AA Pilot Gives 'Come to Jesus' PA
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AA Pilot Gives 'Come to Jesus' PA
Maybe he should have picked the DFW to ATL flight...
What would Mel Gibson have done <g>?
_______________________________________
Pilot suggested passengers discuss Christianity during LA-to-
New York flight
Saturday, February 7, 2004
(02-07) 18:18 PST NEW YORK (AP) --
An American Airlines pilot flying passengers from Los Angeles to New York asked Christians on board to identify themselves and then suggested that non-Christian passengers discuss the faith with them, the airline confirmed Saturday.
The pilot, whose identity was not released, had been making flight announcements before he asked that the Christians on board raise their hands, said American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner.
Wagner said the pilot told airline officials he then suggested the other passengers use the flight time to talk to the Christians about their faith.
The pilot later told passengers he himself would be available at the end of the flight to talk about his first announcement.
Wagner said the airline was investigating the incident.
"It falls along the lines of a personal level of sharing that may not be appropriate for one of our employees to do while on the job," he said.
The pilot had just returned to work from a weeklong mission trip to Costa Rica, Wagner said.
What would Mel Gibson have done <g>?
_______________________________________
Pilot suggested passengers discuss Christianity during LA-to-
New York flight
Saturday, February 7, 2004
(02-07) 18:18 PST NEW YORK (AP) --
An American Airlines pilot flying passengers from Los Angeles to New York asked Christians on board to identify themselves and then suggested that non-Christian passengers discuss the faith with them, the airline confirmed Saturday.
The pilot, whose identity was not released, had been making flight announcements before he asked that the Christians on board raise their hands, said American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner.
Wagner said the pilot told airline officials he then suggested the other passengers use the flight time to talk to the Christians about their faith.
The pilot later told passengers he himself would be available at the end of the flight to talk about his first announcement.
Wagner said the airline was investigating the incident.
"It falls along the lines of a personal level of sharing that may not be appropriate for one of our employees to do while on the job," he said.
The pilot had just returned to work from a weeklong mission trip to Costa Rica, Wagner said.
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Why are we not surprised?
AA....at it again. Good grief.
Having said this, at least not heading for the hills (ala Cali), or running off the end (ala Littlerock)...not to mention the A300-600....
And, for those that think I am being meanspirited, just look at the AA record.
With guys like this working for them, no wonder they have problems.
AA....at it again. Good grief.
Having said this, at least not heading for the hills (ala Cali), or running off the end (ala Littlerock)...not to mention the A300-600....
And, for those that think I am being meanspirited, just look at the AA record.
With guys like this working for them, no wonder they have problems.
Ohcirrej
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The pilot later told passengers he himself would be available at the end of the flight to talk about his first announcement.
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Why doesn’t anybody complaint when you hear the prayer on the PA in Saudia flights?????
Why doesn’t anybody complaint when you see the capt going for prayer in the middle of the departure ?????
I know, fundamentalist are bad in every sense, but …. Let the poor guy express himself … at the end is our religion … or NOT????
May God bless this man.
Why doesn’t anybody complaint when you see the capt going for prayer in the middle of the departure ?????
I know, fundamentalist are bad in every sense, but …. Let the poor guy express himself … at the end is our religion … or NOT????
May God bless this man.
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Pilocol
Totally agree with you.
We are coming to some very interesting times, very soon I think. Better become a Christian.
As GW has said, we must all come down on one side of the fence, or the other. There are no in-betweens.
Are you going to choose between a religion or society that closes it's doors to the infidel or the one with the "wrong" hand shake, or the Lord Jesus Christ?
I know which I have chosen. His doors are open to all and no secrecy involved.
Totally agree with you.
We are coming to some very interesting times, very soon I think. Better become a Christian.
As GW has said, we must all come down on one side of the fence, or the other. There are no in-betweens.
Are you going to choose between a religion or society that closes it's doors to the infidel or the one with the "wrong" hand shake, or the Lord Jesus Christ?
I know which I have chosen. His doors are open to all and no secrecy involved.
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Pilocol
Whilst I respect your right to practice whichever religion you choose, there are occasions that it is not appropriate to make these kinds of statements. I feel that by doing this on the flight, the Captain may have caused unnecessary emotional discomfort to some passengers.
I have no problem with the Captain saying a prayer (to himself) on behalf of himself, his crew and his passengers; I do that with my family before we travel.
Regarding the Saudi flight(s); anyone traveling to or from Saudi Arabia will (should) be fully aware of the very public demonstration of faith/religion that exists there. You cannot go there on holiday, only business, work or reside so you should be fully aware of this.
I am living and working in the Middle East, and prayers like this are made on behalf of all, they are not asking you to identify yourself as the member one or another faith.
I am reminded of the persecution of the Jews in WWII and cannot stop myself from thinking that there may have been some worried people on that flight.
Just in case someone says "freedom of speech" I don't think that that applies to professional (public service) positions.
Invictus
Why doesn’t anybody complaint when you hear the prayer on the PA in Saudia flights?????
I know, fundamentalist are bad in every sense, but …. Let the poor guy express himself … at the end is our religion … or NOT????
May God bless this man.
I know, fundamentalist are bad in every sense, but …. Let the poor guy express himself … at the end is our religion … or NOT????
May God bless this man.
I have no problem with the Captain saying a prayer (to himself) on behalf of himself, his crew and his passengers; I do that with my family before we travel.
Regarding the Saudi flight(s); anyone traveling to or from Saudi Arabia will (should) be fully aware of the very public demonstration of faith/religion that exists there. You cannot go there on holiday, only business, work or reside so you should be fully aware of this.
I am living and working in the Middle East, and prayers like this are made on behalf of all, they are not asking you to identify yourself as the member one or another faith.
I am reminded of the persecution of the Jews in WWII and cannot stop myself from thinking that there may have been some worried people on that flight.
Just in case someone says "freedom of speech" I don't think that that applies to professional (public service) positions.
Invictus
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Oh crumbs 
In some ways I admire this pilot for having the courage of his convictions & sticking his neck on the block to spread his beliefs but on the other hand I'm surprised by his lack of professionalism. I'm just thinking oif my bosses reaction if I started to convert customers when doing my job, I'd get the boot very quick, even though he's a committed Christian & fairly open about expressing his beliefs.
Christianity preaches or brainwashes (depending on your perspective) that you're doing a service to society if you go out & preach 'the good news & the "truth"' so no doubt the captain felt he was justified in being a good, brave, unashamed Christain. Trouble is there's no guarantee in what he's been brainwashed with is the truth so one's on dangerous ground if they start trying to force it on customers when doing ones job.
There's a time & place for everything, IMHO this was neither the time or place for this type of behaviour though I still have a sneaking admiration for the man's brave if foolhardy & biased behaviour.
In some ways I admire this pilot for having the courage of his convictions & sticking his neck on the block to spread his beliefs but on the other hand I'm surprised by his lack of professionalism. I'm just thinking oif my bosses reaction if I started to convert customers when doing my job, I'd get the boot very quick, even though he's a committed Christian & fairly open about expressing his beliefs.
Christianity preaches or brainwashes (depending on your perspective) that you're doing a service to society if you go out & preach 'the good news & the "truth"' so no doubt the captain felt he was justified in being a good, brave, unashamed Christain. Trouble is there's no guarantee in what he's been brainwashed with is the truth so one's on dangerous ground if they start trying to force it on customers when doing ones job.
There's a time & place for everything, IMHO this was neither the time or place for this type of behaviour though I still have a sneaking admiration for the man's brave if foolhardy & biased behaviour.
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The issue is not his religion but his inappropriate use of the aircraft cabin, where he has an entirely different role, to evangelise, possibly to the embarrassment or discomfort of others, Christians and other faiths alike.
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Firstly, isn't the point here that the PA was used at a captive audience, who have no choice but to listen. Should the same speech be made on a street corner, then we would all be free to walk away and ignore him, or stay and listen, as our choice dictates. That option was not available to those passengers.
Secondly, the subject matter is inappropriate for the situation. If the Captain has the right to concern himself publicly in these matters in this location, then I, as Cabin Crew, may choose to exercise the same right on the PA and seek to identify Democrats, Masochists and Anal sex practitioners, or to promote Satanism as a viable lifestyle alternative. I don't do this because (in western societies at least) this kind of zealotry is not part of mainstream life and is regarded by a substantial proportion of citizens as offensive or an infringment of their rights - also I'd get fired!.
Thirdly, the situation demonstrates a considerable lack of good judgement by the pilot involved. Nervous passengers might reasonably begin to question the quality of his judgement in other areas related to flying and become uncomfortable about putting their lives in his hands.
I'll be fascinated to see where this one goes. Initially, it will no doubt attract comment from all the various religous fanatics that the world has to suffer, and I'm sure someone somewhere will create a defense that waves the (soiled) flag of religous freedom and the right to free speech - where we go from there will be interesting!
Secondly, the subject matter is inappropriate for the situation. If the Captain has the right to concern himself publicly in these matters in this location, then I, as Cabin Crew, may choose to exercise the same right on the PA and seek to identify Democrats, Masochists and Anal sex practitioners, or to promote Satanism as a viable lifestyle alternative. I don't do this because (in western societies at least) this kind of zealotry is not part of mainstream life and is regarded by a substantial proportion of citizens as offensive or an infringment of their rights - also I'd get fired!.
Thirdly, the situation demonstrates a considerable lack of good judgement by the pilot involved. Nervous passengers might reasonably begin to question the quality of his judgement in other areas related to flying and become uncomfortable about putting their lives in his hands.
I'll be fascinated to see where this one goes. Initially, it will no doubt attract comment from all the various religous fanatics that the world has to suffer, and I'm sure someone somewhere will create a defense that waves the (soiled) flag of religous freedom and the right to free speech - where we go from there will be interesting!
TightSlot
Very well said. It IS worrying when someone takes as his/her personal mission to promote his/her life style over a captive audience.
In a related side I hope/wander if a pax would sue AA over emotional distress caused by the announcements.
Regarding the comparaison with Saudia a short commnet: the USA is meant to be a country with no official religion while Saudia ... operates on a different set of rules that has to be respected by visitors and foreign residing in the Kingdom. If you don't like them you leave.
Rwy in Sight
Very well said. It IS worrying when someone takes as his/her personal mission to promote his/her life style over a captive audience.
In a related side I hope/wander if a pax would sue AA over emotional distress caused by the announcements.
Regarding the comparaison with Saudia a short commnet: the USA is meant to be a country with no official religion while Saudia ... operates on a different set of rules that has to be respected by visitors and foreign residing in the Kingdom. If you don't like them you leave.
Rwy in Sight
Ohcirrej
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As has been mentioned here, the pilot could have made his comment about Christianity, Hiduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judasim........the religion is not the point.
You don't go to your church, temple, synagogue, or wherever to hear "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. Kindly fasten your seatbelts.............."
You don't go to your church, temple, synagogue, or wherever to hear "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. Kindly fasten your seatbelts.............."
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Well, I'm a Christian, and I do agree that what this guy did was a little unprofessional. Invictus, you said that the comments made may have caused emmotional discomfort, if you were on a Saudi flight and you heard prayers on the PA, then that is there religion and their culture. What's the big deal if you hear a Christian prayer over the PA on a flight in a Christian country? What's the difference?
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The big deal is that America is a SECULAR country, respecting ALL religions and belief systems EQUALLY. It is NOT a Christian country. And I would NEVER let it become one. Clear?
Well, I'm a Christian, and I do agree that what this guy did was a little unprofessional. Invictus, you said that the comments made may have caused emmotional discomfort, if you were on a Saudi flight and you heard prayers on the PA, then that is there religion and their culture. What's the big deal if you hear a Christian prayer over the PA on a flight in a Christian country? What's the difference?
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The big deal is that America is a SECULAR country, respecting ALL religions and belief systems EQUALLY. It is NOT a Christian country. And I would NEVER let it become one. Clear?
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Flew with a F/E years ago who went around putting 'Jesus loves you' stickers on everyone's flight bag and around the flight deck. He wasn't around long after that.
An F/O in once earnestly remarked that whatever happens after an engine failure it is the will of God - the Captain told him equally earnestly that it was the will of crew reactions and SOP. He didn't last long either.
An F/O in once earnestly remarked that whatever happens after an engine failure it is the will of God - the Captain told him equally earnestly that it was the will of crew reactions and SOP. He didn't last long either.