This happened to my son on the way home from the Holiday Bowl. Here is the letter that I sent to American Airlines.
To whom it may concern:
On December 30th flight 2458 from Los Angeles to DFW, my son had a terrible encounter with one of your flight attendants. Her name badge read Victoria. Her unprofessional behavior towards my son started out with an insult of his intelligence. As she was explaining the procedures and responsibilities of sitting in the exit row, she notice my Texas A&M football apparel, gestured towards my son and said, “If you are unable to read the exit procedures, another passenger can help you.” This was directed as an Aggie joke and Joshua laughed along with the other passengers. There is a long standing ritual of Aggie jokes and he was not offended by this remark. As she was leaving the area my son continued the lightheartedness by saying to Victoria, “Don’t worry your life is in good hands with an Aggie.” She then turned to Joshua and said “THAT’S WHAT IM AFRAID OF, YOU CAN’T EVEN BUILD A BONFIRE RIGHT,” and walked off. Shocked and deeply upset my son decided to keep his mouth shut because he did not want to incite any other hateful remarks towards himself or his Aggie family.
In order for you to understand why this remark offended him so deeply, some background about this event is appropriate. Starting in 1909, Texas A&M University students worked together each year to build a massive bonfire. This annual tradition continued and eventually came under the leadership of the Aggie Bonfire Committee until 1999. On November 18, 1999, the bonfire tragically collapsed killing 12 of our brothers and sisters and injuring 27 others. This devastated every current and former Aggie because we are a family.
My son is an Aggie football player and proudly wears maroon and white. Victoria’s conduct should certainly be an embarrassment and unbecoming of anyone wearing a uniform for American Airlines. Victoria belittled a paying customer. Victoria is an employee of American Airlines. Therefore I must assume as a representative of your airline, this is how you want your customers to be treated. I feel that employees of American Airlines should be taught never to take any situation involving death so insensitively; such as making a remark towards any family member of those killed on 9/11. I am not only asking for an apology, I am demanding one from this flight attendant and American Airlines as well an assurance that she will never do this again!
For years I have had nothing but the deepest admiration for American Airlines, now I am appalled. Your insults and disrespect of Aggies world-wide will be known from coast to coast. I will do everything within my power to let everyone know American Airlines’ views on Aggies. This letter will be forwarded to the 12th man foundation, the Association of Former Students, TexAgs.com, and every outlet of media exposure possible within 10 days.
[This message has been edited by ChiefRussell (edited 1/3/2007 3:30p).]
[This message has been edited by ChiefRussell (edited 1/3/2007 3:43p).]
To whom it may concern:
On December 30th flight 2458 from Los Angeles to DFW, my son had a terrible encounter with one of your flight attendants. Her name badge read Victoria. Her unprofessional behavior towards my son started out with an insult of his intelligence. As she was explaining the procedures and responsibilities of sitting in the exit row, she notice my Texas A&M football apparel, gestured towards my son and said, “If you are unable to read the exit procedures, another passenger can help you.” This was directed as an Aggie joke and Joshua laughed along with the other passengers. There is a long standing ritual of Aggie jokes and he was not offended by this remark. As she was leaving the area my son continued the lightheartedness by saying to Victoria, “Don’t worry your life is in good hands with an Aggie.” She then turned to Joshua and said “THAT’S WHAT IM AFRAID OF, YOU CAN’T EVEN BUILD A BONFIRE RIGHT,” and walked off. Shocked and deeply upset my son decided to keep his mouth shut because he did not want to incite any other hateful remarks towards himself or his Aggie family.
In order for you to understand why this remark offended him so deeply, some background about this event is appropriate. Starting in 1909, Texas A&M University students worked together each year to build a massive bonfire. This annual tradition continued and eventually came under the leadership of the Aggie Bonfire Committee until 1999. On November 18, 1999, the bonfire tragically collapsed killing 12 of our brothers and sisters and injuring 27 others. This devastated every current and former Aggie because we are a family.
My son is an Aggie football player and proudly wears maroon and white. Victoria’s conduct should certainly be an embarrassment and unbecoming of anyone wearing a uniform for American Airlines. Victoria belittled a paying customer. Victoria is an employee of American Airlines. Therefore I must assume as a representative of your airline, this is how you want your customers to be treated. I feel that employees of American Airlines should be taught never to take any situation involving death so insensitively; such as making a remark towards any family member of those killed on 9/11. I am not only asking for an apology, I am demanding one from this flight attendant and American Airlines as well an assurance that she will never do this again!
For years I have had nothing but the deepest admiration for American Airlines, now I am appalled. Your insults and disrespect of Aggies world-wide will be known from coast to coast. I will do everything within my power to let everyone know American Airlines’ views on Aggies. This letter will be forwarded to the 12th man foundation, the Association of Former Students, TexAgs.com, and every outlet of media exposure possible within 10 days.
[This message has been edited by ChiefRussell (edited 1/3/2007 3:30p).]
[This message has been edited by ChiefRussell (edited 1/3/2007 3:43p).]