Flying Bigots

[sp1814]

Do you think that the NAACP were right to warn non-white travellers that they may be subject to bigoted and discriminatory attention from American Airlines when travelling?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/25/naacp-warns-black-passengers-american-airlines

We all know about the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of being black, but is it now true of flying too?

[anotheoldgit]

At the moment we are only being told one sided, some passengers can be a pain regardless of colour.

[andy-hughes]

The piece does not conclusively prove that passengers were treated differently on the basis of their ethnicity - it is a matter of interpretation.

I would not be inclined to take notice of a pressure group with an axe to grind in this instance.

[ludwig]

I think they need to able to justify what they're saying. If they can, they're right to say it. If they can't the airline should think about suing them.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd agree with Luddy. Not going to advance colored folk much if it was all untrue.

[sp1814]

I have travelled to America a number of times and can confirm that a percentage of TSA staff are a complete pain - but the rule I use is “Do whatever they say, even if they are jumped up jerks in uniform”. However, I’ve heard some real horror stories from close friends which makes me believe that there is substance to these allegations.

Perhaps it’s difficult to distinguish jerks from bigots?

[Peter Pedant]

hi sp
sunny but cold today

yes I think they were on the facts - tele video is SOOOO useful if oyu have it. I tend to listen if an employee says - the CEO will only listen if you sue....

you will like Queen of the SOuth ( a bit of a narcocorrida I am afraid) where someone says 'you will be arrested for DWL'.
This is should be driving without a licence
and then he says. ' drving with a Latino'

[kinda funny]

[zebo]

We too have travelled to the USA a lot and have always found the TSA staff to be courteous, maybe we've been lucky! On the last trip when we pointed to our over excited grandchildren who we were taking to Disney he offered to 'deny admission' if it gets you off the hook M'am!
The NAACP is a very old organisation championing the rights of coloured people but they have become very aggressive in recent years.

[youngmafbog]

Hmm I am not sure from reading these two whther or not race was really the issue or they were simply obnoxious passengers who are now choosing to use the race card.

Having said that when I was flying to the US regularly I did see terrible attitudes from passengers to the black staff. This was in First and Business. Personally I have always found that if you ar polite and recognize good service then you will get it, which is what I did although I think that may have annoyed some passengers more as I got the attention they wanted but didnt get. Alarmingly I also say a black passenger treat a black steward with appalling attitude. I think it just may be the way the yanks are wired. Not nice to see.

As for TSA staff, I always adopt your methods SP. Jump - How high! It does seem to be worse if flying into NY on business (even worse on a H1B) then going to Florida on holiday.

[youngmafbog]

Oh, it wasnt AA I was flying it was another American Arline.

[cassa333]

They have sited four cases. How many cases of people of other colour or race (including white) does this happen to?

What is the % of people colour by colour or race by race that get booted off flights so that a comparison can be made?

[Khandro]

Some people, regardless of their ethnicity go through life with a chip on their shoulder, and will see discrimination whether it's there or not.
btw last time I flew to the states with AA I was plied with vodka and tonics and peanuts by a charming black air hostess and we had quite a few laughs en route.

[andy-hughes]

YMB - //Personally I have always found that if you ar polite and recognize good service then you will get it, which is what I did although I think that may have annoyed some passengers more as I got the attention they wanted but didnt get.//

This chimes perfectly with one of my major maxims in life - never upset someone whose co-operation you need, and that goes double if they don't need yours.

[sp1814]

Khandro

The problem with the ‘chip on your shoulder’ line is that it’s now used to shut down any form of complaint.

It’s arguably the equivalent of the word ‘racist’ used where racism doesn’t exist.

Used to shame those who don’t deserve it perhaps?

[douglas9401]

There's an excellent Anglo-Saxon retort readily available to deal with all that sort of nonsense though.

[fender62]

were they male drunk high aggressive using street language, know wat im sayin u dissin me mother fu..er, whats the full story

[naomi24]

I wonder how the people who aren't of ethnic minority cope with the problems they have during their travels. I know for a fact they aren't exempt. If there's a sniff of a fuss to be made, some people will make it.

[vetuste_ennemi]

//IThe problem with the ‘chip on your shoulder’ ...

it’s arguably the equivalent of the word ‘racist’ used where racism doesn’t exist.

Used to shame those who don’t deserve it perhaps?//

Having acknowledged a dishonest tactic then perhaps you should stop using it, SP.

[sp1814]

v_e

It's fine to use where it's justified.

What I hear from 'the Right' is the 'chip on their shoulder' line to stop black people from talking about racism, even where it exists.

And that's wrong, surely?

[vetuste_ennemi]

//It's fine to use where it's justified.//

And not when it's not. We're agreed about that, SP.