Originally Posted by Buckethead

The following entry was posted by a crew member on the UAL flight in question. Yes, there are indeed two sides to any story but here is one side of it.

These are the FACTS!!!
I was a crew member on this flight. Some of your postings are quite amusing while some are not only neanderthal in thought but scarey in reality. FYI: United Airlines is backing the Purser (a female...NOT a male) 110% as are crew (flight attendants) and the other 2 pilots on the flight. The captain did not request but demanded the CREW DECS not the GEN DECS. The Purser had completed the Gen Decs immediately after take off and passed them to the cockpit when the "bunkie" came out for his break. In fact the "bunkie" had stated that this had been the longest 4 day trip of his career. An example of what he and fellow F/O had to deal with was, they could not call this captain by his name but had to address as "Sir" or "Captain." She asked if she could send them up to the cockpit with the first round of meals (they were being cooked at the time) as she was helping in another cabin and also it was one less time to open cockpit door. Figuring we still had over 10 hours of flight time left and crew decs. are only used by us after landing to go through customs and take approx. 30 seconds to fill out...providing you can read! The captain demanded them right then. She was gathering them up to give to them when he called again (less than 1 minute after the last exchange) and screamed he wanted them NOW!! She said she was getting them. She slide them under the door and timed that they were not picked up by anyone in the cockpit for 37 minutes. She then assisted with security for 2 cockpit bathroom breaks later in the flight w/o problem and no interaction or conversation with the captain. Then while on her break, 6 hours later she was notified that the plane was landing in Miami in 40 minutes and she was being removed. The Customs Agents that met the flight were stunned that the captain diverted because he didn't get his crew decs 30 minutes after take off. We (the crew) heard the lead agent directly ask the captain, "if he realized the seriousness of landing the aircraft for such an "inane reason" and "if he couldn't have possibly handled this situation with a better solution." The captain lost it and said the Purser was looking at jail time. Well, the captain made a GRAVE error. He has been relieved of his position at United Airlines. They will NEVER trust him with a multimillion dollar aircraft and passengers again....ever. His license has been suspended by the FAA, pending further investagation. While he might have temporairly relieved the Purser of her duties, he relieved himself permanetly of his career. The Purser has not only her position, but the support of United Airlines, fellow crew members (flight attendants & pilots alike) as well as industry wide flight attendants and pilots.To those of you pilots who think that teamwork approach is a waste of time and that you should be treated like "Kings," are not only over indulged with ego but out of touch and dangerous. To begin with, respect is earned...not a given, the days of thinking fellow crew members are below you are OVER...deal with it. You're a dime a dozen...you're no more special than John Doe on the street. This Purser was not a safety threat, no FARS were violated. She has flown for 30+ years with United and is known for a spotless reputation and top notch in her position. This was a case of a Captain who wasn't fit to fly. This was his first trip back from a 4 month leave for knee surgery. He had a pronounced limp. He was more of a threat to this flight than anyone. Makes one wonder if he might have been "under the influence" while flying...one thing is for sure ...he was not psychologically or physically stable.If you still have questions email me. but deal in fact...not rumor or wishful thinking.