Pilot2B
29th Sep 2006, 02:01
There is some bizarre allegation in the Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia) today claiming that two male Qantas Flight Attendants have been suspended from duty over claims of having had some sort of sexual dealings with a female pax on a SYD-LHR long-haul.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20492925-5007132,00.html
Apparently the pax did not complain, but a colleague dobbed them in.
It all seems a little far-fetched and the Daily Telegraph is not exactly known for their accuracy in reporting. I had to read it several times and check my calendar to make sure it's not April Fools' Day. Take it with a grain of salt:
Qantas stewards grounded
Exclusive by Luke McIlveen
September 29, 2006 12:00
TWOQantas flight attendants have been suspended after claims they rompedwith a young female passenger in the galley of a plane bound for Londonearlier this month.
The attendantshave denied they did anything wrong, claiming their only offence wasbeing friendly to a flirtatious young woman excited about her holidays.
A third male flight attendant made the complaint against his twocolleagues, claiming he witnessed kissing and sexual activity in thefood preparation area.
The Daily Telegraph has been told by sources close to theinvestigation that the flight attendant's complaint reads like a"Barbara Cartland novel".
While the whistleblower flight attendant described the allegedsteamy encounter in graphic detail, other cabin crew have told Qantasthey saw nothing but innocent banter between the three.
The two accused men – one of whom is married with children – arealso angered by SMS messages between flight attendants around the worldspreading rumours that the girl was just 17.
Both men have told Qantas they believed she was in her early 20s andthat she had made advances to them – not the other way around – duringthe Sydney to London flight three weeks ago.
"We understand it is incorrect to suggest the girl was underage,"secretary of the Flight Attendants Association Michael Mijatov told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"Our members are astounded by the allegations that there was improper behaviour and are defending them vigorously."
The union claimed its members were the victims of a smear campaign by a non-member.
One Qantas flight attendant said the scandal had been whipped up mainly because "most people reckon we're gay".
"It's taken off because it involves heterosexual male flight attendants," the attendant said.
"It's gone from a bit of innocent flirting to a rumour mill orgy."
Flight attendants are urging Qantas to track down the young woman inLondon, believing she can reveal once and for all what happened on theflight.
The mystery woman at the centre of the furore was travelling with agirlfriend when she began chatting with the attendant on the long-haulflight.
Cabin crew have told Qantas that the woman did not order alcohol during the trip.
The case has divided flight attendants between those who believe themen acted inappropriately and those who believe they are the victims ofa political correctness campaign.
The attendant who made the complaint to management has worked withthe two men for several years and colleagues were not aware of any badblood between them.
No complaint has been received from the woman and the accused menclaim they had no contact with her after the flight touched down hadHeathrow.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20492925-5007132,00.html
Apparently the pax did not complain, but a colleague dobbed them in.
It all seems a little far-fetched and the Daily Telegraph is not exactly known for their accuracy in reporting. I had to read it several times and check my calendar to make sure it's not April Fools' Day. Take it with a grain of salt:
Qantas stewards grounded
Exclusive by Luke McIlveen
September 29, 2006 12:00
TWOQantas flight attendants have been suspended after claims they rompedwith a young female passenger in the galley of a plane bound for Londonearlier this month.
The attendantshave denied they did anything wrong, claiming their only offence wasbeing friendly to a flirtatious young woman excited about her holidays.
A third male flight attendant made the complaint against his twocolleagues, claiming he witnessed kissing and sexual activity in thefood preparation area.
The Daily Telegraph has been told by sources close to theinvestigation that the flight attendant's complaint reads like a"Barbara Cartland novel".
While the whistleblower flight attendant described the allegedsteamy encounter in graphic detail, other cabin crew have told Qantasthey saw nothing but innocent banter between the three.
The two accused men – one of whom is married with children – arealso angered by SMS messages between flight attendants around the worldspreading rumours that the girl was just 17.
Both men have told Qantas they believed she was in her early 20s andthat she had made advances to them – not the other way around – duringthe Sydney to London flight three weeks ago.
"We understand it is incorrect to suggest the girl was underage,"secretary of the Flight Attendants Association Michael Mijatov told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"Our members are astounded by the allegations that there was improper behaviour and are defending them vigorously."
The union claimed its members were the victims of a smear campaign by a non-member.
One Qantas flight attendant said the scandal had been whipped up mainly because "most people reckon we're gay".
"It's taken off because it involves heterosexual male flight attendants," the attendant said.
"It's gone from a bit of innocent flirting to a rumour mill orgy."
Flight attendants are urging Qantas to track down the young woman inLondon, believing she can reveal once and for all what happened on theflight.
The mystery woman at the centre of the furore was travelling with agirlfriend when she began chatting with the attendant on the long-haulflight.
Cabin crew have told Qantas that the woman did not order alcohol during the trip.
The case has divided flight attendants between those who believe themen acted inappropriately and those who believe they are the victims ofa political correctness campaign.
The attendant who made the complaint to management has worked withthe two men for several years and colleagues were not aware of any badblood between them.
No complaint has been received from the woman and the accused menclaim they had no contact with her after the flight touched down hadHeathrow.