(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. A pilot for Southwest Airlines is currently under internal investigation for saying " Let's go, Brandon " over the plane's loudspeaker. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This decision vindicates Ms. Carters rights but its also a stark reminder of the retribution that union officials will mete out against employees who refuse to toe the union line., Mix also warned that her victory should prompt nationwide scrutiny of union bosses coercive, government-granted powers over workers, especially in the airline and rail industries. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted a photo of himself at the World Series, beaming from ear to ear beside a Houston Astros fan with Lets Go Brandon emblazoned in large letters across a poster. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The airline apologizes for this event an action that was not reflective of the Southwest hospitality for which we are known and strive to provide each day on every flight., This is a BETA experience. The airline has faced backlash on social media all weekend after an Associated Press journalist reported what she heard on a Friday flight from Houston to Albuquerque on Friday when the pilot used the phrase lets go Brandon over the public address system, saying that it brought on audible gasps from some passengers.. In a post-race interview, chants of "F--- Joe Biden" could be heard from the crowd. A spokeswoman for Southwest told the Associated Press the landing was not in accordance with operating procedures for the airline. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, Bryson Grays Anti-Biden Song Lets Go Brandon Knocks Adele Off the Top of iTunes Chart, Fox & Friends Guest Chants Lets Go Brandon to Revive Viral F Joe Biden Chant. Clear visibility, mostly clear skies, about 77 degrees," the pilot said. I write about travel trends and news you can use. Lets go, Brandon.. For all we know he was making fun of it," she added. Firing this pilot may not be an option as Southwest Airlines continues to struggle with staffing shortages, resulting in more consistently delayed flights. Op-ed: Why Medicaid expansion won't improve Mississippi health care, Op-Ed: Shawnee's 'co-living' ban is bad, unconstitutional policy, Bipartisan train safety legislation introduced in Congress, Advocacy groups clash over Colorado coach Deion Sanders' prayers. When NASCAR driver Brandon Brown won his first ever NASCAR Xfinity Series on October 2, fans began chanting F Joe Biden during his post-race interview. Rep. Duncan may be right about the fury, but wrong if implying the anger only went in one direction. 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. Based in Dallas, TX, Southwest Airlines LUV is a low-cost airline provider mainly servicing the United States and "ten near-international" markets. ", "On Friday morning on a Southwest flight from Houston to Albuquerque, the pilot signed off his greeting over the public address system with the phrase, to audible gasps from some passengers." 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 captain was fired and the aircraft was ultimately scrapped. Southwest under fire after video surfaces purportedly showing pilot saying 'Let's go Brandon' Several offended social media users vowed to stop flying Southwest unless action is taken By Kyle. Have fun with that," Kayyem reacted. Legal Statement. The company has a strict vaccine mandate, requiring staff to get the shot or be terminated, minus exemptions. Discover Destination 225 Our Heart starts with our People. Since then, Sen. Ted Cruz, and countless others, have taken up the chant. The pilot has come under fire from leftists who see this as akin to terrorism. A pilot for Southwest Airlines triggered one customer who happened to be an Associated Press reporter on Friday after saying "Let's go, Brandon" over the plane's intercom system. "United's actions have left Plaintiffs with the impossible choice of either taking the COVID-19 vaccine, at the expense of their religious beliefs and their health, or losing their livelihood," according to the lawsuit. 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. The pilots association for Southwest filed suit against the company over the mandate, one day before the airline had to cancel thousands of flights due to "weather" and "absenteeism. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The pilots association for Southwest filed suit against the company over the mandate, one day before the airline had to cancel thousands of flights due to "weather" and "absenteeism." "On Friday morning on a Southwest flight from Houston to Albuquerque, the pilot signed off his greeting over the public address system with the phrase, to audible gasps from some passengers." Remember that in some states, political views are protected. But proof I have a sense of humor (in victory), I think Karen Kayyem is pretty funny. @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." Starr ordered Southwest and TWU to pay prejudgment interest and sanctioned them for their attorneys failing to comply with a court order to make a witness available for a deposition. The pilot said something political! 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 . An AP reporter, Colleen Long, was aboard the Houston-Albuquerque flight and was almost removed from the plane after asking the crew to open the cockpit, so she could ask the pilot for comment, she tweeted. Glad @SouthwestAir is addressing. 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. ", The ruling class will not be mocked https://t.co/Irngrj4vj3, Cristina Hoff Sommers noted that "Criticizing a political leader is not terrorism.". The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. Southwest Airlines flight attendants will be able to have small tattoos, starting March 20. 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. Thanks for contacting us. The pilot was not fired by Southwest ( 4 ). Have fun with that. During an interview with NBC after the win, crowds can be heard loudly chanting in the background. Only that there should be investigation. 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 represented as a viewpoint for Southwest and its collective 54,000 Employees, the airline said in a statement to TheWrap. Unlike some of you, Im not saying he should fired. Its bad enough you beat the luggage to h*ll.. United was the first major US airline to implement an employee vaccination mandate, with six employees filing a lawsuit against the company. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report, Crews remove damaged jet after hard landing at LaGuardia. Long apparently isn't amused by the "Let's go Brandon" meme, which her short article tracked back to an Oct. 2 NASCAR event where it all began. 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. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file)AP. The AP reporter who heard the anti-Biden remark admitted she was almost removed from the plane when she tried to gain access the flight deck to ask the pilot about his remark. "There was just this fireball going down the runway. A TikTok video showed exactly what the pilot said. They will be fired right before Christmas if they don't submit to the medicine they don't want to take. The Southwest pilots union alleged that the airline violated the Railway Labor Act by changing work and pay rules without negotiating. United's policy was independent of the federal mandate issued by President Joe Biden that required federal contractors, including many US carriers, to be vaccinated without the option to test out. '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. This story has been shared 101,716 times. Southwest provides short-haul . How a flight attendant took the time to comfort a passenger who was having panic attacks. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. There was debris kind of rolling off to the sides.". Glad @SouthwestAir is addressing. IE 11 is not supported. 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. A TikTok user on the same flight captured the audio of the pilot ending his message with Thank you for flying Southwest Airlines. . 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. Be a jerk anywhere else. 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. In smaller letters was the acronym, FJB, or F- Joe Biden.. https://t.co/L7VlZWJ0SU. But many are still calling for the pilots dismissal from the airline. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox. Ex-Marine Faces Prison Time For Trying To Board Florida Flight With Cache Of Weapons, Ammunition, And Fake ID. Southwest and the TWU union were ordered to pay Carter more than $25,000 in fees and costs. NTSB investigators have said the captain abruptly took over from the first officer some 400 feet from the ground as the plane neared LaGuardia. 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.. Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. 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.". Since this reporting, the pilot has come under fire from leftists and Democrats who see his statement as somehow problematic. Sometimes you might want to react quickly. . MAGA is not happy and crazed in my feed. She did not provide evidence to back her claim. 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. 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. It then said that it would conduct an investigation and not comment on individual employees. "Thanks for coming out and flying Southwest Airlines, welcome aboard, and remember, 'Let's go, Brandon.'". ", "Unlike some of you, I'm not saying he should fired. 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. The pilot reportedly signed off from his typical greeting using the phrase on a flight from Houston, Texas to Albuquerque, NM. Context is everything. Overview. For all we know he was https://t.co/jkI4yQr242. Pilots at Southwest Airlines are facing a vaccine mandate. Despite the backlash, United has stood by its policy. It goes back to October 2, when stock car driver Brandon Brown won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Juliette Kayyem, a Harvard professor and CNN analyst, demanded that every passenger on the plane file a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration. A pilot for Southwest Airlines is currently under internal investigation . This, she said, would force Southwest to "investigate or defend him. You may opt-out by. ", The phrase "Let's go Brandon" went viral after an interview earlier this month with race car driver Brandon Brown following his victory in a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. In a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday . The . Sign up for notifications from Insider! A former US Marine was arrested at Newark Airport after trying to board a flight to Florida with a cache of weapons and a fake US Marshal badge. Not mine. The jury had awarded her a total of $5.3 million in damages but because federal law limits damages that companies are required to pay, her award was reduced to $810,180 in damages and $150,000 in back pay. (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. Over the last month, "Let's go, Brandon" has become a national chant to express opposition to President Joe Biden. He also ruled Carter may, under the RLA, object to paying part of the forced union dues used for political and other lawfully nonchargeable union expenses, pursuant to the NRWFs U.S. Supreme Court victory in Ellis v. Railway Clerks (1984). "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 underg, Report: Southwest plane landed nose-gear first, 'You can see the engine skidding across the ground'. Don't plan on doing it ever again. From a pilot. All rights reserved. She sued with free legal representation from the National Right to Work Foundation. Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Brandy King told the Dallas Morning News the company plans to appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. You can't answer this question without knowing the answers to the above questions. 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. medical or religious exemption were put on unpaid leave. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. Southwest may wanna get away from Carter because she might continue to express her beliefs, but the jury found that Southwest unlawfully terminated Carter for her protected expressions, he wrote. For those unfamiliar, the phenomenon of Lets go, Brandon all started during the NASCAR Sparks 300 after driver Brandon Brown landed his first Xfinity Series win. The name of the pilot remains undisclosed. Meanwhile, Kirby told CNN that only a "handful" of staff quit over the policy. 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. In 2017, Carter was fired for her religious belief opposing abortion and opposing TWUs political activity supporting it. The Boeing 737 then skidded and sparked before coming to rest in a nearby patch of grass. For many though, the statement is not enough, and some are pushing for the outright dismissal of the pilot. The investigation is vital and should happen before terminating or punishing any employee. Notably, the courts injunction explicitly prohibits Southwest and TWU from discriminating against Carter for exercising her rights under the RLA. Another wrote: This is the chant of the insurrectionists, the birthers & bigots. "Vulgarity stand-in from @SouthwestAir cockpit," wrote Washington Post editor Cathleen Decker, who linked to reporting from the AP. Most airlines now require employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine, but some pilots at American and Southwest are fighting the mandate, claiming potential career-ending vaccine side effects. 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