This lady is not telling the truth

John Donaldson, thank you SO much for speaking up re: giving full context to this story. It's maddening to hear how the media can take a stranger's words, create a "headline", without making an effort (apparently) to pursue any additional input to help gain more context. I so feel for the FA. She's been put in a hole she probably didn't dig for herself.

FA needs to be re-hired and the complainant needs to be arrested for false filing.

You gotta hate it when people use race or sex as a weapon or an excuse. It is okay to bring it up in a defence but not as an excuse as it was in this case.

I guess now FA's will have to wear body cam's.

What a surprise. Thanks for clearing up the situation. Now this needs to be published by the national press

Lets move on to something else. It is getting burdensome to go through 150 posts to get to 1 comment that may or may not have any substance.

Wow! 150 posts and counting. It seems that we have a dispute between two women, both who have been discriminated against because of their sex all of their lives. My guess that if this was some brute of a guy going after a FA, the other px would have come to her defense. Anyone who deals with the great unwashed public knows that this kind of sh*t happens all the time. Maybe the px was being a jerk or maybe the FA was giving her attitude. The px who jumped in and made racist remarks did not help. If we do not all take a step back and stop prejudging others, we are all doomed. I get it that it is in our DNA to be afraid of strangers. These FA posts speak loudly to our failings as human beings. Flying should not be an "us against them" experience.

Just another chronic complaining woman that thinks the world should revolve around her, which it does not! She is now wallowing in the national news spotlight with all of her baloney

Quite a different story! But no surprise to me. You know the story about crying "wolf".

In general., the media is not interested in facts. Their primary interest is to be the first to report.
Sadly, most so called journalists and their editors have left leaning political agendas which are inserted into the news.
And of course this falls right in line with this story. This sniveling whiny woman who was having a very bad day decides she's going to spread her misery. And a good employee lost her job.....
If I were her, I would hire a plaintiff's attorney who is the most unscrupulous of sharks and have him or her rip a hole in my former employer's bank account so large they could use it as a hangar for a 787.

I find it interesting that the squawk on the original incident has not been commented on in nearly 2 weeks, and has a count value of 2. This one, a post about a person allegedly on the plane with a different perspective and story is much more lively. Also, if anyone posted corroborating evidence supporting either side, I missed it.

Stupidity has no RACE, Colour or Creed. Any way to fast track her to the NO FLY list?

I'm sorry, but I tend to have questions whenever I see anonymous claims that are intended to call a person into disrepute or otherwise disparage their character are anonymously posted online.

1) Is John Donaldson the author (ComeFlyWithMe33) of the post on FlyerTalk?

2) If not, who is the individual?

I never believe anything posted on the Internet by anonymous individuals who have nothing to lose because of that anonymity, not without some sort of verifiable facts. Here's what I do know about the claims of the author:

1) He was assigned to seat 7A, a port side window seat. He claims he sat in 8D instead, when he discovered the passenger originally assigned to that seat was occupying his seat.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I NEVER give up a window seat, especially one with no one seated in front of me that might suddenly recline their seat and dump the contents of whatever was on my tray into my chest and lap.

2) The author claims to have been privy to a cell phone conversation with her credit card company, and then privy again to her specific online activities, which she allegedly paid for by credit card during the aforementioned cellular phone call.

The aircraft was a B738, not a C208, and the aircraft flew over the Appalachian Mountains, not the Rockies. Cell phones rarely work over 10,000 feet AGL, nor at cruising speeds typical for an airliner (in this case, about M0.75 is typical).

Having flown many times on the 737, I can tell you that it is difficult at best to see what the person in the seat directly in front of you is doing. I'm 5'11", and can't even see that there is someone in front of me. So how did Mr ComeFlyWithMe33 accomplish such a fantastic feat? Is he 7'6"?

3) If the only person yelling was Ahmad, why does he describe the passenger who took his seat as "the screaming man" in later replies within the discussion thread?

4) Ahmad, and the FA, both acknowledge that a bigoted remark was shouted out from a few rows behind Ahmad. Wouldn't you think that, if the remark came from "the screaming man," both would know exactly who made it?

5) The author claims to have contacted the media and even to have sent them a copy of his cancelled tickets to show he was indeed on the flight and close enough to witness everything. Anyone paying attention knows precisely what Fox News Channel feels about Islam in general. Why was he never on their channel as a frequent guest, given that facts rarely get in the way of their agenda?

6) If the FA did nothing wrong, why did she admit to it and apologize, multiple times? Why would the pilot go out of his way to help Ahmad file a formal complaint?

This is just a half dozen obvious holes in the anonymous narrative that was posted on one web site, and then copied word for word to various far right web sites as factual and proven. I'm alarmed at how many here, who claim to be flight enthusiasts, are willing to push aside reason and believe anonymous and unproven claims made against a person who is not hiding from anyone. It's disgusting to know so many here are willing to buy into whatever narrative fits their world view, without even demanding some sort of PROOF of the claims being made.

I use my name online, I'm curious as to why someone who claims to be an eyewitness doesn't, in light of the fact he WANTS the media to contact him, and wants to tell his side allegedly.

Fact 1) The version of events that the flight attendant gives matches Ahmad's version.

Fact 2) UAL is not responsible, they have done what they deemed they could, barring the FA from working on their flights. The FA is still employed with her employer on other flights.

Fact 3) The anonymous post has NEVER BEEN VERIFIED, not to mention makes no sense.

I want to know the facts, which an anonymous posting is not.

I knew the original "story" was a lie. How could a professional FA blantantly do what she claims was done?
Waaah waaaahhh I want attention cause I'm different! The narrative of many these days...

Companies today are so risk averse that the first knee jerk reaction is to terminate any employee that resists or pushes back against a complaining customer. Especially if that customer is a member of one of liberal America's politically correct protected classes.
How about we boycott the air carrier until the FA is hired back?

I can't believe we have reached a point in our society where the word of an individual is taken as the truth without a proper investigation to establish the true facts.

This is exactly the type of rebuttal that SHOULD be aired on the national news media outlets - but that would never be allowed in today's climate of sympathy for "minorities". At least there are forums like this where the truth can slowly be leaked out.

@myra you are a plant for CAIR. having read your comments, typical you follow a forum then say everything to discredit to someone who was on the flight then run to the media for further spinning. somebody pushes back and you don't like it. poor thing.....the "victim" enroute to a conference to help kids get along better? the lies get better. by the way, were you on this flight? myra and CAIR, you lost this one. maybe someday it will get all better when hussein obama grants domestic rights to iran air........please have a great day and i hope i did not get you so upset as to spoil your lunch!

Stopped reading when I got to your Fox News is the devil rant...give it a rest.

I'm retired USAirways (PSA) pilot and have pass privileges--now on American. The first thing I make known to the FA is that I'm a non-rev (standby).If you run low on anything---give it to the paying passenger first. There's a certain protocol and respect. I always stop by in the cockpit to see who's flying and introduce myself. If you abuse the cabin crew, they will just hit you back. They have to be honest and if there's no Zero coke---there's none left--that's that. Once you're past TSA and in the security zone, you can buy anything and take it with you. Buy a slice of pizza, a ham and cheese, Chinese, tacos, burger and fries. I can't tell you how many flights I flew with a sub or salad that I bought in the terminal and ate on the airplane. Autopilot on--time to eat. This is your leg--right?. Cleared to FL310.

I would be more likely to believe someone that actually posted his name. Why didn't he go to the press?

I am sick of these people.....These politically correct protected classes. They are not interested in equality. They want special rights

Maybe muslims are just lying animals!

I sort of figured there was something else to this story. This needs to get on the National news. This poor flight attendant probably had to go for retraining. I think the airline itself should be notified and the flight attendant's record cleared. The media is never held accountable for false reporting. What, did they just take the word of the passenger and never gave the airline an opportunity for rebuttal???

As with children...if lacking moral tenor it won't sing right amongst peeps... it's hard for upstanding people to fathom but ,yet, there it is. Tell them to shut the #+$@- up, and mean it...but we know THAT will never happen.:).

I'm close to 2 million miles on Star Alliance flights, mostly United, and including multiple trips to the Middle East (I have clients in Saudi Arabia and in the UAE).

In all that time I have never once seen any anti-Islamic discrimination, whether comments, poor treatment, or anything else by either crew members or passengers.

Tough, tough job these days! My sympathy goes out to her! But- let her know that it may just be a "blessing" in disguise to leave that profession! Having said that- so glad the witness came forward and told the WHOLE story!

On the Armstrong and Getty show this morning one of the hosts said that the major media was contacted about the truth of this woman's lie. Not a one replied. And they probably won't. Why? Because it doesn't fit into their agenda.
From what I understand the FA may not have lost her job. United - like many major corporations who would rather settle than litigate even if they are in the right - said she would not be serving United passengers. Hopefully that means UA gave her another position within the company.

@Myra Issa : so much self-sufficiency ...

I just wish people would read and comment on these thing in a timely manner, not 3 weeks after the fact. Just sayin'.

I am SO SICK of crap like this. "Political Correctness" has gone way too far. When do we take our country back? It's ok to offend American Citizens, but nobody else.

I've always heard it's better to drink water when you fly ; may if you don't get dehydrated you won't say stupid things or act like a jerk.

All this for a can of Coke ?
Nothing better to do ?

So... the media picks and chooses what to post in order to fan the flames that sell more product. OMG!

There was a comedian who recently said about a US Campus "A Rolling Stone gathers no moss!" When another paper didn't bother checking the facts.

Can someone advise how to get to the news article being referenced? All that opens for me is the account according to ComeFlyWithMe33 and posted by John Donaldson. Thanks in advance for your help.

when CAIR is brought into the conversation it does become relevent. Would this mouthpiece carry on like this where sharia law is very much alive and practiced?

Right click on "More", then click on Open

too bad she wasn't on my flight

All she has managed to do is make it less believable when real discrimination happens. The cry wolf syndrome is alive and well.

I really am an asshole magnet.😁

Why wasn't this woman arrested upon landing for disrupting the flight?

...all I know is that I wasn't on that flight....

I have read through many comments, why? I enjoy flying but don't often get the chance. Never the less I have not experienced rudeness from FA of both genders, and when we do fly it is long haul 12 hours plus. Passengers have got grumpy but the FA's have always been professional. That said I would tend to the view that the passenger was in the wrong. The 'western world' has to wake up and stop pandering to the 'minorities'. Like it or not Islam is not a minority faith, it is second only to Christianity. Most of you writing are American it appears, BE American, be proud to be American and stand up for getting both sides of the story. Any job catering to the public is stressful and makes the person serving ripe for being picked on, lied about and generally maligned. The FA takes a risk any and every flight. Pilots - locked into the Cockpit. The FA's out in a tight, cramped space and the target of many dozens of requests big and small, reasonable and unreasonable in the face of reasonable and grumpy passengers. The FA's cannot bring their 'issues' into the workplace, but the customers can and often do.

'Chuck Me' - that 'stupid can of soda' WAS a weapon, it was used to destroy a FA's reputation, credibility, and position. Well done Dale Ballok for standing up.

If the FA had been Muslim and the passenger Christian who would be believed and portrayed as the victim ...hmm

Like it or not, believe it or not I am real, British, in Britain and in a minority.

Thank you for commenting, maybe the airline needs to know your evidence because the FA is not at fault.

Just FYI - it said NOWHERE that she actually called anyone, the author most likely was implying she used her credit card to access inflight internet, which is exactly what i am doing now.

Shouldn't we be used to this by now? I wish there more people like ComeFlyWithMe33 who take the time to write and discredit people like this lady who only want to create controversy.

The do-gooders have made the situation intolerable. The divide will only deepen because of a small minority that think we have to kiss the feet of every special interest group.

If we knew who ComeFlyWithMe33 is, news people could interview him to get his side of the story. Why he didn't go to the news when the story first surfaced would have been better. Still, there is always a a hidden story behind everything that happens today. The FA should be put back on her regular route if she has one.

Why would United just remove her from their operated flights? Would they not do justice and interview all the passengers? I find it appalling that United would take the word of the lady in question, without speaking to the FA and the passengers. I had my doubts of this ladies story from the get-go. Several flight attendant I have seen are grumpy, old women. I highly doubt they would put their job in jeopardy by throwing these suggestions that she would use the can as a weapon.

thank you so much john donaldson for speaking out and telling what actually happened..i would hope ual or the feeder carrier would listen to the flight attendants side of this story and invite you and some other passengers to testify on her behalf..we have become a society of "too much political correctness"in addressing issues dealing with a persons race,religion or ethnicity,and this woman was taking advantage of the old adage "the customer is always right"and "im being discriminated against"...(not true!)...

This event whether or not it's true, has no place on this site. Can't we just stick to airplanes and leave out the people bullshit?

i am a son of a Retired News Professional and a former United Employee. You should take this to NBC news, United Public relations, and all other news outlets, what this woman was doing was wrong, and using the current social political climate to spin the situation to her favor. I'm a hard core liberal and I'm fully with YOU on this. What this woman was doing is crap. The FA was being professional.

Put here on the NO FLY LIST. Easy way to solve the problem.

Well, on a lighter side... Maybe since the ORD to DCA route has been branded as anti-Muslim, they will stay off the flight in protest! That would make it so much more desirable for the rest of us :)

That is why I only view the Aljeezera, Link TV and CC TV because these news medias exaggerates instead of doing thorough investigations especially Fox News, I call them the Bsnd Wagon Broadcasters.

They would have had proof.. I find this hard to believe they aren't just gonna fire someone because of a compliant. There was obviously proof. I really don't believe this person. Why would she randomly start saying that? She was provoked then if Ahmad said that

on a whim, I decided to check seatguru.com. Apparently this flight, operated by Shuttle America, was an E-175/170. The last statement about she pulled out her phone and paid for the internet inspired me a bit. Shuttle America only has wifi on half their planes. Anyway to know if this plane did have it, to crosscheck the anonymous poster?

I thought this was a race card issue from the start. Nice to get the WHOLE story, thanks.

That's cool. Now we have a "she said" on FB and a "he said" on FT. And I really don't care.

I believe the writer. Some Muslims (not politically correct?) learned to use the western's manners and patience as a weapon, creating havoc and discriminations of their own in colleges and around the country. Spot them and report!

John donaldson explanation is clear, swift and "real"!!! we all must pay very close attention to it because we (the world) are being sold the wrong story all over. those muslim of whatever they call themselves nowadays, are taking the oportunity whenever they can to spread false discrimination on race, religion ethnicity and all those BS on the internet via the so called "social media". too bad only few people will have the oportunity to read this "clean" explanation....and therefore will believe that stupid story told by the "poor muslim lady". ANYWAY,...I did not know MUSLIMS were alowed to drink Coke, diet or Zero....specially because this "drink" comes from THE EVIL NATION they so much proclaim!!!! come on (muslim) lady..nex time take a camel or walk to youir destination IN A COUNTRY THAT IS NOT YOURS!!! and please..TAKE CAMEL MILK with you . stop fuc....up somebodyelse´s work and life.

From the folks who brought us 9/11. Now we tippy toe around their arrogance. Enough!

All a liar needs is our brainless liberal PC media. Islam gets its message out with bombs, beheadings, and now, BULL.

Know wonder we can't stand these people.

Typical liberal media spin the story to make hype!! Was the writer actually on the flight? Does not matter! Liberal media read the social media posts and never looked anywhere else to verify either side of the story!! Plain and simple answer is liberals!!

Have you got proof you were on this flight at all? I have read it all seems a good story but no proof at all or real hard evidence to back this up. Jesus John you should join up with Disney they make good movies and actors love it.

why is this so important that you have to highlight this

K

why didn't the captain invoke sharia law on the aircraft?

I don't care who you are or what background you come from. if I ever witnessed racist or Inappropriate comments being made by any other passenger or FA I will make a complaint myself.