Do you also think that someone who steals should have their hand lopped off at the wrist?

Sure, the OP made a mistake. Oops. So sorry. But the FA, who at that time was in a professional, customer service role in the travel industry, could have simply turned and walked away or asked that the OP change his tone. Calling the authorities, or adding a permanent mark to the passenger profile (if that even exists), or banning the OP is going overboard.

If the OP's account of the incident is true, then the punishment certainly does not fit the crime.

I totally believe in all of the rights our constitution has given us but it seems that we have lowered our standards to nearly rock bottom. Remember the old adage "Its not what you say,its how you say it"? Wasn't there a better way to express frustration? Maybe the FA's goal was to make him and others think about their behavior? Personally, I wish we would go back to the old days..I would happily pay more for not having over crowded planes, more room, FAs that were glad to see us because they didn't have to put up with angry abusive people (who may poop on the cart or whatever). Just because the use of profanity is everywhere, doesn't mean it has to be employed..this is another example of lowered standards, also look at the way people dress for travel! I remember when travel was fun, exciting and even a bit glamorous. I love travelling and I believe we all can make it a bit more pleasurable.

Regarding yesterday's incident: forget about it. It's over. Just let it go. Don't bring it up again unless someone else does first.

As to future inconveniences: don't bother seeking anything but a beverage from the flight crew. Save your grievances for a well-written letter of complaint to Customer Service. Include the damages you incurred, as well as the compensation you seek. Mo' bettah, that way, IME.

As for being told "...swearing in Virginia is a misdemeanor.": that's effen absurd; and as for you "trying to incite a riot"? Give me an effen break.

That's why you should try and let it go; it's way too ridiculous.

Best,

k.

Oh, and Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Many dress down for travel because they want to be as comfortable as possible when crammed in 8 abreast; I personally wear good sweats in the winter and light-weight pants in the summer. I have a friend who still gets all gussied up to get on a plane and my dress style offends her. I'm comfortable and, by her own admission, she is not. My personal comfort comes before whatever you think I look like when I'm on a plane.

You must have been reading a different thread. Here is the OP

I think you hit the nail on the head. Some people value tradition over common sense. To them, it's more important to look good than to feel good. Knowing Mrs. oneant's family, they fit that description. It's not reality that matters, but rather the reality they present to the outside world.

I also think that dressing however each person felt was most comfortable (within reason) might produce less irritable pax.
While we're hoping that the pax dress up more, the ticket prices increase, and the planes get roomier, why not add some DC-9s to the fleet. We'll really take it back to times gone by.

I agree with a lot of what has been said, both the above and comments from others. Using the F-Bomb (even if not directed at the FA) was a poor choice. However, things seem to be getting really bad for many US domestic travellers.

(1) Flights are very full
(2) Most flights arrive late
(3) It's rare I'm on a US domestic flight that operates as usual; flight delays, crew shortages, crew no-show's, ATC holds/ground stops, wx and mx issues, waiting on inbound equipment, you name it. The system is ready to burst.
(4) Tickets are more expensive. The cheapest tickets I've bought this year have been about $350-$400 for SDF to MCO/TPA, which I used to get for $158 without problem. Sure, the $158 fare exists, you just need to buy 2-3 months in advance to get it these days. I'm paying a lot more for my tickets, getting less, and facing more hassles.

Long haul international is a breeze these days compared to some domestic trips.

When stuck on an aircraft like the OP, I'm the one paying for the ticket. The FA is the one at work being paid. Being an FA, one needs to expect upset customers and they should be assisted to the best of your ability.

Things like weather are outside of the control of the airlines, but many of the ATC delays are "indirectly" the result of the airlines. Many carriers are flying too many planes at once (especially regional jets) & they are scheduling beyond what some airports or some portions of airspace can handle. I expect my evening flight to ORD or EWR to be delayed as a result. Flying out of LGA during rush-hour, I expect delays and am surprised when I depart on-time.

Airlines are running too trim - too few employees and in some cases pax having trouble getting help. Pick up one of those "rebooking" phones at a "rebooking station" or call a carrier for assistance and in some cases you'll get an individual in India who is clueless.

Bottom line is many of todays problems today are "indirectly" the fault of the carriers.

Airline employees have had cuts, they're staffed at the min, and sadly, I'd bet many are frustrated too. However, it seems too many airline employees are calling the police instead of providing customer service these days.

To the OP: Don't swear and never question an FA. If you're frustrated, take a deep breath, try to relax, and then make your inquiry. Or like many of us do, ride out the bumps in the road and if you need to make a complaint, finish your trip, give it 24 hours to clear your mind, and then if you find it necessary, complain by email, mail, telephone, etc.

Best of Luck!

Wow - I almost had to check again to make sure I was in the right place. Isn't this the Travel Security forum where we generally take a dim view of unwarranted LEO activity (and obnoxious airline personnel who provoke LEOs through misuse of "security" card to threaten customers)?

I am surprised at how few people sympathize with OP. It is not acceptable to keep a plane waiting for an hour after landing. Yes, I know it happens ALL THE TIME, but that does not mean it is acceptable. In all cases it is completely due to the airline's incompetence in not having enough gates. If weather or other problems create a snafu, they need to put protocols in place to move the other planes away from the gates and permit arriving planes to disembark. Or buy extra gates. Or set up a procedure whereby they can borrow gates from other carriers. So yes, the airline is always 100% at fault for creating the situation and the passenger was well within his rights to complain.

As for use of profanity, are we living in the 1950s or the 21st Century? These words are used every day on television, radio and the internet with impunity, and much more often in real life. While I agree that use of profanity is usually counterproductive, particularly when directed at someone who you want to assist you, it certainly is not criminal. I have yet to see an actual reference to the purported Virginia statute, but I doubt it would hold up to constitutional muster if challenged by the ACLU and others, who no doubt will be salivating when OP contacts them.

Summoning of LEOs in response to this situation is pure harassment caused by the airline personnel, who were never threatened with any type of harm. Not only is it an abuse to summon the LEOs but it is counterproductive as it distracts them from doing their real job. However, it sounds like the LEOs realized this and simply diffused the situation in a manner they deemed appropriate.

To the OP - you have my deepest sympathies, and I hope you pursue this matter, at least filing a complaint with the airline and perhaps contacting the ACLU. You do not have to muzzle yourself simply because the airlines front line customer service rep doesn't want to hear what you have to say.

I didn't suggest we had to go back to hats & gloves..what's wrong with business casual? I travel internationally about 5 times a year (and no company is picking up the tab) and I manage to dress comfortably without dressing down. As I said we have lowered our standards to just about rock bottom. Its like when I see a woman in a nice suit or silk dress and you look down and she's wearing running shoes. There is no way you can convince me that she could not find a pair of comfortable flats to get her where she is going.

The correct response for the OP is to take his business elsewhere in the future. I've quit flying airlines for less. Maybe in he has some pull with his company he can direct business to a different airline.

Unfortunately, I don't think the OP is going to get satisfaction by pursuing any other course of action.

And that, sadly, has become the American attitude. It is all about ME and what I want. The heck with everyone else or their opinion. If I want to dress like a slob, then tough..don't look. If I feel that I have been delayed too long, then the heck with you, I have a right to act as uncivilized as I wish, verbally abuse you, embarass you, and generally make you feel terrible because I have been inconvienced. Look how we have grown as a country. Our parents may have been old fashioned and worried about what others thought, but we could stand to learn about self pride and getting along with others from them. Maybe thats what we get for letting MTV raise our children. I'm glad the FA decided to turn it over to the LEOs instead of just standing there and taking more abuse from an angry elitist.

Ok, so to be clear, you think that people should dress up in public in order to avoid offending you? And that form is more important than function? That looks are better than results? Because yeah that makes sense.

So you think it's acceptable to sit on the tarmac for unknown amounts of time and pax should accept it with a smile?

If you think it's ok for a business to provide poor customer service regardless of how one acts, I want you for a customer. Because no matter what I do, you'll keep coming back for more.

Air travel isn't what it used to be. If I'm not getting the service I used to get, I'm sure as hell not dressing up in a suit to fly.

It's the "it's all about me attidude", just from an "I'm right and everyone else is wrong" perspective.

No...but you are helping prove my point. My post never said to dress up or that I was offended by your wardrobe...you pulled that out because you thought the post was all about YOU. But to help clear it even further for you, I merely think that people should have pride in themselves and conduct themselves as intelligent adults while in public. Clothes reflect the person...what type are you? Pajamas, torn clothes, filthy clothes, and shirts with obscene quotes on them worn in public show the world that the wearer has little respect for themselves, so they will have little for others. Cursing strangers for something they have no control over shows immaturity and ignorance on the behalf of the curser...do you do this? See...it wasn't all about YOU after all!