Never Newark or Continental Again!
Jun 26, 2007, 3:42 pm
#91
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Of course, I understood this. The only thing that makes it inappropriate is cigarman's role as a semi-official passenger representative and confidant of Larry Kellner.
This position makes this kind of joke inappropriate. Instead, he should try to take his unique access and help Kellner and his team deal with the real, substantive issues that CO is facing with customer service at Newark.
This position makes this kind of joke inappropriate. Instead, he should try to take his unique access and help Kellner and his team deal with the real, substantive issues that CO is facing with customer service at Newark.
As for the fixing newark thing. I certainly did use my relationship to get the on the agenda in a breakout session at the next Do. Planned that a month ago. So there..
Last edited by cigarman; Jun 26, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Jun 26, 2007, 3:45 pm
#92
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So now you're implying that cigar can't have a sense of humor? So what if he made friends with the execs at CO. He isn't a representative (either unofficial, semi-official, or otherwise) of CO. He has absolutely no power to enact changes or solve problems on the behalf of CO airlines. As I understand it, CO Insider has that role. Cigarman is simply a member of this board that managed to develop a close working relationship with the airline that he flies very regularly. Everyone's so quick to jump on posters', very rabidly noting that they are inappropriate, liars, not telling the whole story, not entitled to compensation, etc. Now someone tries to lighten the mood a bit and you note it as inappropriate. Get a sense of humor
Jun 26, 2007, 3:51 pm
#93
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Regarding cigarman's influence, or lack thereof, we are all aware of the central role he played in having the exit-row policy enforced. This was only changed to include golds after a virtual online riot ensured here on FT.
I think cigarman ought to use his unique access in a manner that better reflects the needs of his fellow passengers.
Finally, regarding a sense of humor, there is really nothing funny at all about broken necks, regardless of the obscure reference. Also, regarding my own sense of humor, it's funny that you should bring it up, since I am a TV producer who works in comedy...
I think cigarman ought to use his unique access in a manner that better reflects the needs of his fellow passengers.
Finally, regarding a sense of humor, there is really nothing funny at all about broken necks, regardless of the obscure reference. Also, regarding my own sense of humor, it's funny that you should bring it up, since I am a TV producer who works in comedy...
As for "my unique access... I earned it. And I do use it to benefit all flyertalkers (even you). You have no idea how many people I have helped.
Last edited by cigarman; Jun 26, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Jun 26, 2007, 3:56 pm
#94
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Fair enough. We will just have to agree to disagree.
I believe that, while you may minimize cigarman's influence, he has been a key player in a number of decisions regarding customer service. I am very happy that Continental has such a person, which is unlike most (if not all) other carriers.
I am, however, a little troubled that cigarman often does not energetically enough represent all of Continental's customers. Instead, it appears that he is often inclined to represent himself and the small number of very elite flyers, sometimes at everyone else's expense.
Regarding cigarman's attempt at humor. He can do whatever he wants, but I think that, as Larry Kellner's confidant, he has a responsibility greater than to just himself. I think it actually reflects a little poorly on Kellner and Continental that the person they have selected as their confidant has a tendency to make mean spirited remarks and inappropriate jokes.
I believe that, while you may minimize cigarman's influence, he has been a key player in a number of decisions regarding customer service. I am very happy that Continental has such a person, which is unlike most (if not all) other carriers.
I am, however, a little troubled that cigarman often does not energetically enough represent all of Continental's customers. Instead, it appears that he is often inclined to represent himself and the small number of very elite flyers, sometimes at everyone else's expense.
Regarding cigarman's attempt at humor. He can do whatever he wants, but I think that, as Larry Kellner's confidant, he has a responsibility greater than to just himself. I think it actually reflects a little poorly on Kellner and Continental that the person they have selected as their confidant has a tendency to make mean spirited remarks and inappropriate jokes.
And as I stated above. You have no idea who I help and when. What to take a poll of how many flyertalkers I have helped verses you? Bet I win...
Last edited by cigarman; Jun 26, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Jun 26, 2007, 4:06 pm
#95
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Also, take this thread for example. I could care less the poster got kicked off the flight. He admitted he cursed at the Agent. However, I would be very concerned IF somehow he could prove the supervisor told him to go back to Canda. However... we can't. And there are plenty of attention hogs, crazy people etc on these boards. So it becomes a he said she said. Until the original poster gets beyond the he said she said stage, you have to give the employee the benefit of the doubt. Sort of innocent until proven guilty. Prove them guilty and I'll be the first one in line to cut their head off.
Last edited by cigarman; Jun 26, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Jun 26, 2007, 4:10 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,955
I'm not playing a race card. I don't even know how to do that. Racial profiling occurs when a person makes an assumption about another person's ethnic or cultural background, and then proceeds to insult, harm, or discriminate against that person based on this assumption. In my case, if you had observed Joe's paralanguage and listened to his statement, "Go back to Quebec," you would likely have thought as I did, "Does this guy think I'm Canadian just because I've just flown in from Quebec? And, is he treating me badly because he thinks I'm a foreigner?" It was a very odd comment made my Joe to my entire family. We have never experienced a comment like that before. Ever.
As we told Joe, we are American, not Canadian.
As we told Joe, we are American, not Canadian.
Well if you have ever lived in New England you wouldn't be making this statement as there have been some pretty rough words about French Canadians over the years...Go back to Quebec implies a slur at at French Canadian and natioanlism and racism are deeply intwined. Nit saying Joe made a racist comment but it could be infered that way.
Jun 26, 2007, 4:22 pm
#97
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Posts: 1
I'm surprised by the degree to which commenters here have jumped to defend an abusive airline employee--I would have guessed that our familiarity with this sort of power-abusive jerk would have given us a little sympathy for the OP (no matter how questionable the details of his story seem to be).
My girlfriend and I were once returning from a family vacation when, in the chaos of boarding, a FA tripped over my girlfriend's foot. Visibly embarassed, the FA huffed to the front of the plane, and the next thing I knew my girlfriend was being escorted off the plane acccompanied by the announcement, "Ma'am, we think you've had too much to drink." It was 11AM, and all that we had drunk was water to rehydrate us after all the sweating! In the end, pleas by her family, as well as a humiliating (but vindicating) breath test to the gate agent, convinced the pilot to let her back on the plane. The point is, though, that airline employees are human, too, and not just a few of them are jerks (just like a few of us are, I'm sure). When there is no check on the power of these people, sometimes even the totally innocent get caught powerless in some really unfair situations.
While the OP should not have made a rude remark to the employee, "..." is really only considered a curse word in the most puritanical circles. The employee, with not much to lose besides his pride, could have walked away from that situation with a slight admonishing remark or even a sarcastic smile. Instead, he chose to exercise the full extent of his power over the OP, and I think that's the issue. The OP doesn't garner much sympathy for his actions, but "Joe" was the one who really crossed the line.
My girlfriend and I were once returning from a family vacation when, in the chaos of boarding, a FA tripped over my girlfriend's foot. Visibly embarassed, the FA huffed to the front of the plane, and the next thing I knew my girlfriend was being escorted off the plane acccompanied by the announcement, "Ma'am, we think you've had too much to drink." It was 11AM, and all that we had drunk was water to rehydrate us after all the sweating! In the end, pleas by her family, as well as a humiliating (but vindicating) breath test to the gate agent, convinced the pilot to let her back on the plane. The point is, though, that airline employees are human, too, and not just a few of them are jerks (just like a few of us are, I'm sure). When there is no check on the power of these people, sometimes even the totally innocent get caught powerless in some really unfair situations.
While the OP should not have made a rude remark to the employee, "..." is really only considered a curse word in the most puritanical circles. The employee, with not much to lose besides his pride, could have walked away from that situation with a slight admonishing remark or even a sarcastic smile. Instead, he chose to exercise the full extent of his power over the OP, and I think that's the issue. The OP doesn't garner much sympathy for his actions, but "Joe" was the one who really crossed the line.
Jun 26, 2007, 4:40 pm
#99
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Dude, you need to chill. IT'S A JOKE... J-O-K-E. No different than Leno or Letterman with the sewage. Do they need to be sensitive too? Remember we were made in God's image... therefore he has a sense of humor. You might try getting one.
As for the fixing newark thing. I certainly did use my relationship to get the on the agenda in a breakout session at the next Do. Planned that a month ago. So there..
And by the way. I thought you swore off CO? Why do you still post here?
As for the fixing newark thing. I certainly did use my relationship to get the on the agenda in a breakout session at the next Do. Planned that a month ago. So there..
And by the way. I thought you swore off CO? Why do you still post here?
Second, no disrespect intended, but there is nothing even remotely funny about making a borderline threat about somebody's neck being broken. It's really nothing more than a mean-spirited and nasty remark.
Third, because of your special relationship with Larry Kellner and the CO senior management, you have an extra responsibility to be even-handed and respectful. That comment fulfilled neither of those obligations.
Actually it's not so much about you (sorry to burst the bubble) it's about how your behavior impacts on Kellner and Continental, what it says about them as a caring and sensitive company, in that they have you as their confidant.
I encourage you to take that responsibility seriously.
Regarding the DO, it is a wonderful opportunity and I applaud you indeed for playing a major role in putting it together. On the other hand, I would ask you to look out for all of your fellow passengers, to make sure that all of CO's customers are treated with civility and respect, not only the very core of the elite.
Finally, regarding my sense of humor. While it is not something I put on display on FT a lot, I am a TV producer who works in comedy and a seven-time Emmy Award winner in the field.
Have fun at the DO (I'm afraid I won't be able to attend because I will producing a show in Las Vegas that weekend)
Last edited by TWA Fan 1; Jun 26, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Jun 26, 2007, 4:48 pm
#100
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Smoke filled room, TPA and FLL/MIA :UAL 1K and 2MM,AA EX PLAT and 2MM,Lifetime Plat Starwood
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I'm surprised by the degree to which commenters here have jumped to defend an abusive airline employee--I would have guessed that our familiarity with this sort of power-abusive jerk would have given us a little sympathy for the OP (no matter how questionable the details of his story seem to be).
My girlfriend and I were once returning from a family vacation when, in the chaos of boarding, a FA tripped over my girlfriend's foot. Visibly embarassed, the FA huffed to the front of the plane, and the next thing I knew my girlfriend was being escorted off the plane acccompanied by the announcement, "Ma'am, we think you've had too much to drink." It was 11AM, and all that we had drunk was water to rehydrate us after all the sweating! In the end, pleas by her family, as well as a humiliating (but vindicating) breath test to the gate agent, convinced the pilot to let her back on the plane. The point is, though, that airline employees are human, too, and not just a few of them are jerks (just like a few of us are, I'm sure). When there is no check on the power of these people, sometimes even the totally innocent get caught powerless in some really unfair situations.
While the OP should not have made a rude remark to the employee, "..." is really only considered a curse word in the most puritanical circles. The employee, with not much to lose besides his pride, could have walked away from that situation with a slight admonishing remark or even a sarcastic smile. Instead, he chose to exercise the full extent of his power over the OP, and I think that's the issue. The OP doesn't garner much sympathy for his actions, but "Joe" was the one who really crossed the line.
My girlfriend and I were once returning from a family vacation when, in the chaos of boarding, a FA tripped over my girlfriend's foot. Visibly embarassed, the FA huffed to the front of the plane, and the next thing I knew my girlfriend was being escorted off the plane acccompanied by the announcement, "Ma'am, we think you've had too much to drink." It was 11AM, and all that we had drunk was water to rehydrate us after all the sweating! In the end, pleas by her family, as well as a humiliating (but vindicating) breath test to the gate agent, convinced the pilot to let her back on the plane. The point is, though, that airline employees are human, too, and not just a few of them are jerks (just like a few of us are, I'm sure). When there is no check on the power of these people, sometimes even the totally innocent get caught powerless in some really unfair situations.
While the OP should not have made a rude remark to the employee, "..." is really only considered a curse word in the most puritanical circles. The employee, with not much to lose besides his pride, could have walked away from that situation with a slight admonishing remark or even a sarcastic smile. Instead, he chose to exercise the full extent of his power over the OP, and I think that's the issue. The OP doesn't garner much sympathy for his actions, but "Joe" was the one who really crossed the line.
By the way. I thought teachers were poor. How does a teacher afford $2500 in upgrades? Or am I missing something?
Jun 26, 2007, 4:51 pm
#101
Join Date: May 2000
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It's not at all like Letterman or Leno. First, they are professional comedians. Telling jokes in their job.
Second, no disrespect intended, but there is nothing even remotely funny about making a borderline threat somebody's neck being broken. It's really nothing more than a mean-spirited and nasty remark.
Third, because of your special relationship with Larry Kellner and the CO senior management, you have an extra responsibility to be even-handed and respectful. That comment fulfilled neither of those obligations.
Actually it's not so much about you (sorry to burst the bubble) it's about how your behavior impacts on Kellner and Continental, what it says about them as a caring and sensitive company, in that they have you as their confidant.
I encourage you to take that responsibility seriously.
Regarding the DO, it is a wonderful opportunity and I applaud you indeed for playing a major role in putting it together. On the other hand, I would ask you to look out for all of your fellow passengers, to make sure that all of CO's customers are treated with civility and respect, not only the very core of the elite.
Finally, regarding my sense of humor. While it is not something I put on display on FT a lot, I am a TV producer who works in comedy and a seven-time Emmy Award winner in the field.
Have fun at the DO (I'm afraid I won't be able to attend because I will producing a show in Las Vegas that weekend)
Second, no disrespect intended, but there is nothing even remotely funny about making a borderline threat somebody's neck being broken. It's really nothing more than a mean-spirited and nasty remark.
Third, because of your special relationship with Larry Kellner and the CO senior management, you have an extra responsibility to be even-handed and respectful. That comment fulfilled neither of those obligations.
Actually it's not so much about you (sorry to burst the bubble) it's about how your behavior impacts on Kellner and Continental, what it says about them as a caring and sensitive company, in that they have you as their confidant.
I encourage you to take that responsibility seriously.
Regarding the DO, it is a wonderful opportunity and I applaud you indeed for playing a major role in putting it together. On the other hand, I would ask you to look out for all of your fellow passengers, to make sure that all of CO's customers are treated with civility and respect, not only the very core of the elite.
Finally, regarding my sense of humor. While it is not something I put on display on FT a lot, I am a TV producer who works in comedy and a seven-time Emmy Award winner in the field.
Have fun at the DO (I'm afraid I won't be able to attend because I will producing a show in Las Vegas that weekend)
Last edited by cigarman; Jun 26, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Jun 26, 2007, 4:57 pm
#103
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I just ask you to be as even-handed as possible. It's not so much about this incident (if you read my first reply to the OP, you will see I was the first to express skepticism about his story).
It's about your credibility with us, you fellow passengers and, ultimately, with Kellner and the gang.
I am elated we have you fighting for us. I just find that, at times, you are too quick to side with the company when the facts aren't necessarily as clearly in the company's favor.
In this case, for example. I agree with everything you say. On the other hand, I cannot come to the conclusion that the CO supervisor did the right thing by denying the OP the right to fly. He very well could have done the right thing, but I do not think that conclusion is warranted based on the facts presented (which are only those presented, of course, by the OP).
cigarman: By appearing more evenhanded you will vastly add to your credibility. It's really in your own best interest, if nothing else.
Jun 26, 2007, 5:03 pm
#104
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 14
Maybe some teachers are professors? Maybe some professors have been teaching for 25 years and make good money? Maybe I'm married to the CEO of a large firm? I think I posted to the wrong blog.
Jun 26, 2007, 5:07 pm
#105
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The ad hominem attacks just come with the turf.
I would ask COinsider, who is a Continental Airlines employee, to be of assistance. Unlike the others here (who are either customers like you or line employees, mostly flight attendants) he can truly be of assistance.
You may want to send him a private message.
While I will be the first to point out that Continental has some pretty glaring failings as an airline, he is the best part of Continental and he is very responsive and pro-active.
Good luck!