The pilot should be fired., In an email to Forbes, Southwest Airlines said it does not condone employees sharing their personal political opinions while on the job serving our customers, especially when comments are divisive and offensive., Southwest is conducting an internal investigation into the recently reported incident and will address the matter directly with any employee involved, according to the email. https://t.co/1r8fHooheF. 'FedEx Express Flight 1432 from Memphis, Tennessee to Austin, Texas safely landed after encountering an event just before landing at Austin Bergstrom International Airport this morning,' FedEx said in a statement, Austin Airport said it was 'aware of the Federal Aviation Administration's investigation into the discontinued landing of a flight. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. A Southwest pilot was recently charged with a federal crime for exposing himself in public while flying a plane from Philadelphia to Orlando, according to court documents. Truly evil folks in the liberal media were sent into a bloodlust Saturday when an Associated Press report targeted an unnamed Southwest airline pilot who said goodbye to his disembarking passengers by ending his sign-off with "Let's Go Brandon," the anti-Biden slogan sweeping the nation. The act is said to have occured in August 2020 on a flight from Philadelphia to Orlando.. The Southwest pilot should be #FIRED immediately. 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. Total failure to implement the IMSAFE checklist, clearly the guy is stressed out enough about somethingstolen election, vaccine mandate, Hillary Clinton," stated Kayyem with no proof of anything other than that it's likely the pilot doesn't like the president and was amused by a meme. The pilot of a Southwest Airlines flight that landed nose first at LaGuardia Airport this summer, injuring 16 passengers, has been fired. Southwest fires captain who made hard landing at LaGuardia Airport By Kristina Sgueglia and Mike M. Ahlers, CNN Updated 3rd October 2013 FacebookTwitterEmail New passenger video shows what it. Share this story! Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. Who is India's National Security Advisor and why did Putin decide to meet him one on one? Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. Southwest's decision came as the airline completed an internal investigation of the circumstances that caused Flight 345 from Nashville to nose dive on the tarmac July 22. The aircrafts speed was approximately 133 knots when it pitched down approximately 3 degrees at landing and then skidded to a stop within about 19 seconds, according to the NTSB. But we share the country w/ assholes in every line of work. In addition to the JetBlue and FedEx incidents, anther close call was averted at John F. Kennedy International Airport last monthafter an American Airlines plane crossed a runway while a Delta Airlines' Boeing 737 plane was preparing for takeoff on January 13. Southwest spokesperson Chris Mainz said that the airline does not tolerate behavior of this nature and will take prompt action if such conduct is substantiated.. He then proceeded to view pornographic material in the cockpit on a laptop. All rights reserved. Yesterday there was a story who used an open mike to denigrate the Bay area as he was departing. After the Aug. 10, 2020, flight from Philadelphia to Orlando reached cruising altitude, Michael Haak, 60, of Longwood, Florida, admitted to removing his clothes in the cockpit of the plane -- exposing himself to the female first officer. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. ", 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. Sophie Mann For Dailymail.Com, Despite being cleared for landing, the FedEx team was concerned about the apparent proximity of the Southwest jet on the runway, The FedEx pilots used their better judgement to avoid the near miss but the cause of the almost accident remains unclear, concerned about the presence of a Southwest jet on the runway below. Southwest Flight 3094 was originally scheduled to fly . Read RT Privacy policy to find out more. Pilot Michael Haak is . His opinion. REUTERS. Federal authorities have charged a former Southwest Airlines pilot with indecent exposure for an incident they say occurred during a flight last August. US state proposes $360k per person in slavery reparations, US ally resumes imports of Russian oil data, Biden praises Scholz for diversifying away from Russian energy, Beijing calls US worlds primary nuclear threat. The FedEx plane landed safely soon after. "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. But proof I have a sense of humor (in victory), I think Karen Kayyem is pretty funny. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images, FILE. Southwest Airlines via Facebook. Nonetheless, Southwest did investigate the matter and as a result, ceased paying Mr. Haak any benefits he was entitled to receive as a result of his separation from (the airline), Mainz said in a statement. \"Companies really have to send a message to all their employees that this is not acceptable. But the reporter interviewing Brown reported that the crowd was chanting "Let's go Brandon.". "There was just this fireball going down the runway. Be a jerk anywhere else. The Boeing 767 cargo airplane was several miles from the airport when it was cleared to land, according to the FAA but just before it was about to touch down an air traffic controller also gave the go-ahead for the Southwest Boeing 737 to take off on the exact same stretch of tarmac. Air traffic controllers noticed a Boeing 777 had crossed from an adjacent taxiway. Some people are calling for the pilot to be fired as a result or for there to be an investigation. This is not the kind of aberrant behavior that anyone should accept, the prosecutor added. On Friday morning, an Associated Press reporter heard a Southwest Airlines pilot sign off a greeting to passengers over the plane's public address system with "Let's Go, Brandon." By. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan shared a photo of himselfin a Lets Go Brandon face mask to his Facebook feed claiming, The American people are furious. U.S. 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. I recall DeNiro saying Fuck Trump on National TV & 1/2 of earth cheered. As it gained steam, the meme has ceased to be a sneaky, under-the-radar way to throw an F-bomb at President Biden and has become a verbal middle finger that is not fooling anyone, hence the gasps from Southwest passengers. Criticizing a political leader is not terrorism. "They should in fact all be fired and lose their certificates," the prominent national security pundit wrote. 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. Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. 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. Southwest Airlines Co. pilots conduct a pre-flight check in the cockpit of an airplane on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport, Sept. 6, 2013. Autonomous Nonprofit Organization TV-Novosti, 20052023. One of Europes top right-wing extremists: Who is the neo-Nazi behind this weeks Ukrainian attack in Russias Bryansk Region? The airline also had its fair share of criticism from conservatives, for allegedly cowering to the left-wing mob.. So far the incidents have caused no injuries, but the close calls have drawn raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill and promptedthe acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration issued a memo in February guiding the industry toward a renewed focus on safety, according to the Washington Post. Some even called on the Federal Aviation Administration to get involved and check the pilots mental health. FAQ - New Privacy Policy. Southwest Airlines launched an investigation into the pilot who announced the anti-Joe Biden slogan 'let's go Brandon' after landing the jet. By "Kos" and "Daily Kos" are registered trademarks of Kos Media, LLC. The Boeing 737 then skidded and sparked before coming to rest in a nearby patch of grass. Steve Czech, who was on the runway waiting for his American Airlines flight to take off, told NBC New York that he saw the Southwest plane touch down. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Since then, the phrase Lets Go, Brandon has functioned. As the plane continued its flight, Haak further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit, as the first officer continued to perform her duties as an assigned aircrew member, federal prosecutors said in a statement. Lets go, Brandon.. Today in History. I never imagined it would turn into this in a thousand years, Haak said during the virtual hearing. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Daniel Hale blows the whistle on the US drone wars. Southwest Airlines issued a video statement online after temporarily suspending the pilot. 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. A Southwest Airlines plane takes off for flight. "Until and unless @SouthwestAir fires its #LetsGoBrandon pilot I will never fly on that airline," wrote actor/filmmaker Andy Ostroy. . Most recent Southwest will then be compelled to investigate or defend him. But flight delays and cancellations are still common. The captain of a FedEx cargo plane that had been cleared for landing last month at the Austin-Bergstrom Airport was concerned about the presence of a Southwest jet on the runway below. ", "Its pilots now giving the 'f*ck you Biden' or 'let's go Brandon' GOP line during the flight," Heath added. Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner thanked Southwest and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General for their assistance with the investigation. . A Southwest pilot recently signed off using the phrase, . Republican members of the U.S. Congress have been quick to jump on the Brandon bandwagon. Southwest does not condone Employees sharing their personal political opinions while on the job serving our Customers, and one Employees individual perspective should not be interpreted as the viewpoint of Southwest and its collective 54,000 Employees, the airline said in a statement on Sunday. Fox Business Flash top headlines for October 29. SouthWest Pilot should be fired. "The Southwest pilot who said, 'Let's go Brandon' over the intercom, should be fired. You may opt-out by. Another user, @n9249c, said they would "never set foot on another Southwest flight unless (this) person is fired." Facing immense backlash, Southwest Airlines issued a statement Sunday condemning . "Normally, unless something major is wrong, the flying pilot is going to maintain control. ", The ruling class will not be mocked https://t.co/Irngrj4vj3, Cristina Hoff Sommers noted that "Criticizing a political leader is not terrorism.". That anger is not just one-sided, however, and people took issue with the pilot's message. Context matters; pilots in cockpits have responsibility. Juliette Kayyem, a CNN National Security Analyst and former Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security under former President Barack Obama, wrote that: "Southwest pilot saying Let's go Brandon demonstrated the poorest of judgements best case and a MAGA death wish worst case and then the rest of the flight crew let him remain in the cabin operating a commercial aircraft," Kayyem wrote, as though the pilot's dislike of the sitting president precludes him from doing his job. A pilot for Southwest Airlines is currently under internal investigation for saying " Let's go, Brandon " over the plane's loudspeaker. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Michael Haak, 60, apologized before US Magistrate Judge J. Charlene Carter, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant fired in 2017 for expressing her abortion views in messages to the union president, will be reinstated by the airline per an order from the United States District Court.. Southwest Airlines flight attendant fired . A former Southwest Airlines pilot pleaded guilty on Friday to a federal charge of committing "a lewd, indecent, or obscene act" mid-flight while he was the pilot in command. FedEx said its flight 'safely landed after encountering an event,' but declined to further comment because of the ongoing investigations. His attorney Michael Salnick had said in a court filing that Haak accepts responsibility for his behavior and offers no excuses., But he argued that his client deserves a lenient sentence given his lifetime of hard work and kindness.. The FedEx plane climbed back into the skies away from the Southwest flight carrying 128 passengers, which continued its takeoff toward Cancn. This, she said, would force Southwest to "investigate or defend him. When the plane reached cruising altitude, Haak got out of the pilots seat and disrobed and began watching pornographic material on a laptop computer in the cockpit, prosecutors said. Southwest Airlines has launched an internal probe after one of its pilots signed off with a viral phrase used to insult President Joe Biden, but Twitter warriors are calling for harsh measures to prevent such heresy in the future. Its as big a deal as any Southwest customer wishes to make it. Earlier this month, Florida Rep. Bill Posey uttered the phrase on the House floor with a fist pump. IE 11 is not supported. Now stop with the sexism and racism? Southwest Airlines pilots perform a check in a 737 aircraft before a flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in Washington. The incident is one of a growing handful of recent close calls at airports that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. (Photo: Al Drago), On a Friday-morning flight from Houston to Albuquerque, a Southwest Airlines pilot signed off an in-cabin announcement with the anti-Joe Biden meme, Lets Go, Brandon!, On that flight happened to be Associated Press journalist Colleen Long, who included the incident inan article she wrote about the chant, noting that she heard audible gasps from passengers. Some noted that the same people now calling for the pilot to be fired spent the last four years tweeting nothing but F*** Trump.. Southwest has so far declined to comment. 06:57 GMT 03 Mar 2023. 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 "Let's go Brandon" over the. Glad @SouthwestAir is addressing. The controversy was caused by reports that a pilot ona Southwest flight from Houston, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday said, Lets Go Brandon though the loudspeaker a recent conservative meme that has become code for F**k Joe Biden. The judge said that requiring Southwest employees to be. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1. 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. (John Minchillo). Daily Kos moves in solidarity with the Black community. Thanks for contacting us. It was a stupid thing to say & deserves the scrutiny. My guess is that 1) the plane would be immediately grounded; 2) the pilot fired; and 3) a statement issued by the airline within a matter of hours. Union contracts change the terms of employment, and, in most cases, you can only terminate an employee per the union contract. The LAST thing I want when I'm flying is to know that the pilot of my plane only cares about half of their passengers because of their political views. Someone needs to calm down. Haak, who retired shortly after the incident, was charged in April with intentionally committing a lewd, indecent or obscene act in a public place. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham blasted the pilot, saying that he had a duty to comport himself in a much more responsible manner.. "As an experiment," Rangappa wrote, "I'd love for an @SouthwestAir pilot to say 'Long Live ISIS' before taking off. Don't plan on doing it ever again. He pleaded guilty to the charges. Former Southwest Airlines pilot Michael Haak was charged with exposing his genitals mid-flight. Chip Hancock, an Atlanta-based Southwest pilot and a union official, said his flights Monday were canceled but he was still required to show up at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.