Boo Hoo. My Heart Goes Out.

[Svejk]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/02/tahera-ahmad-united-airlines-soda-can-discrimination

[Svejk]

Bob Birge was indulging in a bit of corporate damage limitation after thousands of Muslims said they were boycotting the Airline. Personally, I'd have thought that was a good result. (not to mention a selling point) I suppose, though in the US, litigation is a worry.
Hundreds of 'ordinary' people have gone on line and claimed it was company policy.

[sunny-dave]

I don't look or behave like a terrorist (at least I hope I don't), but I have to put up with endless buggeration - when booking, when at the airport and when flying. All in response to (let's not forget) muslim extremist/terrorist actions.

I hate it - but I want to fly - so I grit my teeth, smile sweetly and get on with it.

I think the crucial thing here is "Their Plane, Their Rules" - even if they are applied incorrectly - you don't get on your high horse and make a fuss at the time. You can't win. Ever.

If stuff goes wrong, you ask (quietly) to speak to a supervisor. If they can't/won't fix it you just suck it up, ask for your complaint to be noted and sit down quietly again.

Afterwards you complain like mad, via every channel you can access, but only once you are well clear of the plane and post-flight security.

I know nothing of the 'offended' woman here - but she needs a lesson in the realities of flying in 2015.

[Ellipsis]

Hundreds of 'ordinary' people have gone on line and claimed what was company policy ...

- To serve soft drinks opened?
- To serve alcoholic drinks unopened?
- To refuse to serve soft drinks unopened even if a customer asks for it?
- To claim it was against company policy to give passengers unopened soft drink cans because these could be used as weapons?

Most company policies are written down. If Birge was lying, it would be easy to prove it.

[Svejk]

It really doesn't matter if it was company policy or not. She was told it was before she started whinging, so that should have been enough for any person.

[Sqad]

Svejk

\\\\She was told it was before she started whinging, so that should have been enough for any person.\\

Quite......but that appeared to be company policy for her side of the aisle, as clearly it wasn't company policy for the other side.

A good post by sunny-dave, but how many people would react so coolly?.......I wouldn't.

perhaps if the stewardess had apologised on the spot for serving the man with an unopened can, it would have neutralised the situation.

[Bazile]

Hang on here - what am i missing - what is the difference between serving an unopened can as opposed to an opened can ?

[Mamyalynne]

I have to agree with the stance of Sunny Dave here too - the art of complaining is a quiet, slow, controlled voice. She was treated unfairly.

If she had done that maybe the matter would have been resolved there and then.

Would I then have gone on complaining after the flight - no.

Possibly a letter to the Customer Services Department pointing out the anomaly.

[Svejk]

Yes, sqad, but even if you believe her side of the story, which I tend not to. She 'kicked off' before the man received the unopened can.
Anyway, you'll doubtless be delighted to hear, the stewardess has been sacked so she won't be making that mistake again.

[sunny-dave]

As with many of these events, I would love to see an accurate and unedited video of what actually happened - people do have selective memories ...

[-Talbot-]

While on her flight to DC on Friday, she requested an unopened can of diet soda, but was told by a flight attendant that it was against policy to give passengers unopened cans because these could be used as weapons.


That's fine, she has no complaint


The flight attendant then gave the man next to her an unopened can of beer


That's not fine., it is discrimination.

[Sqad]

Svejk.......that is sad, I wouldn't have wanted it to end that way.

Bazille........your post......that has nothing to do with it.......if she wants an unopened can, then that is what she wants.

[Svejk]

Because, bazille, people use the ring-pulls as weapons.(razors)

[-Talbot-]

How near the truth this is, who knows, but the flight attendant would have to be very, very stupid to refuse one passenger and then let another have one.

[Mamyalynne]

I wonder, did the man across the aisle who use foul abusive language receive any recriminations from the Airline?


I am not at al happy the Stewardess has lost her position.

[Ellipsis]

> I don't look or behave like a terrorist (at least I hope I don't), but I have to put up with endless buggeration - when booking, when at the airport and when flying.

Yes, we all do - so there's no discrimination in that case.

[-Talbot-]

Hang on here - what am i missing - what is the difference between serving an unopened can as opposed to an opened can ?


Let me klonk you over the head with an opened can of beer, then let me repeat that with a unopened can of beer...you will know the difference then.

[stuey]

On a much lighter note: isn't she a bit of a weasel going on about a can of pop?

[sandyRoe]

Wasn't there a lady on a flight who kicked off about not getting nuts served in a silver salver who ended up in jail?

[Svejk]

Ironically, she moaned because the nuts were Unopened.

[Bazile]

sqad

//Bazille........your post......that has nothing to do with it.......if she wants an unopened can, then that is what she wants. //

I wasn't questioning her right to have an unopened can - i wanted to know what was the difference in serving an opened can as opposed to an unopened one - which i see Svejk has now answered