Chuck Yeager Sues Virgin Airlines

Courthouse News Service ^ | Wednesday, December 30, 2009 | DAVE TARTRE

[malkee]

I saw Yeager 23 24 years ago when they named an airport after him in Charleston West Virginia. No mention of what they paid him for that. Times have changed, I guess.

[Liberty Valance]

[valkyry1]

The way it was written he might not have much of case, however Virgin America will probably pay him off out of court.

[Paleo Conservative]

Happy New Year!

If you want on or off this aerospace ping list, please contact Paleo Conservative or phantomworker by Freep mail.

[blackbart.223]

"I saw Yeager 23 24 years ago when they named an airport after him in Charleston West Virginia. No mention of what they paid him for that. Times have changed, I guess."

If that is a slam at General Yeager then shame on you. As an ex pilot I admire his guts breaking the sound barrier. What have you ever done that is worth mention?

[blackbart.223]

The man is and was a hero. Not many would have the nerve to do what he did.

[malkee]

Well, first off, I was at the ceremony where Chuck Yeager appeared when the airport was named after him. How about you?

Why do so many people on FR interpret a simple remark as a slam? I said nothing to slam him. I simply said there was no mention of any naming rights back then, and that times have changed.

[MediaMole]

Because there is a huge difference between being honored by his home state naming an airport after him and a commercial airline using his name in promotional materials without permission.

You implied that Gen. Yeager would make his home state pay him to honor him by naming an airport after him. That is an insult.

[al baby]

Yeager is a cross dresser

[malkee]

An airport is still a commercial operation. And maybe I’m cynical, but I’m not so sure the “naming rights” would be free today. You’re free to disagree.

[blackbart.223]

"Why do so many people on FR interpret a simple remark as a slam? I said nothing to slam him. I simply said there was no mention of any naming rights back then, and that times have changed."

I try never to jump the gun. But the context of your comments looked like slam to me. If I misunderstood then I apologize. By the way I used to live three houses down from Pancho Barnes. I never really got a chance to know her and that is my loss.

[dead]

I love Yeager, but this is a pretty weak suit.

When you're famous, you don't have the right to say your name can't ever be mentioned.

Bill Clinton. Evel Kneivel. Jimmy J.J. Walker. Chet Atkins. Guy Lombardo. Albert Einstein.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I love Yeager, but this is a pretty weak suit.

I agree, however, I think the Virgin is going to be "taken".

[Political Junkie Too]

That may be true. The way this is worded, they're not saying that Yeager is endorsing the product (just that he was historic), and Yeager cannot control the reporting of news about him, past or present.

-PJ

[blackbart.223]

"When you're famous, you don't have the right to say your name can't ever be mentioned."

That is not the issue.

[Tolsti2]

Is he sold old that $ still matters? There’s a nice 80’s video of his flght sim game on archive.org.

I guess he’s looking out for his heirs, but dang.

[The Duke]

Yeager is a cross dresser

You mean to tell me that in secret he wears Army uniforms???!!! :O

The Horror!!!

[flash2368]

He does deserve an ego, but I think he did himself more bad PR by filing the suit than if will be worth. Case looks very weak to me. Heading into cranky old man in the twilight years, which does not diminish what he did.

[eyedigress]

Good. The man risked his life countless times to reach his status. You cannot walk in and take that risk.