United Airlines' CEO Scott Kirby revealed that just six of its 13,000-strong pilot group did not get the vaccine and were fired by the company. We've received your submission. Southwest Airlines has fired the captain who piloted the Boeing 737 jet that landed so hard at New York City's LaGuardia Airport in July that the airplane's nose gear collapsed, injuring more than a dozen people and jamming air traffic for hours. The backlash on social media has quickly spawned a trending #BoycottSouthwest hashtag and calls for the airline to fire the pilot. Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment. It goes back to October 2, when stock car driver Brandon Brown won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race. "Please fire this pilot who felt it was his duty to publicly. The Court ENJOINS Defendants from discriminating against Southwest flight attendants for their religious practices and beliefs, including but not limited to those expressed on social media and those concerning abortion, Starr wrote. In a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday, Kirby said about 200 employees were terminated because they failed to get the COVID-19 vaccine, six of which were pilots, reported Reuters. Have fun with that. In smaller letters was the acronym, FJB, or F- Joe Biden.. Over the last month, "Let's go, Brandon" has become a national chant to express opposition to President Joe Biden. In response to a tongue-in-cheek Twitter jab at competitor American Airlines, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association fired back at its own employer. For many though, the statement is not enough, and some are pushing for the outright dismissal of the pilot. That anger is not just one-sided, however, and people took issue with the pilot's message. If you've ever dreamed of a career at 35,000 feet, set your course for 225. His opinion. An AP reporter was aboard a Southwest flight when the pilot said, "Let's go Brandon," over the intercom. 5:32 PM on Oct 19, 2021 CDT. You can't answer this question without knowing the answers to the above questions. It then said that it would conduct an investigation and not comment on individual employees. Criticizing a political leader is not terrorism. Political expressions at work? https://t.co/SYEzsywKz9, Any pilot who thinks they can get on the planes public address system to spew a dog whistle to the racist Trumpers aboard must lose their job immediately. Former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa wrote that a pilot saying "Let's go Brandon" in mockery of a sitting president that is disrupting the airline industry was similar to pledging public allegiance to a known global terror organization. Here is what you would want to find out. The Southwest Team takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, safe, and respectful environment for the millions of Customers who fly with us each year. Social media users took to their keyboards Saturday to react to a newly surfaced video that purportedly shows a Southwest Airlines pilot concluding an announcement to passengers by saying "Let's go Brandon" over the plane's intercom system. (Putting an employee on a leave of absence while you conduct an investigation is not a punishment.). You can check out more reactions to the incident below. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, popularized in recent chart-topping songs. Kirby emphasized the reason behind the company's strict mandate was for the safety of employees and customers, saying "it saved lives.". This seemingly innocuous phrase comes from a time when an NBC reporter, interviewing Nascar driverBrandon Brown, misinterpreted the crowd's chant of "F*** Joe Biden" as "Let's go, Brandon!" ", The person saying the meme over the speaker isn't the unhinged one here. Context matters; pilots in cockpits have responsibility. Christina Pushaw, Press Secretary for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, simply commented that a "Former FBI special agent believes that the majority of Americans are actually terrorists, because they oppose Dear Leader Joe.". Kirby told CNN that only a "handful" of staff quit over the policy. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Don't plan on doing it ever again. Southwest will then be compelled to investigate or defend him. "Either way bad joke or asshole it cannot go unaddressed lest it opens up other pilots to harangue passengers.". Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Rep. Duncan may be right about the fury, but wrong if implying the anger only went in one direction. FAQ - New Privacy Policy. https://t.co/L7VlZWJ0SU. Welcome aboard. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. A TikTok video showed exactly what the pilot said. The investigation is vital and should happen before terminating or punishing any employee. Discover Destination 225 Our Heart starts with our People. Meanwhile, Kirby told CNN that only a "handful" of staff quit over the policy. The Daily Digest for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. An AP reporter was aboard a Southwest flight when the pilot said, "Let's go Brandon," over the intercom. The phrase has become a colloquial way of saying F Joe Biden among right-wing supporters. Since then, the phrase Lets Go, Brandon has functioned. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines won't fire or suspend employees who file for exemptions to comply with federal orders that all workers be vaccinated, even . But, the NBC reporter interviewing him heard something else entirely. A jury in federal district court in Dallas handed down the verdict Thursday. as Southwest Airlines continues . An NBC reporter, covering the winner of the race after his final lap, allegedly misunderstood the crowd's explicit chant of "F*ck Joe Biden" as "Let's go Brandon," and so a meme was born. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. "The news coverage of the 'Let's Go Brandon' chant being repeated by a Southwest Airlines pilot brings to mind other Trumpian things that are permeating regular life," author Sarah Posner wrote in a tweet. A Southwest Airlines employee helps a passenger to check in at a counter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Oct. 11, 2021 in Arlington, Va. (Alex Wong/Getty Images / Getty Images). The pilot was not fired by Southwest ( 4 ). If youre going to allow your pilots or staff to incorporate politics into flights, then Ill find another airline, one person tweeted. (The Center Square) - A federal judge has awarded a former Southwest Airlines flight attendant the maximum amount in damages allowed under federal law and issued an injunction against the airline and its union from discriminating against flight attendants because of their religious beliefs. Not mine. "Upon completion of our internal review of the Flight 345 accident, last week the captain was terminated and the first officer is being required to undergo additional training," Southwest spokeswoman Whitney . Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox. Southwest Airlines has issued a formal apology, and is opening an internal investigation, after one of its pilots finished off a flight on Friday by saying . We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. ", On Twitter, Long wrote: "[That feeling when] you're trying to go on vacation and then the pilot says the very thing you're working on over the loud speaker and you have to try to get him [sic] comment but then almost get removed from the plane. The pilot of a Southwest Airlines flight that landed nose first at LaGuardia Airport this summer, injuring 16 passengers, has been fired. But be careful on how you apply that. The Southwest Airlines Destination 225 Program trains and empowers future Southwest Pilots on how to fly The Southwest Way. Days later, the airlines CEO blamed President Biden and said he personally was against vaccine mandates.President Biden mandated federal contractors to get the COVID-19 jab.On Oct. 27, a federal judge rejected the pilot unions attempt to block the company from imposing a mandate. Whos with me? Southwest Airlines has said that they do not intend to fire employees who do not comply with the federal vaccine mandate. MAGA is not happy and crazed in my feed. The Dallas-based airline has not publicly identified the pilots. All rights reserved. The unidentified pilot signed off with the phrase Friday, on a flight from Houston to Albuquerque, according to the Associated Press. Southwest Airlines pilots perform a check in a 737 aircraft before a flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in Washington. Because for Kayyem, attacks against her statement that the pilot should be fired for having a laugh were nothing more than bigotry against her, as opposed to anger at her bias. "We're heading east at about seven or eight miles per hour. The pilot has come under fire from leftists who see this as akin to terrorism. It was unbelievable it was probably 300 yards from us, if that," Czech said. The airline said that it continues to cooperate the National Transportation Safety Board in its ongoing probe of the July 22 incident, which injured 16 people. Moreover, 80 pilots who received a medical or religious exemption were put on unpaid leave. DALLAS (AP) A former Southwest Airlines flight attendant who was fired after sparring with her union president over abortion and other issues won a $5.1 million jury verdict against the airline and the union. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee / AP Images). The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. One might reasonably expect to hear anti-Biden rhetoric at a GOP political rally, NASCAR race or baseball game but not over the loudspeaker on a commercial airline. The backlash on social media has quickly spawned a trending #BoycottSouthwest hashtag and calls for the airline to fire the pilot. In a post-race interview, chants of "F--- Joe Biden" could be heard from the crowd. Please fire this pilot who felt it was his duty to publicly announce his political affiliation to all passengers on board, said a Twitter user. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There was debris kind of rolling off to the sides.". Over the weekend, Colleen Long, a journalist working for the Associated Press, reported that a Southwest Airlines pilot said "Let's go, Brandon" during his routine flight announcements. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. @SouthwestAir @FAANews pic.twitter.com/2fbzJCsvdM, She further said that "every passenger on that flight has standing to file a complaint" with the FAA, and that "they should do so." But many are still calling for the pilots dismissal from the airline. He awarded the maximum amount under the law, he said, because if only front pay was awarded (the amount shed earn until she found a new job), the Court would complete Southwests unlawful scheme of firing dissenting employees. Haak was allegedly piloting Southwest Airlines Flight 6607 from Philadelphia to Orlando on Aug. 10. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart / Getty Images), In a statement to Fox News, Southwest Airlines said it "takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, and respectful environment for the millions of Customers who fly with the airline each year and behavior from any individual that is divisive or offensive will not be tolerated. The name of the pilot remains undisclosed. Southwest and TWU union officials made Ms. Carter pay an unconscionable price just because she decided to speak out against the political activities of union officials in accordance with her deeply held religious beliefs, Mix said. Now stop with the sexism and racism?". In 2017, Carter was fired for her religious belief opposing abortion and opposing TWUs political activity supporting it. Southwest Airlines has fired the captain who piloted the Boeing 737 jet that landed so hard at New York City's LaGuardia Airport in July that the airplane's nose gear collapsed, injuring more than . Notably, the courts injunction explicitly prohibits Southwest and TWU from discriminating against Carter for exercising her rights under the RLA. "I've always loved flying Southwest. An Associated Press reporter was on the plane, and news of the pilots comments quickly got out. ctually, the crowd was yelling F- you, Biden. Some on the right found Stavasts mischaracterization hilarious. Southwest released a statement: "Southwest Team takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, and respectful environment for the millions of Customers who fly with the airline each year, and behavior from any individual that is divisive or offensive is not condoned.". Shouldn't he be immediately fired? A Southwest Airlines plane takes off for flight. Court demands Southwest Airlines reinstate flight attendant fired over religious beliefs, By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor, FBI: 77-month wait for thousands of pages of emails from FBI director on Trump, Felon on home arrest used business to fraudulently apply for pandemic relief, Interest payments on national debt will exceed defense spending this decade, CBO says, McMorris Rodgers reintroduces bipartisan disabled minimum wage bill, Report: Biden's Education Department gives unions 'concierge-like service', Op-Ed: Sen. Braun, a budget hawk fighting for fiscal sanity. "As an experiment," Rangappa wrote, "I'd love for an @SouthwestAir pilot to say 'Long Live ISIS' before taking off. Since this reporting, the pilot has come under fire from leftists and Democrats who see his statement as somehow problematic. medical or religious exemption were put on unpaid leave. But the reporter interviewing Brown reported that the crowd was chanting "Let's go Brandon.". The reporter interviewing Brown claims the crowd is cheering Lets go, Brandon when they are very clearly saying, F***, Joe Biden, and the phrase was very quickly adopted by those against the current administration. The reaction on Twitter was predictable: Some people demanded that Southwest fire the pilot immediately, and some people praised Southwest and chimed in with "Let's go, Brandon" tweets of their own. Southwest does not tolerate any behavior that encourages divisiveness, as it does not reflect the Southwest Hospitality and inclusiveness for which we are known and strive to provide each day on every flight.. But proof I have a sense of humor (in victory), I think Karen Kayyem is pretty funny. Kayyem even suggested the pilot's remark "reflect[s] possibility of anger management or substance abuse." Why Southwest's Handling of the 'Let's Go, Brandon' Pilot Is Correct, an NBC reporter, interviewing Nascar driverBrandon Brown, investigating gives you time to make the right decision, Southwest has a reputation for fun announcements from flight crews. Read more about the dramatic hard-landing at NBCNewYork.com. Judge Brantley Starr, ruling for the U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, last week ordered Southwest to pay Carter back pay and other forms of relief that the jury awarded when she won her lawsuit in July. "Can I get 1,000 people to quickly comment #FIRED" so we can pressure @SouthwestAIR to FIRE the MAGA pilot who . Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. While the airline blamed the weather, many speculated the schedule snarl-up was in fact due to a wildcat strike by pilots resisting the impending COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Since then, the phrase Lets Go, Brandon has functioned as a wink-wink, nudge-nudge, safe-for-kids replacement of the vulgar expletive toward President Biden. According to the carrier, staff can return to work once the airline deems it "safe" to do so, or they can take on a non-customer-facing role. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy, http://thepostmillennial.com/southwest-pilot-lets-go-brandon, Media, activists call for Southwest pilot to be fired because he said 'Let's go Brandon' on plane, Suspect in rape, murder of 20-year-old autistic woman was illegal border crosser, alleged MS-13 gang member, released by Biden admin into the US despite arrest before killing, FBI director confirms Wuhan 'lab leak' theory for Covid-19, San Francisco homeless shelter worker charged with attempted murder after shooting outside facility, San Francisco reparations panel admits there was no 'formula' to justify plan to give $5M to each black resident, BREAKING: Lori Lightfoot is OUT as Chicago Mayor, Vallas and Johnson advance to runoff, BREAKING: Chicago mayoral election results may be delayed DAYS due to mail-in voting. However, in a statement released to NPR, the airlines said how they do not condone employees sharing their personal political opinions while on the job, and is handling the investigation accordingly. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. At the Senate hearing, Kirby said the company granted about 2,000 exemptions, with 80% of religious requests being approved. The company has a strict vaccine mandate, requiring staff to get the shot or be terminated, minus exemptions. and it's become a replacement phrase for the crude attack on President Biden. Southwest Airlines and the union representing its pilots say that crew members didn't call out of work sick to protest vaccine mandates and cripple the carrier's . We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Ten minor injuries 3472: August 27, 2016: Boeing 737-700 N766SW A federal law enforcement official confirmed the FBI and other federal agents were. Southwest was forced to cancel thousands of flights earlier this month. This, she said, would force Southwest to "investigate or defend him. Southwest Airlines has fired the captain who piloted the Boeing 737 jet that landed so hard at New York City's LaGuardia Airport in July that the airplane's nose gear collapsed, injuring more than a dozen people and jamming air traffic for hours. A company spokesperson said in September that the vaccine requirement has helped with recruiting, and prospective employees are applying to the company specifically because of the mandate. "Vulgarity stand-in from @SouthwestAir cockpit," wrote Washington Post editor Cathleen Decker, who linked to reporting from the AP. Overview. Will Bunch, an opinion columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, mocked Southwest in a tweet: YouTube personality Jim Heath claimed that Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly "has officially made @SouthwestAir the Trumpy airline. These folks killed police at our Capitol. Republican members of the U.S. Congress have been quick to jump on the Brandon bandwagon. The craft landed on its nose gear, which then collapsed. 'If @SouthwestAir doesn't do anything, every passenger on that flight has standing to file a complaint with the @FAANews and they should do so. He issued the final judgement months after The Center Square publicized emails made public in court that show a union representative expressing support for targeted assassinations of union critics, likening them to a cancerous tumor.. "FAA won't let me fly when mentally impaired, impairments including being sad or angry. "Upon completion of our internal review of the Flight 345 accident, last week the captain was terminated and the first officer is being required to undergo additional training," the airline said in a statement Wednesday. . The firings represent less than 1% of the company's 67,000-employee workforce, with most employees choosing to get the shot before the September 27 deadline. 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