<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AS Flyer:
I couldn't help but to respond to this posting. I, too, read the letter, response and attached links to other letters. I couldn't help but wonder. I am an airline crew member and please let me provide my perspective. Those letters were borderline ridiculous. You know how they say there's always two sides to a story? Well, all but one of the stories appeared to be very one sided. Do you really believe that the mother with kids apologized over and over in a sweet, snow white kind of voice, begging for forgiveness and only to be allowed to stay on board? Do you really believe that? This woman had to be at the end of her rope already, having spent several days in Florida alone with the kids and mom at Disney World. I'm not saying that there aren't a few Flight Attendants out there that would over react and toss people off a plane just because. I can tell you that if I was working a flight where a situation played out as those folks would have you believe, I would rush to their defense. Even if it meant upsetting one of my fellow crew members. There's not excuse for behavior like that. I'm sure at least one pf the other passengers within earshot would do the same. I just have a hard time believing those stories exactly as they are told. I will say that carry on baggage (prior to 9/11) was a HUGE problem. I realize the extra time it takes to check a bag and then retrieve it on the other side, and I don't like to do it either. There is simply no way to accomodate two full size suitcases in the cabin for every passenger on board. Quite frankly, I'm embarassed when I have to have a passenger taken off - I feel like the bad guy and I don't like that feeling. It's not something we take lately. Just my persepective....... hope it provides a little insight.</font>
AS Flyer,
You are correct, it IS only one side of the story... But where is the other side? If someone (a few in this case) was saying things like this about me or my company, I would respond or at least have some follow-up where the customers (of my business) would know the real story.
When you give someone (in this case FA) the ultimate authority without any checks and balances, you will have things like this happening and it is not good. Just because you
think someone will be a problem, is not a good reason.
If the people would have even been given over to a supervisor (or other outside party) to talk with all involved, then it would not have been as bad as these where you get your bags and leave or you get arrested...
Do I have the answer? no... then again, I dont have that job... if the decision makers cannot come up with a working solution, then maybe its time to replace them and get someone who can.
I think the legal fallout when everything settles down from the attacks is going to hurt the airlines
George...