Passenger’s Sexist Note Left on WestJet Flight Stirs Pilot’s Heated Response
Mar 4, 2014, 8:50 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
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Posts: 2,916
Sorry, but I think this is a wind up intended to get attention, and boy has it worked. Probably having a few good laughs at the reaction too.
Mar 4, 2014, 9:46 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: Shamelessly Gold at Flying Burrito and AirTrain A+ Elite. Turkish Star Gold, 100k at Flying Eskimo
Posts: 739
So, what are the statistics for female involvement in the latest North American airliner crashes?
Can we do any hypothesis testing knowing that about 6% of the flightdeck workforce are females (per the article)? (i.e can we get some p-values)
Can we do any hypothesis testing knowing that about 6% of the flightdeck workforce are females (per the article)? (i.e can we get some p-values)
Mar 4, 2014, 11:23 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
I don't know if you are serious or tonge-in-cheek, and obviously you are trying to devise ways to punish the passenger for his or her views and expression of same in a degrading and unpleasant way. However, such a diversion would cause distress to many completely innocent fellow passengers on that flight as well as the next leg to be flown by the equipment (assuming no overnight etc.). Further, such nonsensical overreactions in the name of security are a worse problem than any suspected threat of terrorism they seek to avoid. That one nutjob religious fundamentalist is no threat to the plane.
I realize Canada has their own laws and does not guarantee a right of free speech as we do in the U.S., but I would argue that punishing someone for expression views, even distasteful ones, is wrong. Better to point out the idiocy of the views. (That said, I do not extend this to the rights of businesses to discriminate).
I realize Canada has their own laws and does not guarantee a right of free speech as we do in the U.S., but I would argue that punishing someone for expression views, even distasteful ones, is wrong. Better to point out the idiocy of the views. (That said, I do not extend this to the rights of businesses to discriminate).
I do think it would be reasonable for a captain, upon discovering such a hateful and irrational writing, to consider the writer's potential for violence and weather he ought be ejected. Had the captain concluded that the writer posed a threat to the flight, I would certainly have no issue with a precautionary diversion. The problem is not the distastefulness of the words but that those words - and the leaving of the note on the aircraft for discovery rather than sending it into the airline or politely handing it to the pilot after the flight - may be symptomatic of real psychological problems.
As to your claim that Canada "does not guarantee a right of free speech," you are in error. See section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html
Last edited by Indelaware; Mar 5, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Mar 4, 2014, 11:45 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
While misogynist, the note is not of a threatening nature. It is rather "polite" in form, although obviously not in content. I do not see any reason to believe that the author is a danger to the operation of the aircraft any more than the average passenger, maybe even less.
I would believe that WestJet is not required to offer the benefits of WestJet Rewards to anyone in particular. Should the author of said note be known to WestJet, and should they be a member of WestJet Rewards, it could be a welcome gesture to send "David" a cheque for his WestJet dollars and close the relevant account for good. This would be a statement by the employee-controlled airline.
As a public carrier, WestJet can not and should not deny passage to any non-dangerous person based on their believes.
I would believe that WestJet is not required to offer the benefits of WestJet Rewards to anyone in particular. Should the author of said note be known to WestJet, and should they be a member of WestJet Rewards, it could be a welcome gesture to send "David" a cheque for his WestJet dollars and close the relevant account for good. This would be a statement by the employee-controlled airline.
As a public carrier, WestJet can not and should not deny passage to any non-dangerous person based on their believes.
Mar 5, 2014, 3:44 am
#35
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Who said anything about terrorism? The security risk arises from having aboard the flight someone who clearly has irrational thoughts and is perhaps mentally unbalanced. Such people, even if they do not mean to terrorize others, can certainly pose a danger to flight. One must, of course, be careful when evaluating potentially unbalanced individuals.
As to your claim that "does not guarantee a right of free speech," you are in error. See section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html
Mar 5, 2014, 6:37 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,262
Scenario: Flower vase that blond female pilot placed in cockpit tips over spilling liquid all over controls. Subsequent electrical short circuiting all over the place. Not enough? Co-pilot passes out due to fumes after female pilot uses nail polish remover (females do this everywhere). Filing nails produces a fine powder that can degrade control panel function. High heels may break off. These are all safety issues.
Mar 5, 2014, 6:57 am
#37
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Scenario: Flower vase that blond female pilot placed in cockpit tips over spilling liquid all over controls. Subsequent electrical short circuiting all over the place. Not enough? Co-pilot passes out due to fumes after female pilot uses nail polish remover (females do this everywhere). Filing nails produces a fine powder that can degrade control panel function. High heels may break off. These are all safety issues.
Mar 6, 2014, 1:54 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 80
Mar 8, 2014, 12:08 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
Mar 8, 2014, 10:05 pm
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,441
IIRC I've flown with Capt. Steacy to CUN in the past and I thought while different to hear a female voice in the end I care more about her abilities than gender. Sad some can't see past that barrier in this day & age.
Mar 11, 2014, 6:30 am
#43
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,638
Had this note been found prior to landing, I'd have been happy to have my ride delayed as the pilot diverted the flight to the nearest airfield in order to discharge "David" from the plane. One must always wonder about the risk to the flight when one has among its passengers a person who is clearly so hateful and out-of-touch with reality. Hopefully a suitable airport could have been found - e.g. one without other commercial service and a long was from nearest train or bus station.
Mar 11, 2014, 7:56 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: AA, HH, UA, Amtrak
Posts: 270
Scenario: Flower vase that blond female pilot placed in cockpit tips over spilling liquid all over controls. Subsequent electrical short circuiting all over the place. Not enough? Co-pilot passes out due to fumes after female pilot uses nail polish remover (females do this everywhere). Filing nails produces a fine powder that can degrade control panel function. High heels may break off. These are all safety issues.
How many female have you seen wearing heels while on duty? Don't just make up stuff unless you have actual facts. Of course, you could be just looking for attention by making posts like the original one as well as this one, in which case.. yes, you got your wish.
