According to Yahoo News, China Eastern Airlines "apparently" fired a flight attendant after she accepted a mid-flight marriage proposal from her boyfriend. MU dismissed the flight attendants engagement and fired her on the ground of neglecting the passengers safety during flight.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/airline-reportedly-fired-flight-attendant-got-engaged-mid-flight-151034726.html

That’s what you get in a Communist state. Neglecting safety, my ass.

They probably docked her social scores too.

This is terrible. I remember back in the mid-2000s flying Continental and a nice rather pretty young Chinese lady was sitting next to us in the aisle seat. She was some form of aeronautical engineer on an exchange study program. Her boyfriend was the 737's copilot. He left the cabin and proposed midflight. She came back to our coach row wearing the HUGEST diamond rock that anyone had ever seen.

It was a cute, sweet moment. I fail to see how this poor flight attendant did anything wrong. She didn't plan the "disruption," if you can even call it that, her then-boyfriend did. I just can't understand the corporate mentality sometimes.

flyingclrs727 wrote:

They probably docked her social scores too.

She didn't put the people first.
He will be docked too for creating an unsafe condition...

LoL. This is so sad I have to feel sorry for her. Her fiance' must feel horrible.

You get the system you deserve.

Lightsaber

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

Neglecting safety? By that logic, the autopilot should never be switched on. Hand flying all the way in order to personally take care of the safety of passengers!

As others have said - this is how a police state operates. It's very sad for the Flight Attendants, and for the thousands of others whose stories we never hear.

rj777 wrote:

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

I thought Twitter was banned in China? Unfortunately, much of their domestic customer base will probably never know about this.

ual763 wrote:

rj777 wrote:

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

I thought Twitter was banned in China? Unfortunately, much of their domestic customer base will probably never know about this.

Probably referring to Weibo. Which is essentially their version of Twitter.

And something like this will be perfectly allowed to explode as nothing is aimed at disturbing the stability of the government. So China Southern is going to be getting a lot of social flak over this.

rj777 wrote:

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

Their page has a total of one tweet. I don't think they're going to notice unfortunately.

Really unfortunate. For comparison, I believe a similar proposal occurred on an AS flight a while back and the airline has a video on its website.

KLDC10 wrote:

Neglecting safety? By that logic, the autopilot should never be switched on. Hand flying all the way in order to personally take care of the safety of passengers!

As others have said - this is how a police state operates. It's very sad for the Flight Attendants, and for the thousands of others whose stories we never hear.

Remember two NW pilots who got absorbed by discussion about scheduling so that they forgot to land at proper airport? I believe they got fired as well. Autopilot can be trusted only that much after all.
Now some FA distraction in cruise probably doesn't warrant similar actions - they often happily chat in galley anyway..

To be technically pernickety, she didn't neglect anyone, she was busy with one of her passengers. He could be asking a complex question about something, he could be sick, he could need assistance with something else, that's why there's a team of FAs working together. Anyway, I've seen worse, I remember a girl who got sacked because she was seen riding a motorcycle wearing her uniform- she was on her way to the airport, I remember another case of a fine professional being sacked because the new CEO thought she wasn't pretty enough, another got the boot because he looked tired after a long flight and some big wig saw him dragging his feet in the airport, I could fill a page with similar cases, FAs sometimes are an easy target.

Getting fired from a state owned enterprise? I bet she'll take a hit to her social credit score then.

kalvado wrote:

KLDC10 wrote:

Neglecting safety? By that logic, the autopilot should never be switched on. Hand flying all the way in order to personally take care of the safety of passengers!

As others have said - this is how a police state operates. It's very sad for the Flight Attendants, and for the thousands of others whose stories we never hear.

Remember two NW pilots who got absorbed by discussion about scheduling so that they forgot to land at proper airport? I believe they got fired as well. Autopilot can be trusted only that much after all.
Now some FA distraction in cruise probably doesn't warrant similar actions - they often happily chat in galley anyway..

Yeah, they were on their laptops. Flight 188 if I recall correctly. That's a more serious example, but my point here is the implication that absolutely constant attention is demanded from every member of the crew at all times during the flight, which is blatantly presposterous.

If my boyfriend proposed to me on a plane, I’d fire him...

shamrock321 wrote:

If my boyfriend proposed to me on a plane, I’d fire him...

He should dump you fast then. You must be fun.

shamrock321 wrote:

If my boyfriend proposed to me on a plane, I’d fire him...

This. A public place like this is not a place for a proposal.

zrs70 wrote:

shamrock321 wrote:

If my boyfriend proposed to me on a plane, I’d fire him...

This. A public place like this is not a place for a proposal.

You sound joyless when you say this.

zrs70 wrote:

shamrock321 wrote:

If my boyfriend proposed to me on a plane, I’d fire him...

This. A public place like this is not a place for a proposal.

You must be really fun at parties...

I actually proposed to my (now ex) on a plane several years back. The entire plane and staff loved it, gave us a bottle of wine and wanted to pose for pictures with us after the flight. The captain even commented on the PA that in his 25 years of flying that he had never had it happen.

ual763 wrote:

That’s what you get in a Communist state. Neglecting safety, my ass.

Got to love a great uneducated comment

itisi wrote:

ual763 wrote:

That’s what you get in a Communist state. Neglecting safety, my ass.

Got to love a great uneducated comment

Exactly what was uneducated about it? Are trhey a communist state? Yes. Was she neglecting safety? No.

ual763 wrote:

rj777 wrote:

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

I thought Twitter was banned in China? Unfortunately, much of their domestic customer base will probably never know about this.

I was taking a look at what is banned in 2018 in China, and it is basically everything; the list is ever increasing: Google (inc. Gmail), Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, Reddit, Tumblr, Blogspot, HBO, The New York Times, Bloomberg, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Reuters... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Websites_ ... land_China

Countries like Saudi Arabia look like Sweden in comparison; other than porn websites you can surf pretty much everything there.

SCQ83 wrote:

ual763 wrote:

rj777 wrote:

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

I thought Twitter was banned in China? Unfortunately, much of their domestic customer base will probably never know about this.

I was taking a look at what is banned in 2018 in China, and it is basically everything; the list is ever increasing: Google (inc. Gmail), Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, Reddit, Tumblr, Blogspot, HBO, The New York Times, Bloomberg, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Reuters... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Websites_ ... land_China

Countries like Saudi Arabia look like Sweden in comparison; other than porn websites you can surf pretty much everything there.

Wow, I had no idea that even Google was banned there. Very interesting stuff. Kinda sad though when you put it into perspective like that.

ual763 wrote:

Wow, I had no idea that even Google was banned there. Very interesting stuff. Kinda sad though when you put it into perspective like that.

Yes, it is incredible. Basically a Western person cannot do anything in China when online (Yahoo is also blocked).

It reminds me of the United Arab Emirates where Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp are blocked to protect their telecom companies (the UAE has also among the most expensive Internet providers in the world).

And then you have to read how Shanghai or Dubai are the future.

SCQ83 wrote:

ual763 wrote:

rj777 wrote:

Apparently China Eastern's twitter page has exploded over this!

I thought Twitter was banned in China? Unfortunately, much of their domestic customer base will probably never know about this.

I was taking a look at what is banned in 2018 in China, and it is basically everything; the list is ever increasing: Google (inc. Gmail), Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, Reddit, Tumblr, Blogspot, HBO, The New York Times, Bloomberg, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Reuters... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Websites_ ... land_China

Countries like Saudi Arabia look like Sweden in comparison; other than porn websites you can surf pretty much everything there.

Few more posts on this topic and A.net will also be banned.

Flight Attendant are easy targets.

Stupid reason to get fired, but it's China. As for public proposals, I think they're dumb. I don't think a private moment between two people should be done in front of anyone.

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

While in the most extremely pedantic sense you are correct; "any business" that terminates employees as the primary response and tool to impart learning is purely draconian and ineffective. This is just an extension of a despotic state culture.

Should the Pope have been fired for marrying two FAs, and at the same time have have the FAs fired too

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-lati ... a-42736504

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

You are void of a human heart, not to mention common sense critical thinking. And that's the difference between being a human vs a robot. Hopefully you will learn this before your hard drive of a brain burns out.

Cactusjuba wrote:

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

You are void of a human heart, not to mention common sense critical thinking. And that's the difference between being a human vs a robot. Hopefully you will learn this before your hard drive of a brain burns out.

It is unfortunate that we are not able to meet on a common ground. I view life as holding people responsible for their actions; while you make excuses for them. Without a performance standard quality and production would never have allowed for the building of these engineering marvels we call airplanes.

There is a time a place for everything. The work environment is not the proper venue for trivial acts that 'feel good' but in reality quickly can be detrimental to all of the passengers. There are many moving parts to dispatch and fly an airplane, all need to be in harmony or there could be fatal consequences. Perhaps once you have more experience in life you will be able to make that distinction instead of making excuses for not conforming to safety standards.

727200 wrote:

Cactusjuba wrote:

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

You are void of a human heart, not to mention common sense critical thinking. And that's the difference between being a human vs a robot. Hopefully you will learn this before your hard drive of a brain burns out.

It is unfortunate that we are not able to meet on a common ground. I view life as holding people responsible for their actions; while you make excuses for them. Without a performance standard quality and production would never have allowed for the building of these engineering marvels we call airplanes.

There is a time a place for everything. The work environment is not the proper venue for trivial acts that 'feel good' but in reality quickly can be detrimental to all of the passengers. There are many moving parts to dispatch and fly an airplane, all need to be in harmony or there could be fatal consequences. Perhaps once you have more experience in life you will be able to make that distinction instead of making excuses for not conforming to safety standards.

You sound cuddly.

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

When was the last time you visited a non-work related website on your work computer? Or perhaps googled for the weather forecast? Because looking at the weather forecast is personal business, it's a distraction from your duties, and it's also a dereliction of your responsibilities to your employer. Not to mention you're stealing valuable bandwidth and electricity from your job.

727200 wrote:

It is unfortunate that we are not able to meet on a common ground. I view life as holding people responsible for their actions; while you make excuses for them. Without a performance standard quality and production would never have allowed for the building of these engineering marvels we call airplanes.

There is a time a place for everything.

I am absolutely in favor of holding people responsible for their actions. But the punishment needs to match the crime. How dare she get proposed to by the love of her life. Terminate her!

727200 wrote:

The work environment is not the proper venue for trivial acts that 'feel good' but in reality quickly can be detrimental to all of the passengers. There are many moving parts to dispatch and fly an airplane, all need to be in harmony or there could be fatal consequences

Please go on, give me examples of the fatal outcomes, or how this could have been detrimental to the passengers. Be specific. Was she violating any safety standards? If so please be specific.

Oh yes, the world is black and white. Those potential lives lost because she wasnt doing normal activities like: serving drinks/food, feeding herself, using the bathroom, chit chatting with non boyfriend passengers and crew, making coffee.

727200 wrote:

There are many moving parts to dispatch and fly an airplane, all need to be in harmony or there could be fatal consequences. Perhaps once you have more experience in life you will be able to make that distinction instead of making excuses for not conforming to safety standards.

Thanks for the lesson. I'll try to recall it when I'm next acting in command as the final authority.

You are the epitome of a manager viewing employees or a businesses viewing a customer as nothing but a number. No human side. Just policy, margins, etc. Good at following rules, but the wrong person at making or interpreting them. Remember, rules were made for people, not the other way around. Now go do something rote, and don't work with people.

ual763 wrote:

itisi wrote:

ual763 wrote:

That’s what you get in a Communist state. Neglecting safety, my ass.

Got to love a great uneducated comment

Exactly what was uneducated about it? Are trhey a communist state? Yes. Was she neglecting safety? No.

I too find it a very uneducated comment. I find it very "McCarthyan", a very much 'straight-out-of-1950s-little-America' comment.
I agree that China may not be a democratic country, but blaming 'the reds' is frankly an out of time comment.
And honestly -truth be told- the US, however democratic a country it may be, is not too far behind in keeping records of their people's actions and policing them.

Is China Eastern one of those Chinese airlines that require their stewardesses to be single? A fair few do. If you get engaged, you leave the aircrew rosters.

ChrisKen wrote:

Is China Eastern one of those Chinese airlines that require their stewardesses to be single? A fair few do. If you get engaged, you leave the aircrew rosters.

But what a bullshit logic is that? Are FAs (=usually women) still regarding as playtoys for the rich businessmen upfront? Are we living in 1950? I guess that's not China Easterns logic and standard, but they messed up big time on this one.

oldannyboy wrote:

ual763 wrote:

itisi wrote:

Got to love a great uneducated comment

Exactly what was uneducated about it? Are trhey a communist state? Yes. Was she neglecting safety? No.

I too find it a very uneducated comment. I find it very "McCarthyan", a very much 'straight-out-of-1950s-little-America' comment.
I agree that China may not be a democratic country, but blaming 'the reds' is frankly an out of time comment.
And honestly -truth be told- the US, however democratic a country it may be, is not too far behind in keeping records of their people's actions and policing them.

What's your point? China has not changed this the times of the "communist scare". Sure they opened up their economy. People can travel. But personal freedom ends at the point where you ask to have a say in the system, too. Or when you want to change the system. Or just, god forbid, to critizise the goverment.

It's a bad dictatorship that acts as a country with a hardline military doctrine that's aimed for expansion under the threat to use military power if other countries oppose their expansion into international waters, airspace and foreign territories.

So while "ual763's" comment was a little bit blunt, he's overall right. That is something you get in such countries.

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

She's not even the one who initiated the proposal though. Her then boyfriend did. She did not choose to be proposed to in the middle of being on duty. Typically most women are not going to turn down a proposal because they are too busy working. How dare the love of her life propose to her!!! Get off of your high horse.

CARST wrote:

But what a bullshit logic is that? Are FAs (=usually women) still regarding as playtoys for the rich businessmen upfront? Are we living in 1950? I guess that's not China Easterns logic and standard, but they messed up big time on this one.

Bullseye. Hit.

She failed to maintain the illusion of being available, which is exactly the 'standard' Chinese carriers wish to uphold.

CARST wrote:

But what a bullshit logic is that? Are FAs (=usually women) still regarding as playtoys for the rich businessmen upfront? Are we living in 1950? I guess that's not China Easterns logic and standard, but they messed up big time on this one.

Keep your knickers on, I simply asked the question as no one else had touched on it and it would seem quite pertinent to the thread's content. Several Chinese carriers have this requirement (plus a few more throughout the globe).
I made no judgement about the practice but I also wasn't the one that signed the contract with it in (if China Eastern have it).

ChrisKen wrote:

CARST wrote:

But what a bullshit logic is that? Are FAs (=usually women) still regarding as playtoys for the rich businessmen upfront? Are we living in 1950? I guess that's not China Easterns logic and standard, but they messed up big time on this one.

Keep your knickers on, I simply asked the question as no one else had touched on it and it would seem quite pertinent to the thread's content. Several Chinese carriers have this requirement (plus a few more throughout the globe).
I made no judgement about the practice but I also wasn't the one that signed the contract with it in (if China Eastern have it).

I'm not judging you at all. I'm judging companies with such practices.

I proposed to my now wife in the cockpit of an A330 in flight after speaking to the crew (I fly for the same airline). By these standards their license would've been chopped up then, jesus.

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

So by your logic, whenever FAs are chatting with each other on non-business issues (as they do on virtually every flight) they should also be terminated?

Some people make a habit of playing too much with their computers and cell phones and use them in a way that proves to be negative and harmful. If that yellow label "MU 2329" had not been there , the airline would have had no clue. Basically I think it is the hug from a passenger they disapproved of. They don't want that kind of publicity in that country. It speaks volumes.....Now it remains to be seen whether their Union is able to defend her.

727200 wrote:

Its unfortunate, but when this took place it was a 'distraction from her duties' as it would be in any business. In this particular case, she is "...there for your safety." Obviously tending to personal business on board a plane while on duty and being paid, is dereliction of her responsibility to the customers and the safety of the flight.

There is personal time and professional time. Sorry, hopefully she will learn from this.

Dereliction of duty??? Damn dude you’re wound up too tight. You better not have anyone working under you.

Very unfair, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles in China. Let’s hope China becomes a more easygoing place someday because there are a lot of good Chinese people who deserve to live in a more tolerant society. Some have come to that realization themselves and chose to migrate elsewhere.

Why is the word fired in quotes in the title? It makes it sound like the flight attendant wasn't fired.