Delta bans pro-Trump passenger for life
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Delta Air Lines is banning for life a passenger who rudely professed his support for Republican President-elect Donald Trump and insulted those who didn't on a flight to Pennsylvania.
CEO Edward Bastian says in an internal memo dated Monday that the airline is also refunding the cost of tickets for other passengers on the Nov. 22 flight from Atlanta to Allentown.
A video posted on Facebook by a passenger shows a man standing in the aisle, yelling and insulting supporters of Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The man asks loudly: "We got some Hillary bitches on here?"
Referring to Trump's victory, he says: "If you don't like it, too bad."
The Atlanta-based airline had previously apologized over it, and Bastian says the passenger shouldn't have been allowed to remain on the flight.
Bastian’s full Monday memo:
Date: November 28, 2016
To: Delta Colleagues Worldwide
From: Ed Bastian
Subject: Disruptive Passenger on DL248
Thank you for the amazing job you did running our operation and taking care of our customers during the busy Thanksgiving holiday. At Delta, we strive to deliver a safe and reliable product while providing a customer experience that is second to none. You come to work every day prepared to serve our customers and to take care of each other while also dealing with the unexpected.
As you may have heard by now, last week a video began circulating around the internet showing a disruptive passenger on board a Delta flight. This individual displayed behavior that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers. After questioning the customer, our team members made the best decision they could given the information they had and allowed him to remain on the flight. However, if our colleagues had witnessed firsthand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft. He will never again be allowed on a Delta plane.
Part of being a reliable travel partner and a servant leader is acknowledging our mistakes so we can learn from them and respond more effectively in the future. Delta has apologized to the customers onboard that flight. We are also refunding those customers the cost of their tickets.
I also want to make sure all of you know we have your backs. The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities. We must stay true to Delta’s core values and treat one another with dignity and respect. We also must remain committed more than ever to the safety of our customers and our crew members. We will not tolerate anything less.
Again, thank you for all you do.