Originally Posted by
577nitro
Maybe its me, but those plastic bands look CHEEZY, and people generally wear them to make a political or life style statement. They are not jewelry in any sense of the word, I have bought my wife plenty to know the deference. When your a professional pilot you should look and act like one, she apparently did not. He probably told her, "if you want to make a statement do it on your own time." She likely lipped off, and he bounced her. When your on the deck your 100% professional, anything else should not be tolerated. Call me old school if you have too, but thats what I believe.
First, thanks to all your posts regarding the issue of free speech. I appreciate your comments. I actually think you guys are right in the sense that a private company can and should uphold their rules and regulations. Especially when the profession REQUIRES one to be an absolute professional. Pilots are responsible for the safety of so many lives as you guys fly us from one place to another. Sometimes, I can't believe you guys do what you do in such a calm manner; it'd be a wreck!
There are, I believe, certain things that take priority, like being a professional--a professional pilot, a professional doctor--when it requires it. In this case, the lady pilot wanted to stand up for her rights, which I admire. But I can see that when it comes to it, she also needed to act professional and maintain discipline. I guess what I am trying to say is, there are times for that and not in the "operating room" when it's less appropriate and your personal stand on an issue should not take priority over safety and the decorum of your profession. Do I think the CO did the wrong thing by kicking her out? I think he too should have maintained discipline and could have just talked to her AFTER the flight (e.g. the operation), where it was more appropriate. The task at hand was, in my humble opinion, to safely get those passengers from point A to B. Was what he did distasteful? In my opinion, yes, because in the grand scheme of things, is wearing that "silly" band that big of a deal that he had to kick her out of the plane? As a passenger and if I saw this happening on my flight, I would've questioned his professionalism. She on the other hand, although courageous, could have chosen a better way to get her views and opinions across--at least a more appropriate time.
577nitro's post that made me realize this as I was reading it...
Anyway, thanks to all of you for being professional and providing good feedback... I would have been kicked out in other forums.
