QF Flight Attendant Accused of Racism by will.i.am
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QF Flight Attendant Accused of Racism by will.i.am
Yet another alleged victim of racial profiling and police brutality.
https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/black-eyed-peas-star-william-accuses-qantas-flight-attendant-of-racism/news-story/7973ce6856b281c483940e56ca587fa7
Black Eyed Peas Star will.i.am accuses Qantas flight attendant of racism
November 16, 2019 9:02pm
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has accused a Qantas flight attendant of racism after a tense incident on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney.
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has accused a Qantas flight attendant of racism after a tense incident on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney today.
November 16, 2019 9:02pm
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has accused a Qantas flight attendant of racism after a tense incident on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney.
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has accused a Qantas flight attendant of racism after a tense incident on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney today.
The rapper and songwriter tweeted while he was still on the plane, telling his 12.8 million followers he had been mistreated by an “overly aggressive flight attendant”.
“I don’t want to believe she racist. But she has clearly aimed all her frustrations only at the people of colour,” he said.
Will.i.am said he had not heard the announcements over the PA because he was wearing noise cancelling headphones, and was then confronted by the flight attendant when he did not put away his laptop fast enough.
He said the incident happened about 20 minutes into the flight.
When the plane landed, he was met by five police officers, who let him go without further incident.
“Qantas, your racist flight attendant was beyond rude and took it to the next level by calling the police on me. Thank god the other passengers testified that she was out of control. The police finally let me go. Imagine if the police were as aggressive,” he said.
“Is calling the police on a passenger for not hearing the PA due to wearing noise cancelling headphones appropriate?
“I did comply quickly and politely, only to be greeted by police. I think I was targeted.”
He went on to allege the flight attendant “singled every person of colour in the flight and gave them a hard time”, and that “other passengers on the flight agreed that she was out of hand”.
The singer also retweeted a couple of people who said they were on the same flight, and agreed with him.
Meanwhile, he hit back at suggestions he was intimidating the flight attendant in question by singling her out and naming her online. News.com.au has not named her for legal reasons.
“I am posting so that this doesn’t happen again. It shouldn’t happen to an Aboriginal, Latino, African, LGBTQ white, red or anyone. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect,” he said.
He said he did not “wish any harm to anyone” and merely wanted everyone to be “respected and treated with dignity”.
Qantas has denied the incident was race-related, instead putting it down to a “misunderstanding”.
“There was a misunderstanding on board, which seems to have been exacerbated by will.i.am wearing noise cancelling headphones and not being able to hear instructions from crew,” a spokesman for the airline said.
“We completely reject the suggestion this had anything to do with race. We’ll be following up with will.i.am and wish him well for the rest of the tour.”
“I don’t want to believe she racist. But she has clearly aimed all her frustrations only at the people of colour,” he said.
Will.i.am said he had not heard the announcements over the PA because he was wearing noise cancelling headphones, and was then confronted by the flight attendant when he did not put away his laptop fast enough.
He said the incident happened about 20 minutes into the flight.
When the plane landed, he was met by five police officers, who let him go without further incident.
“Qantas, your racist flight attendant was beyond rude and took it to the next level by calling the police on me. Thank god the other passengers testified that she was out of control. The police finally let me go. Imagine if the police were as aggressive,” he said.
“Is calling the police on a passenger for not hearing the PA due to wearing noise cancelling headphones appropriate?
“I did comply quickly and politely, only to be greeted by police. I think I was targeted.”
He went on to allege the flight attendant “singled every person of colour in the flight and gave them a hard time”, and that “other passengers on the flight agreed that she was out of hand”.
The singer also retweeted a couple of people who said they were on the same flight, and agreed with him.
Meanwhile, he hit back at suggestions he was intimidating the flight attendant in question by singling her out and naming her online. News.com.au has not named her for legal reasons.
“I am posting so that this doesn’t happen again. It shouldn’t happen to an Aboriginal, Latino, African, LGBTQ white, red or anyone. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect,” he said.
He said he did not “wish any harm to anyone” and merely wanted everyone to be “respected and treated with dignity”.
Qantas has denied the incident was race-related, instead putting it down to a “misunderstanding”.
“There was a misunderstanding on board, which seems to have been exacerbated by will.i.am wearing noise cancelling headphones and not being able to hear instructions from crew,” a spokesman for the airline said.
“We completely reject the suggestion this had anything to do with race. We’ll be following up with will.i.am and wish him well for the rest of the tour.”
https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/black-eyed-peas-star-william-accuses-qantas-flight-attendant-of-racism/news-story/7973ce6856b281c483940e56ca587fa7
Yeah, good onyer you dill, ignore all the things the FAs say about not using your electronic stuff (he has never been on a plane before, so doesn't know how to behave) and then say they are picking on you because you are "of colour".
Except for the FA, who he named and shamed.
Go home you idiot.
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect,” he said.
Go home you idiot.
Yeah, good onyer you dill, ignore all the things the FAs say about not using your electronic stuff (he has never been on a plane before, so doesn't know how to behave) and then say they are picking on you because you are "of colour".
Except for the FA, who he named and shamed.
Go home you idiot.
Except for the FA, who he named and shamed.
Go home you idiot.
He starts out by claiming (in essence) that she was misusing her power. He then responds by misusing his supposed celebrity power by shaming her and naming her and potentially putting her in danger.
He's a dick who has since realised (the penny dropped eventually) he's acted in that way and is now belatedly asking followers not to hate her... too little, too late.
What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
How would this bloke feel if someone saw him innocently giving candy to a kid and posted “will.i.am is a paedophile” to his millions of followers. And other people “saw him” so that must make it true. That wouldn’t stand in a million years. Lawsuits left right and centre.
I’m not a huge fan of the stereotypical QF “dragon” FAs. Sometimes I have to pax in uniform due tight timing etc, I often get what I perceive to be patronising looks or elitism, but guess what...I could be totally wrong! Despite the way they look at me they might not think I’m some moronic pleb that can’t fly in a straight line and who couldn’t get into QF. So therefore I don’t make a big deal naming and shaming people for it!
How would this bloke feel if someone saw him innocently giving candy to a kid and posted “will.i.am is a paedophile” to his millions of followers. And other people “saw him” so that must make it true. That wouldn’t stand in a million years. Lawsuits left right and centre.
I’m not a huge fan of the stereotypical QF “dragon” FAs. Sometimes I have to pax in uniform due tight timing etc, I often get what I perceive to be patronising looks or elitism, but guess what...I could be totally wrong! Despite the way they look at me they might not think I’m some moronic pleb that can’t fly in a straight line and who couldn’t get into QF. So therefore I don’t make a big deal naming and shaming people for it!
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Nothing to do with being black.
People in the music industry and entertainment generally are a pain in the butt. They seem to think the rules don’t apply to them.
As a operating Captain I’ll back the FA every time.
People in the music industry and entertainment generally are a pain in the butt. They seem to think the rules don’t apply to them.
As a operating Captain I’ll back the FA every time.
If, as reported, the incident occurred in flight and the police met them on arrival, how would the FA have called them? How would the captain not have been involved?
So a member of the cabin crew properly carrying out her duty for the safety of all passengers is suddenly racist because she has to deal with people who are of a different colour?
Alternatively, as I pointed out to semi black female friend in the US who insists that it scares her walking in public because she is likely to be shot by Police, if innocent black people are shot that often - why are there so many left?
I find the US obsession with colour bizarre, extraordinary and totally out of place in the 21st Century. Didn't that stuff get put to bed nearly a hundred years ago?? If I meet Fred and Fred is a card carrying violent idiot, then he is a card carrying violent idiot who _might_ be yellow, green, white, black or pink. Wee Napoleon might be a thieving incompetent Irishman, but that doesn't make all Irshmen thieving and incompetent.
If the F/A had been male would William have reacted the same way? I would think given his musical genre that what occurred was that his misogyny was given an outlet. After all he is a male and she is female so what else would explain his naming and shaming of her on social media?
But some Captains will ALWAYS back their FA's (see above) even if the FA is extremely wrong - this blind support is very unprofessional, much like the days a FO could/would never question a Captain (that cost many lives).
A Captain should make informed decisions not back his mates/friends.
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Seems this was the same CSM who was involved in the 'Veronicas' fiasco @ https://www.news.com.au/entertainmen...940e56ca587fa7
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So, Bend a lot, you’ve done this often? I have. It goes like this:
Excuse me Captain ,we have a problem in the cabin.
Can you handle it? How serious is it?
No, its ok . Just a pain in the butt Rapper with inflated opinion of himself. If he keeps it up we might need the Feds at the other end.
No worries. Will do. Let me know how your going.
No “mate/friends” , just another day at the office dealing with general public.
You back the FA’s because they are your interface with the punters. And they have been around the block a few times and have seen it all before.
Then it gets to the media..........Lord save us...........
Excuse me Captain ,we have a problem in the cabin.
Can you handle it? How serious is it?
No, its ok . Just a pain in the butt Rapper with inflated opinion of himself. If he keeps it up we might need the Feds at the other end.
No worries. Will do. Let me know how your going.
No “mate/friends” , just another day at the office dealing with general public.
You back the FA’s because they are your interface with the punters. And they have been around the block a few times and have seen it all before.
Then it gets to the media..........Lord save us...........
Seems this was the same CSM who was involved in the 'Veronicas' fiasco @ https://www.news.com.au/entertainmen...940e56ca587fa7
So, Bend a lot, you’ve done this often? I have. It goes like this:
Excuse me Captain ,we have a problem in the cabin.
Can you handle it? How serious is it?
No, its ok . Just a pain in the butt Rapper with inflated opinion of himself. If he keeps it up we might need the Feds at the other end.
No worries. Will do. Let me know how your going.
No “mate/friends” , just another day at the office dealing with general public.
You back the FA’s because they are your interface with the punters. And they have been around the block a few times and have seen it all before.
Then it gets to the media..........Lord save us...........
Excuse me Captain ,we have a problem in the cabin.
Can you handle it? How serious is it?
No, its ok . Just a pain in the butt Rapper with inflated opinion of himself. If he keeps it up we might need the Feds at the other end.
No worries. Will do. Let me know how your going.
No “mate/friends” , just another day at the office dealing with general public.
You back the FA’s because they are your interface with the punters. And they have been around the block a few times and have seen it all before.
Then it gets to the media..........Lord save us...........
Now what if your FA is fatigued/PMS and is anti American - you simply do not know what is happening behind you or what has happened.
Calling the FEDS's on what played out seems in hindsight to have been wrong - they seemed to have no interest in the issue (no charge no warning - nothing).
Simply believing one crew member story and having ZERO consideration for any other possibilities - sounds like Boeing and the FAA to me "Blind and Stubborn", this is how we always do this.
Time to introduce a FED's call out fee (for company or customer whoever is at fault) and a nuisance penalty for the caller such as calling 000 when it is not an emergency.
Before yo bark it was 20 minutes into the flight it was reported to happen - plenty of time to evaluate and confirm, as any professional should.
In years gone by Captains were on the extreme of respected people and professions, every kid looked up to them. They greeted passengers on entry, they frequented the cabins with brief chats and earned respect by looking after ALL aboard. Should a Catain or any member of the flight crew be required to address a passenger for bad behaviour it was the ultimate in a dressing down.
Now they simply do not even bother to exit the cabin for any reason that could earn them respect (confirm any customer issues), that led us to the term SLF used prolifically and proudly by many Captains that lazily just take a FA's word regardless of fact.
When is the last time you took the time to walk to the back of the aircraft to speak with passengers, crew, inspect the food and alcohol service (for legal requirements) and inspect the toilets during a flight?
Not my job will be the answer from many - actually it is!
FA - Hey Captain I had a problem with a passenger in 2A, he ............. I ..........
Captain - Ok is it over?
FA - Yes/No
Captain - (Yes answer) ok report back if that changes. (No answer) ok I will send the FO to have a chat with him (and get others story of event/s) please stay here with me.
FO - returns - No real drama, possibly a bit of ego verses long days.
Captain - ok shall we let FA "x" deal with him for the rest of flight. Or some other constructive outcome.
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Beat me to it - Blind Faith.
Now what if your FA is fatigued/PMS and is anti American - you simply do not know what is happening behind you or what has happened.
Calling the FEDS's on what played out seems in hindsight to have been wrong - they seemed to have no interest in the issue (no charge no warning - nothing).
Simply believing one crew member story and having ZERO consideration for any other possibilities - sounds like Boeing and the FAA to me "Blind and Stubborn", this is how we always do this.
Time to introduce a FED's call out fee (for company or customer whoever is at fault) and a nuisance penalty for the caller such as calling 000 when it is not an emergency.
Before yo bark it was 20 minutes into the flight it was reported to happen - plenty of time to evaluate and confirm, as any professional should.
In years gone by Captains were on the extreme of respected people and professions, every kid looked up to them. They greeted passengers on entry, they frequented the cabins with brief chats and earned respect by looking after ALL aboard. Should a Catain or any member of the flight crew be required to address a passenger for bad behaviour it was the ultimate in a dressing down.
Now they simply do not even bother to exit the cabin for any reason that could earn them respect (confirm any customer issues), that led us to the term SLF used prolifically and proudly by many Captains that lazily just take a FA's word regardless of fact.
When is the last time you took the time to walk to the back of the aircraft to speak with passengers, crew, inspect the food and alcohol service (for legal requirements) and inspect the toilets during a flight?
Not my job will be the answer from many - actually it is!
FA - Hey Captain I had a problem with a passenger in 2A, he ............. I ..........
Captain - Ok is it over?
FA - Yes/No
Captain - (Yes answer) ok report back if that changes. (No answer) ok I will send the FO to have a chat with him (and get others story of event/s) please stay here with me.
FO - returns - No real drama, possibly a bit of ego verses long days.
Captain - ok shall we let FA "x" deal with him for the rest of flight. Or some other constructive outcome.
Now what if your FA is fatigued/PMS and is anti American - you simply do not know what is happening behind you or what has happened.
Calling the FEDS's on what played out seems in hindsight to have been wrong - they seemed to have no interest in the issue (no charge no warning - nothing).
Simply believing one crew member story and having ZERO consideration for any other possibilities - sounds like Boeing and the FAA to me "Blind and Stubborn", this is how we always do this.
Time to introduce a FED's call out fee (for company or customer whoever is at fault) and a nuisance penalty for the caller such as calling 000 when it is not an emergency.
Before yo bark it was 20 minutes into the flight it was reported to happen - plenty of time to evaluate and confirm, as any professional should.
In years gone by Captains were on the extreme of respected people and professions, every kid looked up to them. They greeted passengers on entry, they frequented the cabins with brief chats and earned respect by looking after ALL aboard. Should a Catain or any member of the flight crew be required to address a passenger for bad behaviour it was the ultimate in a dressing down.
Now they simply do not even bother to exit the cabin for any reason that could earn them respect (confirm any customer issues), that led us to the term SLF used prolifically and proudly by many Captains that lazily just take a FA's word regardless of fact.
When is the last time you took the time to walk to the back of the aircraft to speak with passengers, crew, inspect the food and alcohol service (for legal requirements) and inspect the toilets during a flight?
Not my job will be the answer from many - actually it is!
FA - Hey Captain I had a problem with a passenger in 2A, he ............. I ..........
Captain - Ok is it over?
FA - Yes/No
Captain - (Yes answer) ok report back if that changes. (No answer) ok I will send the FO to have a chat with him (and get others story of event/s) please stay here with me.
FO - returns - No real drama, possibly a bit of ego verses long days.
Captain - ok shall we let FA "x" deal with him for the rest of flight. Or some other constructive outcome.
sorry, I’m still laughing at the thought of a Captain inspecting the alcholol service. That’s a belter
When is the last time you took the time to walk to the back of the aircraft to speak with passengers, crew, inspect the food and alcohol service (for legal requirements) and inspect the toilets during a flight?
Police, bar managers, Airline Captains etc will all differ as individuals as to how they apply the legislation. I reckon Will I am just came across someone who applied the rules hard and fast and was not going to muck around with third or fourth chances to comply with crew instructions. It’s also not unthinkable that the crew member was under stress and over reacted. Who knows? Probably no one on this forum.
It’s tricky as a Captain, I started off just backing the crew and after a few years had one situation where, if I could go back in time, I would have played a cooler hand. Since then, I’m a little more judicious around these events and give quite clear instructions about de escalating the situation and changing which crew member is dealing with the difficult pax etc.
Edited to add; strangely enough, my first ever disruptive pax ( departing Brisbane) as a Captain was also a mega famous American rapper although he was from the first generation of rap super stars and started disrupting business class before we even pushed back.
