Posted on 10/10/2014 10:58:04 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
US Airways has sparked outrage after a flight attendant allegedly refused to hang up an Army Ranger and combat veteran's jacket to stop it from creasing.
First Sargent Albert Marle was wearing a jacket lined with medals when he boarded Flight 1930 from Portland, Oregon, to Charlotte, North Carolina, yesterday.
But when he asked an attendant to hang up his 'Dress Blues' uniform, she reportedly refused, saying the coat closet was for first-class passengers only and he was seated in coach.
'Her response wasn't that there's not space in the coat closet or "I've hung too many jackets up",' said Brian Kirby, a first-class passenger on the four-hour flight.
'It was just simply,"Our airline policy says I'm not going to do it, so I'm not going to do it." I was really appalled at not only the way she looked at him but the way she spoke to him - in an angry way.'
Shocked first-class fliers then offered their seats to Sgt Marle, but the decorated soldier politely declined their offers and remained seated in coach, passengers told WSOC TV in Charlotte.
Some even claimed the flight attendant shouted at fliers who tried to ask other attendants to hang up Sgt Marle's decorated jacket to prevent it from wrinkling.
Amid the chaos, passenger Jon Dahlberg took it upon himself to take the item of clothing from 'humble' Sgt Marle, before hanging it behind his own seat, according to reports.
'I walked back up and hung the jacket simply behind my seat. There’s a difference between policy and doing what is right,' said Mr Dahlberg.
After passengers spread word of the incident online, it quickly went viral, with thousands of social media users condemning the airline for its 'shameful' behavior toward Sgt Marle.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Looking at the picture I think the proper rank is Sgt. Major
I was on a Delta Connection non-stop flight a couple of years ago between Des Moines and Washington (DCA). The commandant of the Iowa State Patrol was seated in the first row of coach, and had a garment bag with him presumably containing his formal dress uniform (there were ceremonies in DC for state and municipal policemen who had lost their lives in the line of duty). The flight attendant graciously offered to hang the garment bag in the front closet.
Difference in corporate culture between airlines.
He should have demanded to speak to the Capt. Most are Ex military and would have reamed that Stew a New one.
If I were in first class, I would have asked him to give me his jacket. Then turn right around and ask the stewardess to hang my jacket. If she gave me an argument, I would say “bullsh**, he just gave it to me. It is now my jacket and I want it hung according to my first class privileges. If you are going to refuse, I want to speak to the Captain” ( since many of the pilots are former military, I have a feeling what the answer would be )
From other sources, he appears to be in the National Guard now. I've never known anybody in the military or retired military that went to a civilian job interview in their uniform. Must have changed the regulations, since I retired about 20 years ago.
Huh?
Unless they have the ability? He wanted to hang his jacket, not park a humvee in the cargo compartment.
Because giving special perks to your best customers is something successful businesses do.
1st Sergeant.
See my post #28.
This soldier has devoted at least 20 years to his country and obviously done very well, judging by his awards and decorations. His service helped keep this country free and allowed the less manly among us to continue to sip our lattes in safety. Which would include those of you who reside in Canada, since a strong US armed forces allows our neighbors to the North to have a tiny armed force and still stay safe. Nice, huh?
That "jacket" he is wearing has a ribbon bar and several pinned badges which are easily damaged/lost if treated roughly (like jamming into an overhead compartment). It was entirely reasonable for him to ask to have his uniform coat hung in the hanger stowage area - which by the way usually isn't just a First Class perk, but available to all passengers on most airlines.
The flight attendant was apparently unnecessarily discourteous. Those of us who have served don't expect special treatment but occasionally we do get special treatment while we are traveling in uniform. The rub in this instance is that this NCO received disrespectful treatment.
Even a non-serving foreigner should understand that, right?
When I was was in my Marine Corps Dress Blues flying back in the 90s flight attendants and passengers would go out of their way to show me respect. On multiple occassions flight attendants would not.let me pay for my drinks and on one occassion a flight attendant moved me to first class. They were always wonderful to me.
This is NOT a criticism but why were you flying in your Dress Blues?
.
Again, why do we read about this kind of stuff in a foreign newspaper? I guess it just doesn’t fit American news meme because the story looks favorably upon the Soldier.
On one occassion enroute to a funeral.
Thanks.
.
:-) no FRiend
NP it should have said
You deserve it.
Hanging his jacket involves no special risks or dangers.
Usually First Class gets their jackets hung and if room allows, some coach jackets may also be hung. It is not a flight safety issue. It is a common-sense and polite issue.
The stewardess behaved badly.
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