Southwest Pilot Accidentally Broadcasts Misogynistic, Homophobic Rant
A Southwest Airlines pilot has been suspended after he accidentally broadcast his conversation about the "fags" and "grannies" that he works with as flight attendants...Because of a stuck headset microphone, this unnamed Southwest pilot, broadcast his thoughts about the "gays," "grannies," and "grandes" (which we can only imagine to mean overweight ladies) that comprise the crew of flight attendants he works with in Chicago... Instead of the conversation remaining private—he seems to be talking to a fellow pilot in the cockpit—the audio went out over the air traffic control frequency and every other plane in the Houston area...
The guy wasn't finished though. He goes on to complain that he never gets to go out with his co-workers, and the one time he did go out with two "chicks" from work, neither of them wanted to sleep with him. The audacity! He then shares his thoughts on how ugly the women who work in Houston are...
The pilots of other planes in the area quickly made it known that they weren't responsible for the broadcast. But the FAA was notified and they figured out who the culprit was, and Southwest announced that it had suspended the pilot after learning of the incident in March. He's since been allowed to return to his job, though, following some "diversity education," the airline said in a statement today.
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Then today Southwest released this:
We are committed and dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of ethics in the industry; in fact we’ve built our Company’s reputation on the Golden Rule: treating others as you would like to be treated, with concern, care and respect. The actions of this Pilot are, without question, inconsistent with the professional behavior and overall respect that we require from our Employees. The Pilot in question has been reprimanded, receiving a suspension without pay for a length of time. Prior to being reinstated, he underwent additional diversity education to reinforce the Company's expectations for all Employees to demonstrate respect for others. The pilot is remorseful and has formally apologized to both FAA Controllers and his base Leadership. Southwest’s Flight Operations Leadership has also sent an apology to Southwest Flight Attendants and his fellow Pilots.