Posted on 02/13/2004 11:08:18 AM PST by sinkspur
FORT WORTH - The chief executive of American Airlines has apologized after a pilot suggested that non-Christian passengers on a recent flight discuss the faith with Christians.
Gerard Arpey said the airline has grounded the pilot with pay while executives investigate the incident.
Arpey said he apologized to anyone who was offended by the pilot's comments on a flight from Los Angeles to New York.
"Let me assure you that we take this very seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation," Arpey wrote in a letter to Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, an advocacy group that monitors anti-Semitism. He said American Airlines "promotes an environment of respect for the diversity of all persons, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, disability, gender, age or sexual orientation."
Foxman had written to Arpey that religious belief is a personal matter and the pilot had breached the privacy of passengers. He called the pilot's conduct "deeply troubling."
The airline said the Washington-based pilot asked passengers on the Feb. 7 flight to raise their hands if they were Christian. Speaking over the aircraft public-address system, he then suggested that other passengers use the flight time to talk to the Christians about their faith, an airline spokesman said.
An airline spokesman, Tim Wagner, said American was interviewing crew members and passengers who complained about the comments. The airline has also asked the pilots' union about the incident. Wagner declined to say whether American would disclose its final findings.
The pilot did not respond to an e-mail request for an interview.
I don't think the behavior of the pilot was usual and customary and his appreciation for the seriousness of his responsibilities when piloting the aircraft should be probed, especially since he spooked his own flight crew. Nonetheless Foxman and the ADL should not be engaged in this at all.
Damage ? What damage other than self-inflicted wounds do you see ? Foxman/ADL have a legitimate concern with the movie, Mel's public comments, and with Hutton Gibson's published views. They have no concern in this matter and should not become involved.
Good point. This guy's actions were something of a written invitation for the ADL to come in on their high horse.
There's no doubt that Mel's father is a bit... well, I can't think of a polite way to say it, so I won't. But as far as Mel standing by his father, what else could he do? I mean, I don't agree with my father on everything--in fact, on a number of points I sharply disagree with him--but he's always been an excellent father. That's all I care about; I don't expect him to be perfect, because no one is.
And in the case of Mel's father, maybe he does have some deeply serious personal problems, but if he was a generally good father to Mel (which it seems he was), are his ridiculous beliefs good grounds for Mel to disown him?
Just tryin' to keep you informed, CBG.
You can always just not respond if you're not interested.
Not unlike what Abe is/was doing to Mel Gibson.
Sink, you're part of the ADL, right?
Is he any more dangerous to society than one of those Catholic priests you read about?
He's damaging to American Airlines' business, which is why, I think, he'll be offered an early retirement.
No, thanks. I certainly am interested. While we may disagree on this, I'm glad you invite me over.
No.
It was way over the top.
And so is your assertion.
Too bad some other of society's institutions didn't have the same good sense, eh?
No. The cases are substantively different. This case has nothing whatsover to do with antisemitism. There was no attack against Jews. The Jewish people were not persecuted, raped, murdered, and exiled because some pilot suffered from irrational exuberance. He did frighten his flight crew for which he felt remorse or shame and apologized.
But I know Abe often feels there is antisemitism when Christians are singled out or gain particular attention in the public square.
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