to complete neurosis in the name of protecting the country, when in reality, all it was trying to do is show the people that it hadn't lost control over the situation.
Luv2cattlecall From United States, joined Sep 2007, 778 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 9323 times:
Isn't that nearly exactly what made an air Marshal plant a bullet in that Bipolar man in FL awhile back?
I must confess that in 99% of situations, I would have laughed...and I wouldn't worry that there is an actual bomb there. However, the fact that it was from a member of the flight crew (who, for some reason, most pax still think don't have to clear security), is beyond unprofessional. That would be like a doctor telling a nervous parent who is afraid of giving their child a vaccine that the syringe is full of cyanaide...and telling the patient that she's been "Punk'd" after he injects it...
If you don't mind sharing...what age range was the FA in?
It's called an AArdvark and not a B6vark for a reason...
Scbriml From United Kingdom (England), joined Jul 2003, 8312 posts, RR: 24 Reply 14, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 9288 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Interesting.
Of course, if it had been a pax making that comment, they'd have been dragged off the plane by the boys in blue for a serious chat and an appointment with a judge.
EWRCabincrew From Canada, joined May 2006, 4853 posts, RR: 54 Reply 17, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 9189 times:
Along with others, a hearty welcome to this dysfunctional family!!
Now, to matters at hand.
It was unprofessional to say that, especially in that manner. There is a time and a place for everything. That was neither. Leave that for comedy clubs. People get freaked out as it is when it comes to travel, no need to add to it.
What he should have said was, it is my bag (or a crew members bag) and it is accounted for, I'll move it in a tic (or along those lines).
As for the getting (or not getting the name) of the crew member in question, UA knows who was working any given flight. All that is needed is the date of travel, the city pairs in question and a brief description of that person.
Xtoler From United States, joined Sep 2007, 815 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 8932 times:
Welcome aboard!
Yeah, that F/A is quite the idiot. First thing is, if it was his bag or another crew member's it should have been stowed before ya'll boarded. Number two, he shouldn't have been a smart aleck in the first place, and taken care of the bag straigh away. Then on top of saying there is a bomb on board. Man, what moron, and in his 40's too. His uniform didn't smell like pot smoke did it? He must have been smoking something.
I'm just wondering how long he's been with UA and what his employment record is like. I doubt the guy was having a bad day, and he's probably a bad F/A anyway. If I was his in-flight manager, I'd have to run his ass off the job after he got done with his pairing. There's one thing about joking around, but that's just plain (or plane) stupid.
EMB145 F/A, F/E, J41 F/A, F/E, because my wife clipped my wings, armchair captain
AirframeAS From United States, joined Feb 2004, 6741 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 8866 times:
Quoting Elite (Reply 4): Which country where you in?
See....
Quoting Hestaman (Thread starter): I was on United flight 1189 yesterday departing from Denver going to Spokane, Washington (GEG).
As for the thread.... Hestaman: If I were you, I would fire off an email to their customer service folks at UA and let them know exactly what you told us. They'll get to the bottom of it and they know exactly who worked that flight. Best of luck! AND.... Welcome to A.net!
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States, joined Jun 2008, 10 posts, 
From Germany, joined Jun 2004, 3878 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2008, 182 posts, 
From Brazil, joined Jul 2006, 1001 posts, .gif){kind=small}
From United Kingdom (England), joined Jul 2003, 8312 posts, 
From Canada, joined May 2006, 4853 posts, 