The recent wave of sexual harassment allegations is transforming the U.S. landscape and emboldening more every day to come forward with their stories. But such treatment, generally against women, persists…and some practices die hard. Like on Alaska Airlines…
I was so shocked when I read this story, but I shouldn’t be. I’ll explain why below.
Randi Zuckerberg, a Silicon Valley executive, said Wednesday evening that a male passenger on her Alaska Airlines flight had repeatedly sexually harassed her and that flight attendants had dismissed her complaints.
Zuckerberg was on a flight from Los Angeles to Mazatlán, Mexico.
Before the plane even departed the gate, a man seated next to her in first class asked her if she fantasized about a female colleague who was traveling with her, and then he provided vulgar commentary about the women who walked by him as they boarded.
I’ve included her full email to Alaska Airlines below, recounting the incident:
What happened when Zuckerberg reported the behavior?
Ms. Zuckerberg said that she and her colleague both reported the man’s behavior to the flight attendants, who, she added, shrugged off their complaints, saying that he was a frequent flier who was known to act that way.
Yes, her complaint was simply dismissed and the man was served more alcohol. At one point in the flight, the FA walked by the man and joked, “Are you behaving today?”
The FAs did offer something…to downgrade Zuckerberg and her colleague to economy class. That’s a great option…
Alaska Airlines in Panic Mode
After the story picked up steam, Alaska reacted quickly, suspending the “travel privileges” of the vulgar passenger. Alaska spokesman Ray Lane stated:
We want our guests to feel safe. As a company, we have zero tolerance for any type of sexual misconduct that creates an unsafe environment for our guests and crew members.
Doesn’t seem the like FAs received that memo…
Personal Thoughts
I worked on the Hill and in the White House…and witnessed no sexual harassment. I spent three years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and also witnessed nothing disturbing beyond locker room banter. Nothing in law law school, either. Or my other jobs. Perhaps I was just blind.
But I’ve flown over two million miles and I’ve certainly witnessed my fair share of sexual harassment there, always from male passengers. Inappropriate touching or gestures toward FAs. Check. Lewd remarks about passengers as they board, just like in the story above. Check. “Conquest” stories from an inebriated seatmate. Check.
It bums me out that I’ll likely never see Kevin Spacey again on screen or hear Garrison Keillor on the radio. They were two of my favorites and I also am against punishing people without a fair trial or adequate investigation.
But actions have consequences. What I’ve witnessed is something that goes on each and every day. And it is disgusting.
Alaska Airlines owes a huge apology to Ms. Zuckerberg. It is sad to think that had she been a passenger without such name recognition and public importance, the passenger likely would have continued have gone unpunished.
CONCLUSION
This is not an isolated issue. It a pervasive societal issue that indicates a deep moral problem and a disgusting lack of respect for others, all who are worthy of respect. We see the dominoes falling each day. I hope now that Alaska and all airlines will also take sexual abuse more seriously.
I have witnessed similar events and often feel bad for the FAs. FAs are often put in near impossible situations having to make difficult calls that impact airline financials and hundreds of customers. Do you divert the plane, costing the airline tens or hundred of thousands of dollars, cause missed connections, do you try to move the victim, the perp etc… I think airlines need clear policy that if this is witnessed by a FA, the perp is moved to another comparable seat next to a person of the same gender. If that is not possible (in a small first class options will be limited) the victim is moved next to a person of the same gender. If that is not possible, downgrade the perp. Diverting and calling law enforcement is always on the table but one can see why pilots and FAs can be reluctant to make that call.
All that said, in this case Alaska’s FA are 100% to blame. The FAs knew the accused had a history of sexual harassment, they tolerated it, made jokes about it and continued to serve him alcohol. I assume this was a valuable flyer they didn’t want to anger. Now they are in a lot of trouble. Not because this conduct is rare, it is all too common, but i’m guessing largely because the victim’s last name was Zuckerberg.
Dan – moving the perp to a seat next to someone of the same gender doesnt solve or address the issue. Removing him from the plane (if incident occurs before take-off ) does.
Why don’t you sue them?
Because unlike the SWISS First cancellation, I wasn’t harmed…
And yet, at the end of your article, there is an ad for women’s bathing suits focusing on the body. It ‘s a nice body but kind of ironic.
Yep.
But I have no control over the ads Google places on my site.
Actually, you do.
And yet, in actuality, that ad is on your page because of your own personal internet activity. Matthew doesn’t pick what ads you see on his page. Those ads are custom made for you! They’re based on the web pages you visit, the amount of time you spend on each page, all of thesearches you make, and links that you click on.
My ad is just white space. Guess I’m as pure as undriven snow 😀
I have an ad for a credit card with 3X points (navy federal). Google got it right for me.
As someone who always seems to attract the worst, grossest drunk wherever I am, I sympathize with this woman’s experience. For what it’s worth, I am very assertive and not afraid to speak up and face down creeps. Further, I spent my college years bartending and have a pretty good handle on discussing these situations.
However, altered states of mind (the addiction brain) can’t be reasoned with and the airlines are going to need to think ahead for the future. The FA’s response would not have gone over well with me (or my spouse had he been on that flight).
Another example of the collapse of civility in this world. Another chapter in the continuing story of a failing society. What a sad commentary.