A Frontier Airlines passenger took to social media to complain about a pilot on board flight 3212 on Monday wearing a Trump cap while taking them from Los Angeles to Dallas – Fort Worth. This is generally not allowed and the photo is going viral across various social media platforms.
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Pilots tend to skew conservative. A few years ago they were making announcements “Let’s Go Brandon” and that made it into air traffic control chatter too.
Unfortunately, Airlines Get Political All The Time
One commenter, obviously with a differing political viewpoint than the pilot, suggests that “He probably assumes that all his passengers agree with him, because you don’t fly Frontier unless you’re a terrible decision maker.”
It’s certainly not only Frontier, though, where cabin crew make political statements with the backing of the airline. United had stood by cabin crew wearing a Palestinian flag pin and keffiyeh lanyard, going through backflips to justify it against uniform standards that wouldn’t allow it, calling the flag pin a ‘language pin’.
And a United pilot who celebrated murder and rape by Hamas on October 7th and was suspended with pay once called out on social media apparently still flies for the carrier, based on a review of their social media.
United, of course, involves itself in political issues having little to do with aviation – for instance asking California voters to support affirmative action.
Former American Airlines CEO Doug Parker replaced his wristband that said CECFTM (“Create an Environment that Cares for our Frontline Team Members”) with a Black Lives Matter wristband in May 2020.
More broadly, though, airlines are intertwined with governments and virtually everything they do becomes political. Airlines frequently operate routes for political rather than economic reasons, whether it’s Qatar, Emirates, Etihad and Saudia all flying to Washington, D.C. or American Airlines explicitly agreeing to continue air service during the pandemic to a small city in exchange for their local representative in Congress supporting continued airline subsidies.
Airports in the U.S. are largely owned by governments, and security screening and air traffic control are carried out by (and not merely regulated by) government. There’s very little in aviation untouched by politics.
This Isn’t An Issue Of Pilot Speech
While attire like this will violate the uniform standards of almost every airline, it’s also problematic for another reason: some of you who like the message might defend it as the pilot’s ‘free speech’ but it’s also asymmetric speech. The pilot exercise command authority over the aircraft and everyone in it.
49 USC § 44902 provides broad latitude, within certain bounds laid out by the FAA, for the captain of an aircraft to refuse transportation to a passenger if they feel that passenger might be “inimical to safety.”
A pilot’s decision cannot be arbitrary or capricious – but that’s not the same as saying it has to be reasonable! It’s generally presumed that the actions of the pilot are reasonable, and judged based on facts the pilot was aware of at the time and the time constraints they’re under.
- If they’re given only one side of the story, and it’s incomplete
- And they make a decision based on that information
- And they’re in a rush to get the plane out
- That’s probably going to be fine under the law
So if the captain felt that a passenger could be a safety risk solely because they expressed political opinions in the cabin contrary to their own they might well be deemed a risk to the safety of the aircraft and there’s very little grounds for reviewing that decision.
Keep Politics Out Of The Cabin
After President Trump was elected the first time, a United Airlines pilot announced that everyone had to keep politics off the plane. Passengers cheered. No matter your feelings about silly memes or the President of the United States, there are some places where we should be left alone. Stuck in a metal tube, you can’t escape a pilot’s politics.
Other employees might complain that this created a hostile work environment.
Short answer: Yes, it crosses the line.
Long answer: Yes, and, for those who constantly complain about certain flag pins, it’s one in the same. While in-uniform and on-the-job, crew should not engage in such extra expression, especially on charged topics, like partisanship. Unless you want to start seeing a bunch of ‘watermelons,’ the answer remains that this crosses the line, and most of us know better.
Agreed: This is an issue on both sides, and the only way to permanently resolve it is to prohibit all political speech (verbal, apparel, and otherwise) from both sides of the aisle and by all members of the flight crew at all times. Full stop.
I think it’s inappropriate in the workplace. Just wondering if you would write the same article if the pilot was wearing an Obama hat? I hope you would.
It doesn’t matter who you support, airline employees should not be wearing political attire while on the job.
This employee very likely violated the employment policies of his workplace.
In another time I would have said it is fine because everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs. Now, however is a different story give the state of Mental deficiency in this Country and the fact that you never know what will trigger someone nearby. People have lost the ability to just let it be. Wearing your beliefs these days could get you killed.
I agree with 1990. Of course it upset probably every working flight attendant on that flight as the majority of them lean left. Then there are the passengers. If this was a west coast flight, probably the majority of them were upset. They will just take out their frustrations on Tesla.
This is very simple. What are the company rules regarding caps, hats, pins, and messages. If **some** political or quasi-political pins or messaging is OK, then **ALL** should be OK and Trump hats are fine. If not, then the guy should get a sit-down with his superior and warning.
This is why I think clear, definitive, and impartial rules stating NO pins, etc., is the way to go. Keep politics out of the workspace — but ALL politics, not just some.
If you are at work, you should not be making political statements (especially such visible ones) at work. No MAGA hat, no Hamas Murdering Rapist supporter flags either. Neither is appropriate.
This should not be encouraged and needs to be nipped in the bud. This should also be looked at as a possible hate crime.
Its different for left causes and politicians because one is morally correct and the other is evil. Employees should be encouraged to support worthy social and political causes.
Anyone who supports the fascists in power now should be publicly identified, banned from flying and put in prison for life.
@Coffee Please — Thanks for the vote of confidence.
In the United States, as far as the First Amendment is concerned (freedoms of speech, expression, belief, assembly, of the press, and to petition), employee dress codes within the context of their employment is a reasonable limitation as those employees are acting as agents of their employer.
However, you made a false equivalence–‘taking out frustrations on Tesla’ (as in, acts of violence or vandalism) is wrong, too, as it is a crime. Protesting within reason may be protected, but likely, it cannot involve trespassing, etc.
Some will argue that some ‘civil disobedience’ is required for ‘change,’ and one could argue this pilot wearing the hat is that–others would say the ‘watermelon’ or BLM pins are, too.
Personally, I just want to get to-and-from where I’m going on an airplane safely, efficiently, and as comfortably as possible, without harming myself or others, please.
Completely inappropriate. He should be jailed for his political beliefs and sent to a super max prison in El Salvador. Seriously though, what an epic jerk.
@Wes — I’m no fan of this administration, and I’ve said as much on here regularly, but you set up quite the strawman there. Not to ‘both-sides’ this, but neither right nor left is morally correct or incorrect as a whole. Yes, there is a paradox of intolerance, and we must be mindful of it. But, what you advocated for here, banning/imprisoning someone for their beliefs, is not a good idea for a modern rules-based society. There’s a better, more decent way. We can respectfully disagree, here and in-person, without resorting to violence or depriving anyone of their freedom or liberty.
One more reason to avoid Frontier, if they take no action on the out of uniform pilot…
One wonders what was the point of wearing the hat. Was the pilot trying to convince people to follow his political leanings, was he wanting to start some sort of problems on the plane, was he trying to upset his crew/passengers? There is no valid reason for wearing the hat and he should lose his job.
He shouldn’t wear any political hat at work. He should wear the airline hat that was issued to him.
@Coffee Please can you share a little more evidence supporting your asserting that the FAs “lean left” and would be offended by the hat?
States across the nation, and in particular GOP-leaning states, are the ones passing legislation outlawing “political” flags and paraphernalia in schools, gov’t buildings, etc. So, if a Pride flag, a BLM pin or a state of support of Palestine or Ukraine rise to the level of a “political statement” one has to imagine that a MAGA hat rises to the level of political statement and is inappropriate in the workplace.
Quite frankly, when I see people like this pilot doing this so overtly my head goes to thinking they are intentionally trying to antagonize people with different views. The pilot is entitled to his political beliefs, and he should keep them to himself when at work. His job is to fly the plane, not espouse personal opinions.
For an exciting, curated travel experience, please consider flying Delta the next time you travel.
@WES – TDS much? BTW who let’s YOU pick and choose what you think is moral and right versus “fascist (BTW work is so overused that most on the left have no idea what it really means and just use it as a slur similar to a racial word). Personally I consider BLM, Antifa, those supporting Hamas and the idiots attacking Teslas to all be terrorists who should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law and maybe police (or the military) should use lethal force to send the message.
All that being said I agree NO EMPLOYEE should ever wear anything supporting views on things that could be controversial. It is not their place to ever offend a customer (on either side) and frankly such behavior should result in immediate termination.
Don’t like the hat? Don’t look at it.
Can’t help but laugh. A uniform should be just that because the pilot looks somewhat silly in this cap ( and it wouldn’t matter what the cap said ) it’s a poor fashion choice!
I figure a uniform is a uniform, really people shouldn’t be wearing the pin or the hat.
But, a hat is more “in your face” than a pin, and furthermore pilots uniforms tend to include a hat (whether they wear it or not) so it’s like replacing a stock piece of your uniform with a replacement one, as opposed to a pin where it’s a small addition to it.
That said, although Trump is unhinged and a fascist, and nobody should support him, wearing a MAGA hat (or a pin) doesn’t reduce anyone’s piloting or flight attendent ability; and it’s not like I’m going to have to talk politics with them anyway. And as a believer in freedom of speech, if the airline decides “don’t wear the hat again”, that should be the extent of it, I don’t favor any repercussions for it.
@Parker — You presume that the right-wingers operate in ‘good faith’ when most clearly do not. They are happy to banish symbols (and people) they deem ‘other’ (or on ‘the left’). But, they do not hold themselves to that same standard. No, rather, they’d happily have their hats, flags everywhere. If they were to be genuine, I would then agree, yes, such partisan paraphernalia has no place there.
@AC — Since you had to go there (invoking the silly ‘TDS’ nonsense), I’ll remind you of the reciprocal: ODS, which sounds like ‘odious.’ Yes, for #44, which so-many on ‘the right’ couldn’t handle (a half-black man as President! *gasp*). Again, let’s try to dial down the outrage here. Those vandalizing are not terrorists; but, they are committing crimes, so prosecute them for those particular crimes, in accordance with the law and provide them their due process (5th Amendment). C’mon folks, resist the urge to go on witch hunts, please.
@Matt — I don’t mean to question your craft, dear friend; but, might you have considered instead: “For a nonpartisan, more-welcoming and inclusive travel experience, please consider Delta.” Keep Climbing!
@Dan — I’m confident we could find something that you would take offense to and put it on a hat that then someone in authority, like a pilot, could wear while you are a passenger under their control.
Perhaps, the better rule is not ‘just don’t look at it’ but instead ‘just wear your uniform and do your job with dignity, honor, and respect.’
(Or not… Burn him! He’s a witch!)
Seriously? Of course its not appropriate, but it doesn’t change the competency of the pilot. Leave your TDS at home and relax. Its not like you’re being renditioned.
so an american is not allowed to wear a cap that shows his support of the duly elected president of our country? that’s not political that’s patriotic. the soy/beta crowd is in a perpetual state of complaining
@dave ireland — How ‘sigma’ of you, sir. But, for real, that’s a disingenuous framing of this situation (and you already knew that). Based on your use of pejoratives (oat is jam, not soy), you likely would not take kindly to anyone wearing ‘a cap’ with the ‘other team’ on it. Of course, it’s not about just any random citizen wearing a hat–no, this incident is about a pilot, who is in a position of authority, who is not supposed to be partisan, and who is an agent representing their employer. They simply should wear their uniform and do their job, regardless of what ‘side’ they may be on personally.
Back in the dark ages, when I wore a very unattractive, uncomfortable uniform, it was that…a uniform. No pin, hat, or anything else espousing political or other personal philosophies/identifications. During the off hours, sure, but not at work because the goal of working as a team…I don’t know…seemed to be part of wearing a uniform. Frankly the demonization of anyone from the Other Side these days is so easy and likely erroneous…does no one believe in nuance and intellectual discourse anymore?
@1990, please keep up the good fight requesting people to consider due process, which sadly I read your exhortations daily, it seems. We might see things from different perspectives on many fronts but on the need to avoid witch hunts, and predetermined guilt, I strongly concur.
This is a none-too-subtle act of trolling. If a pilot wants to be a troll on their own time and out of uniform, that’s their prerogative; doing so while on the job is childish and shows a serious lack of good judgement, which is troublesome for someone who is responsible for a lot of lives.
Keep politics out of the cabin – both sides!! End of story. Amazing that there is even any conversation about this whatsoever. This is a no-brainer. Keep your politics out of the workplace!!!
Absolutely ridiculous & offensive!
What’s wrong with Pilots Hat?
Pilot was making a statement that 50% of country does not agree on..
He needs to retrained on good manners & maybe given a little time off..
Absolutely ridiculous & offensive!
What’s wrong with Pilots Hat?
Pilot was making a statement that 50% of country does not agree on..
He needs to retrained on good manners & maybe given a little time off..
Don’t you remember u can only wear or say anything if your a Lib!
The Karen passenger who complained (Brian Wahlstrom) just outed himself as a whiny snowflake who is on high alert to be offended by someone (or something), somewhere, all of the time.
It must be absolutely exhausting to be a far-left Debbie Downer who has zero joy in their life and is intent on making other people just as miserable. How DARE the pilot have a smile on his face and a hat on his head. I am OUTRAGED. I am APOPLECTIC with outrage. I am shaking with burning RAGE outraged.
Just another virtue-signaling, ‘inclusive progressive’ Hypocrisy is thy middle name.
Being a retired pilot NEVER in a “socialized” union, I find it very ironic how, as previously mentioned, airline pilots are generally conservative but benefit from socialized union membership. Also as mentioned keep your personal thoughts out of your professional job, especially when in a work environment that is very public.
each carrier should say no to non standard hats, buttons, scarves, shoes etc to be worn unless authorized by the airline in writing. If passengers see any flight crew with political items worn, they will believe the airlines has endorsed the product
@aggiemd — Thanks for the vote of confidence.
It really should be non-partisan to support due process, yes, even for heinous crimes—because we want to ‘get’ the correct person, after all.
If you’ve ever been falsely accused, even over something petty, but also for the most severe cases, having your ‘day in court’ with representation and also the ability to appeal is fundamental to our system of justice and our modern society.
Nothing upsets me more than the idea of us executing the wrong guy.
Alas, in the ‘court of public opinion’ there are no such ‘rules’. And most things are automatically hyper-partisan these days. I’d personally like to see the temperature dialed down a bit. We still have ample common ground here.
That said, I do enjoy banter, and can take it as much as I can serve it. So, if anyone wants a piece, I’m still here. I believe @Mike Hunt prepared a poem.
If this hat wearing pilot would receive an extra $50,000 in base pay in exchange for only wearing a company issued hat before sitting down in the secured flight deck, this pilot might seriously consider the request.
@Ken A — What an unnecessary and unusual hypothetical you shared. No one ‘deserves’ or ‘needs’ extra pay for simply wearing their uniform–It’s part of the job. The consensus seems to be ‘leave politics out of it’ while on the job–that’s *actual* common sense.
@hwertz & @1990
“That said, although Trump is unhinged and a fascist, and nobody should support him, wearing a MAGA hat”
So to shock 1990, I agree that NO political attire should be worn by any personnel on the airlines. That goes with all businesses that have a uniform requirement.
But, @hwertz needs to go back to school or get a dictionary. President Trump is the furthest thing from a fascist. He is attempting to implement the agenda he was voted into office. It is the Democrats and their unhinged, out of jurisdiction rulings that are the fascists.
It’s a hat. Adult Americans need to grow up and act their age already.