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Home » Southwest Airlines » What Should Happen To Southwest Airlines Pilot Who Said “Let’s Go Brandon” Onboard?
Southwest Airlines

What Should Happen To Southwest Airlines Pilot Who Said “Let’s Go Brandon” Onboard?

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 1, 2021 116 Comments

Southwest Airlines Let's Go Brandon

A Southwest Airlines pilot acted unprofessionally in stating “Let’s go Brandon” over the PA system on his flight. But how should he be punished? And how can Southwest Airlines prevent copycats which serve to make already tense flights even more divisive?

In This Post:

Toggle
  • Southwest Pilot Utters “Let’s Go Brandon” Statement
  • History Of  “Let’s Go Brandon”
  • Southwest Apologizes, Promises Investigation
  • What Should Happen To Southwest Pilot?
  • CONCLUSION

Southwest Pilot Utters “Let’s Go Brandon” Statement

Onboard a flight from Houston to Albuquerque, a Southwest pilot ended his flight announcement with, “Let’s go Brandon.” An Associated Press reporter, who happened to be writing a story on that same phrase, was onboard.

The utterance (thought to be on the same flight, but not confirmed) was posted on TikTok:

“We’re heading east at about seven or eight miles an hour. Clear visibility, mostly clear skies, 77 degrees. Thanks for coming out and flying with Southwest Airlines, welcome aboard and remember, let’s go Brandon.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thatpatriotmom/video/7017901136095022341?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6913579686346753542&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

History Of  “Let’s Go Brandon”

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re not alone–I also was not aware that “Let’s go Brandon” has become a new way of saying “F*** Joe Biden.” Still confused? You have to go back to October 2, 2021 to NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Brandon Brown won. An NBC reporter named Kelli Stavas interviewed him after.

As the interview progressed, Stavas thought the crowd was chanting “Let’s go Brandon! Let’s go Brandon!” But they were really chanting, “F*** Joe Biden! F*** Joe Biden!” Immediately, “Let’s go Brandon” became an internet meme and new cottage industry of “Let’s go Brandon” t-shirts, posters, cups, and other trinkets sprang up. The phrase also became a rallying cry among the Trump crowd, including apparently some Southwest pilots.

Southwest Apologizes, Promises Investigation

Now Southwest has apologized and says it is launching an internal investigation. On Twitter, it categorically denied that the views expressed by this pilot reflected the views of Southwest Airlines.

We know many of you have heard about recent statements that may have been made on a Southwest flight, and we wanted you to hear directly from us. pic.twitter.com/CYh0MugYxd

— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) October 31, 2021

Southwest does not condone Employees sharing their personal political opinions while on the job serving our Customers, and one Employee’s individual perspective should not be interpreted as the viewpoint of Southwest and its collective 54,000 Employees.

But according to comments on TikTok and Twitter, this flight was not an isolated incident and many Southwest Airlines pilots who are angry about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate have been using this phrase, particularly in their goodbye message.

What Should Happen To Southwest Pilot?

The pilot probably did not think he would create a public relations storm by uttering a statement that is harmless when devoid of context.

But context matters. And setting matters.

“Let’s go Brandon” may be used to mask a far more crude statement, but it is intended to convey that crude statement and it is wholly inappropriate for a captive audience on airplane.

Pilots are free to engage in political activism outside of work, but when in uniform and in the front office, they need to shut up and fly the plane. That includes uttering statements that are inherently political or have become politicized.

As tragic as it is that some statements are political, in our divisive, politcally-charged climate, airplanes need to be a refuge from politics. It’s bad enough that masks and drunkenness contribute to trouble onboard. The last thing we need is for pilots or flight attendants to express political opinions, including on their lapel pins. Airlines: take note.

Removing politics from flying does neuter employees or take away any rights. Again, it’s all about the time and place. Onboard an airplane is not the right place.

As for this pilot, a warning should do. All pilots at Southwest should be warned that such statements are not permitted and that if there is any doubt, just don’t say it. Going forward, however, pilots (and all employees) who knowingly offer political commentary on the job should be terminated. They have now been warned. I’m reminded of the metaphor, “If you give an inch, they take a mile…”

CONCLUSION

The pilot has become an instant yeoman hero on the fringe right for “standing up” to Joe Biden and the vaccine mandate. He shouldn’t be. Imagine if the pilot was openly insulting Trump. Instead, we should expect that our pilots are competent, professional, and have discernment, which is decidedly not on display when making political quips over the PA system.

How do you think Southwest should handle the “Let’s go Brandon” pilot(s)?


image: Southwest Airlines

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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116 Comments

  1. derek Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:22 pm

    This phrase is so new that career altering disciplinary action is not warranted. Brief counseling by the company (not a psychiatrist) is appropriate. I thought this phrase was a joke aWN people joke a lot.

    • Nancy Welsh Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 10:26 pm

      Obviouosly the pilot in question knew the meaning of his statement. If Southwest allows him to go unpunished, others will follow with their own political agendas.

      • NONYA Reply
        November 2, 2021 at 3:54 pm

        LGB FJB

      • Eric S Goodman Reply
        December 26, 2021 at 10:16 pm

        This is so typical of the liberal left. They were spewing “crap” out of every orifice for years when Trump was president, and definitely not as mild as Let’s Go Brandon. Hell Pelosi herself has said things a drunken Sailor would have thought twice before uttering such words, (she is a real class act). Any opinion the left has on anything the right has done in the last 11 months, should be taken with a grain of salt. Because if Let’s Go Brandon is the worse thing the right says about Biden, then that entire party should consider themselves fortunate.

    • Robert Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 11:14 am

      I’m sure all Southwest Pilot contracts have a morals clause that outlines what they can and cannot do while wearing a Southwest uniform.
      If they expressly forbid outward expressions if political views, then they should fire the pilot.
      If not then they should keep the pilot and face the consequences of employing such a person.

      The one thing I’m not gonna’ do wring my hands and clutch my pearls waiting with baited breath to see how Southwest’s management handles this MAGA child.

      I just won’t buy anymore tickets on Southwest.

      This is what Southwest doesn’t realize.
      Boycotting them while they deal with their petulant MAGA pilots is effortless.
      Here, let me demonstrate.
      There…I just didn’t buy a ticket from Southwest.
      There…I just didn’t do it again.

      Tread carefully here Southwest.

    • Bob Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 11:19 am

      What if that MAGA pilot climbed aboard that plane thinking that Donald trump wanted him to deliberately crash the plane because of some hairbrained fatal patriotism comment made by Tucker Carlson on Fox State TV the night before?

      It’s not so far fetched following The Trump Insurrection, is it?

      Nah.

      Just to be safe, I won’t buy tickets on Southwest anymore.

      Man…that was simple.

    • Bob Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 11:23 am

      He sure owned us Libs.

      How can get him back?
      We really can’t, can we?
      Rats!

      But we can get back at the company that employs him;
      Boycott Southwest.

      Man, that was easy.

  2. Michael Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    As a proud liberal I’m not for firing this pilot either. I’m all for people making mistakes and acknowledging those mistakes and be given a second chance, depending on what the mistake is. I’d give this pilot the benefit of the doubt that it was a lapse in judgment, although pilots should be held at a high standard at all times. I’ll defend anyone’s freedom to support whoever they want regardless of whether I agree with them or not, but the setting was completely inappropriate.

    • Babblespeak Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 4:13 pm

      I’m for firing him. I don’t want someone with that poor of judgment flying my plane. He knew the phrase would cause consternation with some of the captive audience, and didn’t care, or didn’t understand that and is just plain oblivious. Either way, fire him.

      • Catherine G Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 6:31 pm

        fire him

  3. Ryan Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    Regardless of what I think, as long as it doesn’t impact my safety, its an internal workplace issue. Who cares? If southwest wants to be associated with people like that, they have every right to. And i have every right to not give southwest my business.

    Now if that pilot is unvaxxed he is impacting safety of other passengers.. that is a different story.

    Thankfully for Southwest, they monopolize certain airports.. and the public will soon forget.

    • Dave Edwards Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      Wait? What? We now have proof the unvaccinated are not transmitting the virus?

      That should be the biggest news story of the day. I thought the vaccinated were only at much lower risk of getting severe cases of Covid. Nice, since I’m vaccinated anytime I get sick there is no need to get a test and avoid people since I’m no risk to them.

      This boycott will go over as well as the gays and liberals boycotting Chik Fil A. Every time I drive by one there isn’t a car in their drive through. Then again, I only go out on Sundays.

      • Michael Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 5:17 pm

        I find it interesting that a good Christian like yourself is so well informed on boycott’s led by ‘the gays’ and ‘liberals’. I wonder why….

        • Dave Edwards Reply
          November 1, 2021 at 7:29 pm

          Conservative, yes. Christian, not at all. The abortion issue separates me from the church. I not just pro choice, I’m a proud pro abortion person. Since most of the kids aborted will be born poor and dependent on government I’m glad their irresponsible mothers and maybe fathers make the easy decision to not punish taxpayers by having them.

          And the Chik Fil A thing was a huge story a few years back that everyone knew about. Doesn’t seem like it hurt them and I don’t think they have to deal with their men’s room being a gay meeting place.

    • chasgoose Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 7:12 pm

      I mean at the very least it shows incredibly poor judgment. He knows the statement is going to rub some people the wrong way, yet he said it to his captive audience anyways. I wouldn’t want someone with that little impulse control to be flying my plane.

  4. Dave Edwards Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:34 pm

    What should happen to him? He should take Parker’s job at AA.

    Certainly couldn’t do any worse.

    Let’s Go Brandon!

  5. Brian L. Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:36 pm

    Most likely nothing serious will happen to him. If Southwest did anything to him, it would just create a bigger PR mess.

    • Bob Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 11:27 am

      PR mess?

      Like standing behind a MAGA Insurrectionist pilot in the face of mounting criticism and a Southwest boycott?

      If I was that Southwest MAGA pilot, I’d be dusting off the ole resume and desperately trying to get any ‘Letter of Recommendation’ I can before he’s shown the door.
      Which will be Friday…if my estimate of corporate greed and protection for the bottom line is at all accurate.

  6. Airgypsy Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    Nothing! Besides, most people claim they do not know what the phrase means, as hard as that is to believe. And it’d be a challenge to prove what the pilot truly meant, since the journalist who started all this was saying that the people during the sports event were really chanting for Brandon.
    After having said this, I say, Clean up on isle 46!

  7. Kevin Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    “…Imagine if the pilot was openly insulting Trump.” I can. He would have been heralded as a Hero of the people by the mainstream media, lauded as a shining example of professionalism, and would have been invited to the Whitehouse for a Presidential Medal of Freedom by the current administration.

    • Jerry Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 2:06 pm

      Like Rush Limbaugh?

    • Jan Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 4:47 pm

      Exactly! The Pilot would be cheered, if only one person on the flight agreed, all the liberal media would herald this as the Second Coming.What about how visciously Robert DeNiro verbally attacked Trump-no one suggested he should stop acting. He was not scolded by his actors Union. One more diversion from how awful our current Administration is performing-thats all this is. I only care that the Pilot gets his plane to the destination safely!

  8. Jackson Waterson Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    He should be made chief pilot and all who don’t support him should be fired. All who don’t espouse similar views and don’t support freedom of choice (whether school/tax/guns/speech/association/no vaccines) should be fired as well. What do you expect. Of course I’m going to support him. I don’t support rules and laws made by leftists. It’s illogical that any conservative support the enforcement of leftist rules, policies, and laws. He’s a better man than many and should be noted.

    • Brutus Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 2:47 pm

      I always love your parodies of right-wing imbeciles. I”m only concerned that some people might not pick up on the satire.

      • Jackson Waterson Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 7:58 pm

        The parody is conservatives who think it makes sense to support enforcement of rules, laws, and policies we don’t agree with.

    • John Anderson Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 10:16 pm

      To Jackson Waterson. Easily the most idiotic and ignorant reply here. I guess you haven’t heard of the escalating violence on airplanes lately. A flight attendant had two teeth knocked out recently by a passenger who went crazy when politely asked to put his face mask on. The list goes on and is lengthy. And here we have a pilot aggravating this whole mess by making a political statement over the PA system for all passengers to hear. I would not want to be on an airplane commanded by a pilot this stupid, showing an astonishing lack of judgement.

  9. Derek Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    Did WN express support for BLM?

    If so, very hypocritical to issue discipline for the pilot

    • Nate nate Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 2:18 pm

      One is a company, one is an employee. They aren’t the same.

      • Derek Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 4:12 pm

        And the company is owned by shareholders

        Did the executives who supported BLM do so on behalf of all shareholders?

        It’s the same damn thing. Too bad libs like you take the idea of free speech only if you agree with the position being expressed. You are no different than Commies in Cuba (yes, they are guaranteed free speech, just not speech against the Revolution)

        • Ryan Reply
          November 1, 2021 at 6:35 pm

          No, its not. Get a clue. What a company expresses in the marketing is way different than an individual acting on behalf of a company expresses to a captive audience.

          Doesn’t matter “what” political views the pilot expressed… Pro/Anti BLM / Trump / etc.

          If your going to make an argument, at least learn some modicum of intelligence

          • Derek
            November 1, 2021 at 8:48 pm

            OK Comrade

        • chasgoose Reply
          November 2, 2021 at 7:16 pm

          If WN supported BLM and shareholders didn’t like it, they could sell their shares. Southwest is an at-will employer, which means they don’t have to have a reason for firing someone. They have every reason to fire someone for saying or doing something they didn’t like.

        • Tiger Curran Reply
          November 15, 2021 at 9:45 am

          Just another person who doesn’t understand free speech. Just to educate you. The government is held to free speech not businesses. Every private company don’t allow free speech while you are working.

  10. Jerry Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    You mention that he should “shut up and fly the plane,” and I think I disagree with that statement. This pilot was certainly a moron, and in the case of saying F the President to a plane full of passengers, he should have indeed kept his mouth closed, but I think there may be situations where respectfully stating one’s opinion should be permitted. Showing solidarity for racial equity or LGBTQ rights, in the form of a lapel pin perhaps, hurts nobody, yet may make other people feel safe, or welcome, or respected. In the same vein, wouldn’t “shutting up and flying” preclude a pilot from wearing a cross or Star of David necklace?

    Of course saying “let’s go Brandon” does nothing to help anybody, and only stirs division, or in the case of this crazy liberal, amuses me quite a bit.

    • Dave Edwards Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      Supporting racial equality and supporting BLM are 2 totally different things.

      • Jerry Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 2:33 pm

        I didn’t necessarily equate them to be the same, did I?

  11. Stuart Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    I am still waiting to learn his identity. I think making it public would be punishment enough. And provide a powerful lesson to others who are considering turning their cockpit into a pulpit.

    • Miamiorbust Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      This is not even a slightly veiled threat of intimidation against the pilot. Spoken like a cancel culture veteran. Classy. Make this knucklehead pilot a hero and he’ll have a job at fox for life.

  12. Paul Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    This pompous a$$hat spoke to a captive audience who had no choice or ability to respond or ignore his comments. He has been hired to safely drive an airplane, not to give unfettered, unfiltered political discourse. Maybe he should take a job at Faux news..

    • Tim Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      You ever think about Jimmy Kimmel, or what about your anti gun Alec Baldwin buddy . Kathy Gifford , spreading their hate on my television. That’s ok right?

      • Mary-Jo Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 7:17 pm

        Kathy Griffin had all her jobs cancelled and paid a mighty price. I support the right of anyone
        to free speech but on the job. with a captive audience that can’t just get up and walk away if
        they don’t support the message, that seems wrong.

  13. Bill Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    What should happen to SWA (and AA) for taking billions of our dollars so they would retain sufficient trained staff for the return of air travel? Not so much.

  14. Joe Chivas Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    The pilot was clearly a fan of Brandon Brown. Nothing more, nothing less. Not sure why you are politicizing a NASCAR reference…

  15. BSOD Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    Send warning to the Pilot, restate policy to everyone and move on. Professionalism is a necessity. If you are pilot or FA, Professionalism is needed, the culture wars have no place here and frankly, this is far too high school for this setting.

  16. Santastico Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Let’s Go Brandon!!!!

  17. Adam L Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    Warning to pilot is sufficient.

    My larger concern is that it’s childish and shows poor decision-making, which is exactly the opposite characteristics I’d want in a pilot.

  18. Joe Biden Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    Name’s Joe but my friends call me Brandon.

  19. Jan Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Nobody:
    Articles in the coming days: “‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Is The New Racist Alt Right Trumpist Hate Speech”

  20. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Was the pilot referring to the same Sleepy Joe who fell asleep during the climate change conference today?

  21. SadMan Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    A pilot in the USA would get in more trouble for saying “Asalam AlayKoum” on the PA than for saying “F** Joe Biden”

    Sad

  22. stogieguy7 Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Nothing at all. Considering all of the hate and vitriol spewed against the last president by representatives of corporate boards and the tech giants, a little turnabout is fair play. And this is like 0.1 percent of what 45 went through.

  23. Neal Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    The pilot should be fired. He is a safety risk to the flying public. If he disregarded the WN policy related to politics in the cockpit, what other policies does this imbecile think he’s exempt from? Let the dominos fall and let’s let all of these Trumpanzees fight each other to the death (or until covid gets them since they’re largely unvaxxed) on some desert island.

  24. Gt Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    While in uniform political views underwraps unless allowed by his company….respect the uniform. Other than that it’s a free country.

  25. AlohaAlways Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Imagine yourself, on the verge of being, not furloughed but actually fired from your position as a pilot for refusing to submit to a medical procedure that has been known to create a host of cascading and debilitating health issues, such as Deep Vein Thrombosis and blood clots. How many of you actually read the Safety Card in the seat back pocket. Clearly states that DVT is an issue when flying.
    Now, imagine yourself as a pilot, butt in seat, having been forced to comply to keep your job, yet knowing that you put yourself at added risk because of the jab. A sudden blood clot, a heart attack brought on by stroke via DVT?
    Now, add to this the responsibility of having all those passengers on board, their lives and safety in your hands.
    I’m with the pilot on this one. #LetsGoBrandon

    • Ryan Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      Antivaxxer pilots / FA’s should absolutely be fired. No sympathy for the ignorant.

      “Life is way too short to be ignorant of the promise of something that is helping people worldwide. Stop the deaths. Stop the suffering. Please. Get vaccinated.”

    • chasgoose Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 7:18 pm

      Sucks for them.

  26. Miamiorbust Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    I actually do think the pilot likely should be fired. This is political speech, full stop. Most companies have very clear policies on use of political speech, particularly in customer facing roles. To the extent that applies here, it is a significant breach of workplace rules. I would also like to see the flight attendants peddling their pet political views as diversity booted too. Add in vax mandates too please and we’ll be walking to Albuquerque.

  27. John k Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    The co pilot was named Brandon! People like you making up crap….

  28. Justin Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    So the NPR reporter that supposedly heard this statement, gets away with pounding on the cockpit door, just for a comment? Where’s the violation of actual law? Leftist hypocrites…remember the democratic congresswoman encouraging constituents to annoy and harrass conservative supporters on national television? Probably not.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      That’s an interesting angle. I’ll address that tomorrow.

      • Joe Biden Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 4:56 pm

        Please don’t. It doesn’t help our narrative.

        • Donald Trump Reply
          November 1, 2021 at 10:52 pm

          Lazy Joe I’m surprized you didn’t blame me again.

    • Kevin Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      @Justin – No doubt.

      “Please, get up in the face of some congress people” — Sen. Corey Booker

      “you can’t be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for” — Hillary Clinton

      Threatened “widespread civil unrest” if Trump fired Mueller. He repeatedly said people should “take to the streets” if Trump did so. — Rep Ted Lieu

      Encouraged a group of activists to fight back. “Michelle [Obama] always says, ‘When they go low, we go high,’” Holder began. “No. No. When they go low, we kick them.” — Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

      Said Democrats would “fight [Trump] and challenge him in every way that we can in the Congress, in the courts, and in the streets and protests,” if the president declared a national emergency about a government shutdown. — Rep. Joaquin Castro

      Urged activists to physically confront the Trump administration in public places, saying, “You get out and create a crowd. You push back on them. You tell them they are not welcomed anymore or anywhere.” And continued her narrative in an interview with MSNBC’s Joy Reid, telling people to be “more forceful, more confrontational, and more prepared to push back on this administration.” — Rep. Maxine Waters

      Said “when you’re in the arena, you have to be ready to take a punch, and you have to be ready to throw a punch … for the children.” — Rep. Nancy Pelosi

      Encouraging people to “punch Trump in the face.” — Sen. Jon Tester

      There are HUNDREDS more of these insane liberal rants, but I’m tired of typing.

      So people want this pilot fired/cancelled? When are these liberal clowns going to get cancelled for you know, inciting actual violence?

  29. cargocult Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Shut up and fly the plane? That sounds an awful lot like that despicably white supremacist imperative to shut up and dribble.

    That being said, if progressives like to claim that airlines, being private businesses, should be allowed to mandate masks or vaccinations, they should also defend their right to permit or prohibit speech of just about any sort. I don’t think pilots should be making political speech, but what does cheering on BLM, a Marxist organization with a domestic terrorist on its board, count as?

  30. Lastmate Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    Perhaps all US airlines could remove the cockpit microphone and replace with 3 synthesized messages “Flight attendants please be seated for takeoff”, “Flight attendants prepare the cabin for landing”, “evacuate, evacuate, evacuate” 😉

  31. Ken Adams Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    How is that different that FAs with buttons on their uniform expressing political opinions??

    • Ken Adams Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      “How is that different THAN…” sorry

  32. Robert Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    I was on a four-segment AA round trip flight recently. Three of the four pilots during their opening welcome announcement read the FAA mask mandate message sarcastically as if they were holding their noses. Pilots are a extension and representative of the companies they work for, and should convey the same mission, vision and values. Shame on this pilot and on Southwest for not reprimanding – or firing – this captain.

    • Kevin Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      They would probably love woke optics of canning the guy. However, unlike a Flight Attendant, baggage handler or skycap, pilots can’t simply be hired off the street, sent to 3 weeks of training and put in the left seat. I’m sure SWA would rather keep the plane flying and the fares rolling in.

  33. Christian Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    The alt-right is well represented in the comments today. Their comments while purporting to belong to the left are amusing, although completely unbelievable.

    As to the pilot, he’s espousing hatred while engaging in his duties. That’s a giant no-no and unless he’s a complete imbecile (in which case he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a cockpit) he knew that beforehand. Therefore he needs to be fired immediately. Otherwise, where do you draw the line on pathetically stupid hate statements as a pilot? Giving the nazi salute? Holocaust jokes? Perhaps some slavery humor on Juneteenth?

    • UA-NYC Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      That’s the most popular part of the “Republican” party these days…the group that loves insurrections and inventing CRT controversies, but hates doing anything that actually looks like “governing”

  34. Dom Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    A short suspension without pay.

    I hope others will do what I did, and ignore all the whataboutism posts.

  35. Debbie England Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    He should be fired.
    He had a captured audience and took political advantage of his public position to use vulgar words about our and his president who, through our great election process, a majority of Americans used to choose.

    As a grandma, former teacher we encourage all children to feel they could become President one day. Joe Biden was like that too.

    Would he or you or anyone think a professional pilot guarding the lives of people would publicly use the F word in front of children and others ruining the time he was entrusted with?

    He made an unprofessional, planned decision that affected SWA travelers on and off the plane.

    I was a huge fan of SWA, but easy decision 3 days ago.

    • Lori Reply
      November 3, 2021 at 10:51 pm

      Bu-bye, double standard angry woman.
      Southwest should NOT fire him, just like they didn’t fire the kneeling football players, just like they allow workers everywhere, on airlines etc… to wear pins stating BLM.
      You believe you are allowed freedom of speech but anyone that disagrees with you should not?
      Why are you given that right but nobody else?
      Sorry, but you can’t have it both ways.

  36. Ken Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    How I wish there were other popular aviation blogs that are not run by USA folks. Tired of reading about your politics and social issues. Does anyone know of a good Canadian or British Aviation Blogger?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 1, 2021 at 6:15 pm

      You don’t have to click on every story…

      • Chuck Bobuck Reply
        November 1, 2021 at 7:51 pm

        And you don’t have to be a woke, hypersensitive liberal douche bag, but, oh, well.

  37. Daniel P Martin Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    I think the next time I fly SWA I’ll get this chant going

  38. Gina Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 6:57 pm

    Same stuff that happened to the kneelers in major league sports the last few years? Both showing their bias/beliefs while on the job. No one got hurt-except for their feelings.

  39. Tank Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Agree. The USA is coming across the globe as an ignorant nation. Only place in the world where military get priority boarding and get “thanked for their service” on the speaker. Another unnecessary ridiculous political statement inappropriate when you are flying a private company.

  40. Ksa63 Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    Nothing should happen to the pilot. This is a non-event being blown completely out of proportion.

  41. Bianca Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 9:01 pm

    We have bigger problems so really?

  42. S Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    Do we even have confirmation he said it? We just have the word of one woman reporter. What if he just said Let’s go Braves or something? Southwest knows who the pilot was of that flight and last I knew hadn’t released any real statement over it besides “We’re going to investigate.”

    I wouldn’t be surprised if this didn’t even happen. Reminds me of when someone at the Rockies game was shouting “Hey Dinger!” and people thought it sounded like “Hey…” you know…

    • PolishKnight Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      Apparently, there is some confusion over whether the pilot actually said “Let’s go Braves”.

      So ironically, the pilot not only won’t be punished for saying something he didn’t say, but “Let’s go Brandon” now got tons of newsworthy coverage over a non-story. The AP reporter did a great job if that was the intention… 🙂

  43. JustSaying Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    There’s no excuse for this……he was told not to do this during his training………….Fire him! He’s not niece…..he knew exactly what he was doing!

    • Lori Reply
      November 3, 2021 at 10:43 pm

      Got a lot of double standards going on here, don’t you?

  44. Jcil Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    He should be given a promotion. The reporter trying to break-in to the cockpit should do prison time. LGB is pretty tame to what every R president has been called on the nightly entertainment shows every single day of their time in office.

  45. Desertfox Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 10:02 pm

    A verbal warnig is more than sufficient. His is a meme and if me people get a case of the vapors from this need to re-evaluate their ability to deal with life. This matter is a funny, snarky to way more people that what you to “fringe right”, You want to diminish and marginal a portion of the population that is WAY larger than fringe, which will become readily apparent come 2022 and 2024!

  46. Wake up Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    Can you say FREEDOM OF SPEECH???!!! Leave this pilot alone. In the grand scheme of things ….this country going to “hell in a hand basket “ we can surely let him express in a harmless way his total frustration with this administration’s constant restriction & outright bullying of anyone who does NOT pledge total allegiance to & have blind faith in it’s openly socialist policies threatening to overtake our country. I am disgusted & tired of listening to the outright vicious attacks of the left against patriotic & conservative thinking Americans at every turn in every area of our lives. We are called racists among other derogatory names & accused of being trouble makers just for standing up for our rights and principles we believe in. We are no longer allowed to disagree or have freedom of choice if it does not align 100% with the Democrat agenda. Conservatives are already threatened with loss of jobs, facing banning from recreational activities, loss of social media access with much worse and more serious threats on the horizon. We, along with our babies & children are being forced to wear masks at the ever changing whims & discretion of this administration & the “so-called” medical gurus in charge of advising us on what we MUST do in the name of safety today vs what our orders were yesterday! We are treated like yo-yo’s day in & day out. We & now our children are being coerced & bribed or threatened into receiving Covid “vaccines” when no one can actually truly vouch for their safety or effectiveness. We are seeing many of the vaxxed contracting Covid. We are now hearing about the possibility of a 4th booster being required???? What kind of “truth” have we been told about any of this!! This is scientific guesswork at best !! Bottom line, we NO LONGER are allowed individual choices & rights!! Radical liberals , such as the whiners on the plane, now dare conservatives to ever even think, much less utter, any opposing views regarding how fed up we are about their liberal leaders’ mission to destroy anything that resembles any type of individual choice. Choices we believed we were entitled to & exercised in our once great nation!!!We should not have to cower to others & be terrified, in our work places , of letting others know what we stand for. When did simply disagreeing or even jokingly disagreeing dictate that firing from a job is the correct course of action?? From our overworked & Underpaid police force to our courageous military to our dedicated healthcare workers to our favorite & most talented athletes & most humorous comedians to the most common but necessary American workers …..We are being told what we have to think, cancelled & fired without just cause. We are being threatened & called racist (often for simply being born white) for daring to believe something other than what the liberal agenda (being forced down our throats each & every day) tells us we can or can’t believe. This popular & oh so offensive new “chant” & is actually pretty harmless when compared to some of the other unfair, aggressive & even violent ways others choose to assert their beliefs!! It is a very mild form of protesting the most liberal, unpopular and “seemingly” ignorant president/administration we have experienced in my lifetime. He a a bumbling, feeble prop for the socialists and has no leadership skills or credibility. Our nation is losing respect because of his total lack of leadership and this places our nation & our people in a dangerous & vulnerable position. Yet…..Biden is protected & defended at every turn by the democratic biased media. Trump had his issues for sure and although a supporter, I am well aware of his flaws. That said, he was our elected President & was treated with outright disrespect & disdain that never should have been allowed. Not only that…. Those who cursed & ridiculed him for everything from his speech, mannerisms, suits/ties , weight, hair, skin color (orange) & yes, of course his outbursts & tweets …were celebrated, applauded & openly encouraged for this behavior by Democrats & OUR main stream media. What is this outright & in-your-face double standard?? How could these same groups defend the embarrassment we now have holding the highest office in our nation.? What is wrong with this dysfunctional picture where Liberals speak out of both sides of their mouths. I say slap the pilot on the wrist (if you must in order to appease the fragile liberals’ feelers) and then leave him the hell alone!! Move on….We have bigger issues here! His opinion will not kill ya…. But having a shortage of pilots could!!! He’s not a “”terrorist” ” as the libs seem to love to label any conservative with a spine. Know that when your government continually tries control & suppress the people of a supposedly free nation & that these agendas & policies go against EVERYTHING our country used to stand far …. You are going to see some pushback & some forms of protest. Give conservatives a little damn wiggle room & stop waiting to pounce on & crucify us for daring to speak OUR truth. At least they are not out burning & looting our cities & acting like wild animals!! Or threatening to behead the current President!!

    For God’s sake Southwest Airlines stop caving & grow some …. Choose your battles wisely. Many conservative Americans are sick & tired of this discrimination being played out daily. Think how your hasty decisions today based out of fear could affect your bottom line tomorrow. This lack of corporate backbone & unwillingness to be fair to your employees, makes me want to book my upcoming flight with any company other than yours! You were first choice before I saw this story break. Cowardice is so unappealing. Every company/corporation across this nation is experiencing employee shortages b/c your corporate leaders are so willing to sacrifice good employees & bow & scrape to the liberal/woke agenda to make everything under the sun “fair”, “equal” & “politically correct”. Guess what???? Life is not fair & it sure as hell is not gonna always be correct. That is what heaven is for! We are destroying our peoples ability to develop intestinal fortitude by removing every obstacle, barrier or unpleasantry in our attempt to make this world a utopia. I am grateful for the stumbling blocks that have made me rise up & keep persevering & striving for better …. Not perfect!! We are allowing necessary & talented workers to walk off jobs every day now to the detriment of our country. This is often due to those INDIVIDUALS choosing not to have a potentially harmful “vaccine” (with no long term studies to prove otherwise)!to be injected into their bodies. How did we get here?? Many of us need to wake up from our comfortable comas & realize this IS happening. That pilot today …. You & me tomorrow!

  47. Same Reply
    November 1, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    It’s simply a hilarious reference to the reporters FAIL; whatever side of the underlying political commentary by the crowd you follow. Some people want to find reasons to feel victimized or only support a double standard.

  48. Ryan Reply
    November 2, 2021 at 6:01 am

    I’m always amused by the hypocrisy and faux outrage of both sides of any argument these days…

    How many of you supporting the pilot also supported the athletes who took a knee to make a political statement? Or vice versa, those of you who supported that movement now want the pilot to “shut up and fly”.

    Principles aren’t meant to be fluid. Otherwise they aren’t principles.

    Won’t even say what I think about it. Why? Because my opinion is irrelevant. Just like the pilot, the athlete, the blogger & the commentary.

    • Jan Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 8:42 am

      American professional athletes are a special bunch. They claim racism and that being in an NFL combine is akin to a slave auction, while making millions and millions of dollars, while supporting companies that practice in actual slavery in China, and are silent to avoid being in the wrong side of Xi Jinping. It’s not the simply the same as them saying “F Trump” (which is basically what the LGB movement is)

    • Ricport Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 8:59 am

      Ding! We have a winner. Well said.

      • Beasty Reply
        November 2, 2021 at 11:10 am

        Seriously?Ones political opinions do not determine how well someone does their job.We’d all be worse off than we are now if that was the case. And who are you to call for someone’s job? Stop judging in the court of public opinion. Theres so many other things to worry about than what a person’s political views are. Isnt that why we live here to be able to voice opinions? Nut up people and move on. We all have work to do!

  49. Nina Reply
    November 2, 2021 at 9:13 am

    We don’t need dumb pilots flying planes. I’d rather have a robot fly the plane than any tool who thinks overtly biased political commentary is an appropriate use of the intercom on an active flight. As for “joking” (because no abusive person ever uses the excuse “I was just joking….!” ever after being gross and cruel to their partner or parent or co-worker….nah…that never happens….), sorry, but regardless of SW’s casual atmosphere, this is still inappropriate.

    • cargocult Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 9:19 am

      BLM is cynical, gross, cruel and inappropriate. Corporate support of BLM is cynical, gross, cruel and inappropriate.

      • UA-NYC Reply
        November 2, 2021 at 7:17 pm

        Being an anti-vaxxer and spouting demonstrably false claims is cynical, gross, cruel and inappropriate

        • cargocult Reply
          November 4, 2021 at 6:33 am

          UA-CCP cries and insults folx all day long, but he doesn’t ever seem to be able to rebut my factual posts with actual evidence. He just “follows the science.” Imagine how eagerly this devoted comrade would have toed the party line in the USSR or the heady days of the Cultural Revolution. Four legs good, two legs better!

  50. Beasty Reply
    November 2, 2021 at 11:15 am

    So its ok for Delta and American to have BLM pins for their crew members to wear but Southwest pilot cant speak his opinion? Is that the same? Im still forced to look at that pin as a passenger. Maybe i should call for all the crew memebers wearing them to be fired. Wow how did we get here?

  51. Mike Reply
    November 2, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    If that was an implication about Trump, I bet u left wing Marxists would give the pilot a medal.

  52. Marxismisdeadly Reply
    November 2, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    Hey author, you just violated your own writings by referring to this pilot as “fringe right”.

    This is a very minor non violent polite comment. If you think that this pilot should possibly be fired, then what punishment do you think this past years violent rioters and arsonist in Seattle, Minneapolis, Portland, Keniska, Chicago, etc. should receive? The “almost no punishment like they have received so far”?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 2, 2021 at 11:15 pm

      I said he should not be fired…

      But I don’t consider code names for cursing the POTUS, whether he be Trump or Biden, appropriate.

      • Roman from mass Reply
        November 5, 2021 at 7:50 am

        You’re clearly biased buddy, don’t even sugar coat it, trump was called a supremacist, nazi, racist, there are negative books and movies about him, comedians mocked him, and what? Nothing from you about unprofessionalism there bub. Why don’t you shutup and dive back into your liberal hole and binge watch your clown news network (cnn) all day. Thanks.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          November 5, 2021 at 6:43 pm

          I condemn the use of the F word, coded or otherwise.

  53. Brittany Reply
    November 2, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    I dont think he should be fired!

  54. Linda Kimel Reply
    November 3, 2021 at 8:43 am

    A warning or reprimand should suffice here. A pilot making a public political comment, either Dem or Rep, is unprofessional and it’s a coaching/feedback opportunity for his superior. This is NOT a reason for a person to lose their job. Southwest needs to be smart here; if they fire a pilot for this statement, they will have to fire many more in the future for ANYTHING deemed offensive by the public.

  55. Linda Spellacy Reply
    November 3, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    I flew my last flight with SWA last night. Came home and cancelled future tickets. The pilot with no judgement. To have such bad judgement as a pilot scares me to think what he would do at trumps suggestion. Example January 6. Last night’s flight one of the flight attendants wore a very loose mask that came as high as her upper lip. In the galley she took it off. Several customers wore theirs around their neck and nothing was done. They flew maskless the entire trip. I loved SWA and was all i flew, but in my opinion, they are playing with fire, Let it become trump airlines.

    • Dave Edwards Reply
      November 3, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      Seems Frontier and Spirit are the perfect airline for you Linda. I’m assuming you aren’t exactly the type that flies First Class anyways.

      So you can cancel tickets and get your money back now? That’s news to everyone here. Or you are walking away from them and giving SW the money so they win anyways.

    • Lori Reply
      November 3, 2021 at 10:36 pm

      Political statements became accepted when they blew it up before the football games.
      I have a feeling, for every passenger boycotting Southwest, there will be another 4 to fly only Southwest! Southwest Airlines is going to go up in stock!

    • Olaf G. Reply
      November 4, 2021 at 10:41 am

      Your post reeks of exaggeration. Enjoy the feeling of hypocrisy the next time you find yourself sitting in a Southwest seat. I get that you are mad, but really? Do you know why the people were mask-less? Are you judging them, and the flight attendant, on superficial observations? Oh, and by the way, it’s not about you. No one cares what airline you fly.

  56. Ben Michael Wilton Reply
    November 3, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    But its fine for De Niro to say F Trump in front of thousands of people right?

  57. Olaf G. Reply
    November 4, 2021 at 10:34 am

    If “Let’s go, Brandon!” meant F*** Donald Trump, it would be commonly used by reporters and news commentators without resistance. The American Left has ceded the intellectual high ground. It’s a jab at a divisive political figure who has a half-century of public exposure, and who has thrown his share of jabs. President Biden called Donald Trump, the President of the United States at the time, a clown on national TV during a presidential debate – no outrage? Double standards undermine credibility.

  58. BDAGuy Reply
    November 4, 2021 at 7:04 pm

    So, the pilot doesn’t care for the President. Fine. But echoing an earlier comment, what else does the pilot feel he can safely comment upon without repercussion: people of color, LGBTQ, women? It becomes a slippery slope when personal views, no mater how legit (or illegit) enter a shared space occupied by a wide variety of people. Federal regulations – rightly or wrongly, depending on your viewpoint – mandate masks and other basic health measures; just as they mandate fastening seatbelts, not interfering with a flight crew and not opening emergency doors. If we get to pick and choose what we will or will not abide by chaos ensues. The very last place anyone should want to see chaos is aboard a plane, especially from the pilot. Should he be fired? No. Disciplined by sitting out some flights and loss of income, yes. Actions must have consequences and passengers shouldn’t be subjected to social commentary by the guy paid to fly the plane.

    • Roman from mass Reply
      November 5, 2021 at 7:40 am

      Yet teachers and professors in classrooms can express their view points all they want correct? You political leftist are just so boneheaded. America is standing up we had enough of your bs, and You are about to face the consequences. For rigging the election, teaching our children absolute crap about race theory and genderism, forcing these mandates on us, raising business tax, raising gas prices, causing chaos at our border, increasing our national debt which leads to inflation dumaases. You’re ruining this country and had enough.

  59. M Janc Reply
    November 5, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    “the pilot has become an instant yeoman hero on the fringe right” -Unconscious bias, perhaps wishful denial; this has become thematic across the political spectrum.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 5, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      Are you kidding? Fox News is playing up “Let’s Go Brandon” across its primetime line-up. This isn’t unconscious bias – this is an observation.

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