First, the article suggests that this man was speaking directly to the person seated next to him - not yelling out for everyone to hear. And, frankly, having been in the military, I hear that word and don't even bat an eye. It's just a word. Overused, to be sure, but as a result no longer all that shocking.

Second, what the hell does this incident have to do with him writing children's books? Jimmy Buffett - singer of the song "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw" has written a children's book. I'm pretty sure it didn't mention margaritas, getting drunk, or screwing.

Anyone who gets offended by that word anymore is in themselves a joke.

And the fact that they could throw him off the plane -by police- because they did not like his CALM choice of words, is a gross abuse of power.

Suppose he had used the "n" word? Or "raghead" or any of a bunch of others. Had i been on the plane and had a young child with me I would have been glad he was removed. If you can't say it on (broadcast) television or in a school you shouldn't say it on a plane. It's just courtesy to those around you.

A word is a word. People choose which ones they'll be offended by. I know a number of black men who don't care that I (a white male) jokingly use the N word, but I know one who does. I know there are people trying to ban the use of the R word, but I still have no problem with it even though my young nephew has Down Syndrome and will most likely be called it. Words are hollow and meaningless most of the time - it's the intent behind them that matters. If you're offended by words in a joke or words used casually you simply need to get over yourself. Being offended by words used in a hateful manner is much more understandable.

And bob5ford, why would you want someone to be removed from the plane other than asking them not to curse around you and your child? That strikes me as the more mature course of action as opposed to maliciously hoping for an incredible inconvenience on him.

It is called freedom of speech. I would say that the airline will loose & be forced to settle out of court. Dropping an F-bomb is not a reason to remove someone from a plane, especially when it is not aimed at the crew. This is a joke and all you religious minded people who are offended need to grow up and get a life! The fact he is a childrens author makes this hilarious!

Freedom of Speech doesn't apply here. Freedom of Speech only applies to the government. A private business can tell you what you can and can't say. If that private entity says it doesn't want you using foul language then it is well within its rights to remove you from the premises.

Suppose he had used the "n" word? Or "raghead" or any of a bunch of others.

OK. And? Those words inherently connote an unfavorable attitude toward a particular group of people. The word "f0ck" does no such thing.

But, even if they guy had used "the n word" or "raghead," so what? Part of the entire point of free speech is to encourage free thought. You can't force people to think the way you want them to think simply by classifying certain words as "bad."

Do I want my kids to hear these words? Not especially, but they've been hearing them in school since the First Grade, I'm sure. What are you going to do? Send them to a convent for their whole lives? They're going to hear these words eventually. I happen to think it's more productive to discuss that subject with them when they're little instead of just telling them that certain words are "naughty" until they turn 18. Then what? Suddenly those words are OK? Or, they're OK for some people? Or, some people should be shot because they swear or curse? A bit hypocritical at best and judgmental at worst.

Great point gouranga - someone who has no problem using disgusting language has no business writing children's books!

ugizeamuzeme

You don't read, do you?

If you want a word that just should never be spoken at all, it's "penis." What a freaking stupid word! I'd prefer just about ANY of the dozens of "vulgar" alternatives to the word "penis." Yet, it's considered perfectly acceptable to say "penis" on television or the radio or even in children's books!

Miker...your comment (you don't read...) made no sense.

Penis is the official name for a certain male anatomy. Do you dislike "vagina" too?

I'm fighting a constant battle with my 7th grade students to keep their language civil. This guy got booted for using coarse language in public?? HOORAY! We need a few examples like this to teach people that simple lesson: as you get more and more crass, you deserve less respect and merit more harsh treatment. Fifty years ago, such a clown would have found himself spending the night in stripe city. We need to consider returning to such standards.

As for Ourdoc: your freedom of speech stops at the front door of my classroom, or at the front of any public establishment where community standards of delivery are violated. The bozo had the right to complain, but not the right to use language that is inappropriate. Or would you rather I use such language in front of your small children?? Use that language in front of mine and I'll have a complaint for you!

You should make sure your students never fly Delta airlines.

Well I am sure he said the F-word and somone complained to the crew that he used the F-Bomb. They are touchy about that word. The bomb part that is.

Seriously though New Yorkers throw that word in nearly every sentence it is laughable how ignorant they sound the more times they use that word in a single sentence.

He's a "children's book" author? Give me a break! The only reason he was humiliated is that someone finally made him take responsibility for his "air" pollution. Good for the airline!!! I am so sick of people who think they can drop the F-bomb or use other offensive terms in public, even in the line at my Credit Union. Enough of the uncivility. A good test: If you would not use this language in front of your mother, cleric or children, don't use it in front of strangers. In this day and age it's dangerous to tell someone to shut up their "potty mouth" but at least on a plane one is relatively safe for exposing the miscreant. Again, Kudo's to the airline staff!!! And still, the guy won't take responsibility for the fact that it was his actions that got him booted. Geez, Louise!

The fact that you have a problem with the word, means you are incapable of properly educating your children. If your kids don't know the proper context, then you are not educating them well enough. And the fact that you let a word bother you, is a more serious problem. Stop running other people's lives, and worry about your own. When the passenger next to you on a plane says "I can't stand this stupid fu**ing c**t sitting next to me. The fact that she thinks the word sh!t is a bad word, just really pisses me off.", that's the moment to educate your kid that it's not the way people talk, and it's rude and not proper. Educate your own kids, and stop telling the rest of the world how to act. I hope I'm on a plane next to you some day, because every other word will be f**k. That's great education for your kids.

My BF's son is 8, and it doesn't matter what you say around him. He knows the bad words, and he knows he's not allowed to use them because he was EDUCATED BY HIS FATHER ON HOW TO USE THEM. He's been taught they are not proper, and they are adult words. He absolutely never blurts them out, and has never ever been in trouble at school or anywhere else for using bad words.

EDUCATE your own family... not mine.

I do not like cursing; I find it offensive. BUT I do not consider it cause to kick someone off a flight. The airlines are getting ridiculous regarding what they consider disruptive. Unfortunately many in our society today have become ego maniacs and are therefore power hungry. This often leads to gross abuse of power as is the case here.

I think it different if you direct anger toward someone and curse, vs be in a conversation and let one fly inadvertently. I don't believe he should have been kicked off the plane for the latter. And that is what happened according to his version.

I personally love Telling people they can find a another technician to work on their car and have the service manager tell them to never comeback. then they calm down and say where am I going to take it in fro warranty? we tell him to drive a hundred miles to the next dealer :<). Grow up people there are better ways to explain yourself You you can continue to live as a teen like you were in high school.

It offends me. Cursing is a sign of a lack of a better vocabulary. Perhaps that's why he writes children's books. That's the level of his vocabulary. Cursing is also a sign of a lack of manners. Good manners go a long way. That said, I do understand when you drop a brick on your toe, that a curse word may issue forth. That's forgivable. Cursing at people is ignorant and rude even if you are a yankee.

LeftLeaningLisa

The use of particular profane or vulgar language may not bother you, but may be incendiary to members of other ethnic, racial or religious groups. A member of an offended group may believe that your disrespect for them requires immediate retaliation to restore their personal or family honor, in spite of the certain knowledge that a jail sentence will result from that retaliation.

We do not live in a world where everyone practices non-violence.

Throw the bum off the plane, yes! What about the children on the plane who have parents with standards that include an avoidance of this kind of language? And if this is allowed, where do we as a civilized society EVER draw any line? Is it okay to stand up in a theater and shout "F-bombs" or to do anything else that visibly upsets the public who, in this case, was just trying to get to a destination? Believe it or not, there are society standards for acceptable behavior and kudos to the airline for kicking him off before somebody punched him out....

Gouranga

You are wrong sir.

This is ridiculous. Warn the guy first and if he doesn't stop then kick him off the plane. Kicking him off without any warning is just arrogance and a power trip in action.

This is similar to the "don't insult the monarchy (i.e. King, Queen, etc.)" laws that they have in oppressed countries that are still ruled under a monarchy. I'd hate to see what happens if someone complains about the service with this airline. They may just throw you out of the plane mid-flight....

Well it doesn't really matter. It's a private company and they are allowed to enforce their own policies. It's not whether you are offended, it is being a decent human being. He chose poor words and if the flight attendant thought that he would be an unruly passenger while in flight, then it is in the best interest of the airline to remove him from the plane.

Workingdoc, Yeah lets throw people out of every workplace/establishment and even schools that use obsenities. If you have a child in school they will hear it sooner or later, are you going to run to the principal like a little baby and tell them little Johnny cursed? Didn't your mommy ever teach you that sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me? What a joke? The article said she overheard him talking to another passenger not shouting throughout the aiplane, she might have been right over his shoulder. She is dumb.. I'm sure she hears the same type of language hanging out with her counterparts

ugizeanmuzeme...I like vigina...

I find it a little ironic that an airline would be so offended by hearing a word that perfectly describes what they've been doing to consumers for as long as I can remember.

He really doesn't have grounds to sue. While his language was probably uncalled for, the airline did seem to jump the gun. Being from Queens, I will say that we only drop the f-bomb when absolutely necessary. Those Brooklynites when will they ever learn.

ffeineandsugar, you seem to believe that anyone who uses foul language should automatically spend a night in jail. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, I think you might be overreacting. Of course I don't want someone cussing me out or swearing around young children, but I believe words only have as much power as we give them, and with all due respect, I feel that you give these words too much power. The way I see it, intent makes all the difference. In this case the passenger used "f***" as an expression of surprise/frustration over his circumstances and without malicious intent, so he should've been allowed to stay on the plane.

This is a joke and all you religious minded people who are offended need to grow up and get a life!

Why are you automatically blaming this upon religion? Seriously stop being so narrow-minded. I am a Christian yet I curse like a sailor when I am with my friends. When I am around my parents or church-goers though... ehhh I clean my language up a bit. Point is even though we aren't supposed to curse, we still do. It's called sinning. Everyone does it. Don't go blaming this crap on us pal!

As for the dude getting kicked off of the plane: That sucks man. Did he get another flight later on or was he completely detained at the airport? Either that isn't in the article or I just missed it... I don't see the hullabaloo about it if he just said it to the guy next to him. It's not like he had a friggen bitch fit on the plane.

Oh and this definitely wouldn't be the worst thing I've seen/heard on a plane... After you've seen a woman whip out her boob for a child across the aisle or a couple go under the blanket for 20 minutes doing God knows what, this situation is minor in comparison ;)

I have never understood why anybody has any problem with any words, really. It is truly what the word denotes that offends people. Towards that end, why do we tolerate the word 'freakin', or 'friggin', because really, we all know what they mean and what they denote, yet, it's perfectly acceptable to say those 'replacement' words for f&cking. What's the dfference between an 'ass' and a 'butt', where one is acceptable by the FCC and one is not. People just need to get over their stupid insecurities about something so trivial as a spoken or written word. How ridiculous to be offended by a word.

Jaime I agree with seeing worse on a plane except for woman whip out her boob. Sorry but thats just natural and there is nothing wrong with feeding a child, anyone offended by that just has issues I guess.

Jaime, maybe the person next to him was a lady? What if the stewardess was three seats away from him and heard it. What if the person he said it to asked he be moved? or they given a new seat? He said he dropped two f bombs. If he uses it that much ( as adjectives), I doubt he knew how many he said.

If he finds a lawyer that will sue, it will be one he pays up front, cause the lawyer knows he will lose. Read the fine print on the ticket. You agree to their terms. Any business may refuse service or sales to anyone they choose.

Perhaps the person next to him was a lady. I just feel people are getting ridiculous about things such as this.

sg - It wouldn't have bothered me had she at least had some decency about it... My cousin breastfeeds in public but she ALWAYS covers up with a blanket so not to make anyone uncomfortable. I wasn't offended or appalled, just uncomfortable seeing a full breast completely exposed across the aisle from me. I could tell some of the other passengers were bothered by that too.

@1.16 - the problem with what you are proposing, LLL, is that it leads to the further erosion of community standards - if nobody stands up for them, then they no longer apply. The result is the long-term coarsening of society, something that I suspect you would not want for your child. As much as you may wish to believe that every parent will responsibly teach their children to know better, the truth is that the corrosive effects of peer pressures, overexposure, profit-driven media, and individuals without standards lead to the destruction of societal morality. If you don't have a problem with that, then where would you draw the line? And how would you propose to enforce it? I'll be waiting for your response....

The whole story makes @!$%#ing sense. They had every right to throw that @!$%#er off the plane.

I bet the attendant curses like a gutter slut. I bet she went to the back with the other attendants and they talked all kinds of sailor trash.

These stories about these airlines are getting ridiculous.

I wonder, should I take a commercial flight again, if I should just sit with duct tape over my mouth. Crimany! Ooops. Can I say crimany?

KEEP

commercial means private property and so you don't own the plane, the public doesn't own the plane, the company owns the plane, just in case you don't know what that means, it means they can enforce the rules as they see fit, because its about everybody not just one person!!!

So again drive!

Um.. ok thanks. So.. where did you learn to read and comprehend? I said, if I should fly commercial- meaning, I think I understand the difference between private and commercial. Crimany! Are you the guy who just likes to talk to hear himself or what?

That was a waste of time on your part.

my writing skills has nothing to do with your intelligence level, if you REREAD you get the sense that your whining because you don't think the airline has the right to remove him(or others -air line stories),not that you don't agree with the airlines decision to remove him.

Big difference!!

No, I don't think that the fvckers need to be eavesdropping on my conversations. So? Anyway, move along, I'm not really interested in what you're sellin.

A week later and cj is still insulting peoples intelligence to debate a stews right to play queen of the bouncers. I bet Vines hasn't even warned him/her for the crap either. I wonder if this vunderkind has protected the rights of the ticket agent that denied the downs syndrome girl a ride too? Maybe even applauded the guy in the skivvies that crossdresses on flight after flight? An exac gave this guy a free ticket and an apology, but that doesn't stop cj from hammering the people that don't think just like him/her.

Ignore CJ!!!!!!!!!!!! Vines obviously won't stop the insults. The button is under the ! on the bottom right.

To the person who suggested that the use of cursing is a sign of lack of vocabulary and expression, your comment is both small minded and outdated.

As a professional trainer, teacher, auditor, and as a regular writer and peer leader with two degrees in liberal arts fields and backgrounds in two European languages and ongoing study of Latin, I guarantee you that do not lack for vocabulary. I use the "f-word" on a daily, if not hourly basis, just, obviously, not in a professional setting or one where it would offend others. Cursing in public isn't a sign of lack of vocabulary or ability to be expressive. If anything, it is a sign of lack of tact or a general misunderstanding of the comfort level you should have in expressing yourself and that's usually a product of environment (not that I usually endorse that particular excuse). The person in question was from Brooklyn. Several posters, including myself, were military. The use of the "f-word" is part of the common language in those settings, so it's only natural to assume that that would be a part of that person's normal communication. Personally, I find your suggestion that these people use cursing because they can't speak in any other manner to be blatantly insulting, both to myself and other happily cursing people and to your own intelligence, as it suggests that you are lacking in that.

So, in the end, he lacked tact. Did the airline have the right to throw him out? Sure it did, they are a private business. Should they have? In my opinion, not without asking him politely to control his comments.

It's funny how some of you are saying "RAGHEAD" but keep saying the "THE N WORD".......

Scared to say @!$%#??? Pu$$ies...

ALARIEN

I am not sure how you expect people to assume if they heard you in a non professional setting that they should assume you to be more then you appear, and should try to think your not like that in a professional setting.

You miss my point, which was that people who curse are not necessarily uneducated or lacking in expressive ability. It means, at most, that they lack a certain level of tact and self-control.

If you hear someone cursing and you think that it "appears" that they are somehow stupid or lack in vocabulary, then you are simply making an ignorant assumption.

alarien

ok so you right, its ok if educated people swear when not in a professional setting, because its so hard being tactful and maintaining self control when not acting like a professional.

Sounds good! ugh

All you people who claim "freedom of speech" need to read up on the law. As someone mentioned, a business is allowed to do exactly what they did. I run a high end restaurant. I have asked guests to leave if they start using crude language, like the f-bomb, in front of other guests. If I wanted to hear someone cuss like a sailor, I would start hanging out at the docks. Religion has nothing to do with my opinion. I'm not a fuddy duddy. I just think people who continually cuss as part of every day language, are either not very smart, or just think they are cool. Cuss to your friends and/or spouse all you want, but I don't want to hear it while enjoying a nice evening at dinner or on a family vacation on a plane.

Sorry wives, but you DO sound exactly like a fuddy duddy.

I would LOVE to know what restaurant you "run". I would love the free meal! We'd eat, then I would turn to one of my companions and exclaim to them, " That was the best FVCKING creme brulee I've had in years!" You're very.. un fuddy duddy self will approach us and ask us to leave before we can pay our check. PERFECT!!! I guess I'm smart AND cool then!

You really need to get a life if you are going to listen in to private conversations between two people and you were not invited to. Talk about poor manners and uncouth behavior!!

Oh and for goodness sake, I can't stand snobs sharing my space. Their snobbery really stops me from enjoying my meals and family vacations... I'm going to have to insist they are all JUST LIKE ME because I'm what everyone should model themselves after.

I don't believe "listen in " was in my comment. Usually if someone is using the F word, they are drunk or almost drunk. They generally are also LOUD.. Got it?? Nobody is eavesdropping.

And from your idiotic post, you are far from smart AND cool. As far as a free meal... would rather lose the cost of a dinner as opposed to listening to trash mouth "cool" people such are yourself. I would bet the house on the fact that 90% of the other guests would be supportive of the act of removing your "smart and cool" self from the restaurant.

KEEP it cool

I cant imagine, what would poses a person to flex their EGO so much as to make such a statement like "JUST LIKE ME" thats exactly the issue that happened here.

A person like the drunk man felt like he could interact with people around him that would accept HIS type of mentality and that if you didn't notice would be considered by most NORMAL reasonable minded folks to be OPPOSITE of how a children's book writer would appear.

And you must know, that you would be reasonable for your food, since you consumed it or could be charged for defrauding an innkeeper(mn law) not sure where you live, what your law would be called, because food was not the issue but conduct was.

Either way, your ME type attitude is what alot of people even ones you consider snobby are tired of. Thats one of the benefits of private property, expectations rule and not public law as to how it can be maintained.

Awwwwww. color me sad that I don't have the approval of a troll and a snotty muckity muck. Obviously your intelligence levels can be called in to question since simple things like- sarcasm and such are too much for you to comprehend. And no, I don't see my arrest in that scenario, no matter what fantasy land you live in. What a stupid ass statement! lol

Glad you can lose the cost of a meal. But it would be more than one meal my friend. See, word of mouth is what ruins a business faster than say, your craptacular food. Whether you find my manners or whatever you want to call it, offensive, people do listen to me. And they will pass the story on, and so on.

Anyhoodle.. why is your ME attitude more acceptable than my ME attitude, both of you? Oh.. it's what hypocrites are required to use as a rebuttal? lol PATHETIC! And I'm still eating for free! Oh and wife fan, I realize that you're afraid of big bad scary words (I'm sad for your thin skin), but you are no better than anyone else when you call people idiots and stuff. Please refer to- hypocrisy once more. You should really type what you mean, (ie- drunk, loud) rather than say- someone said the f-bomb and that's the last straw.

Please, please, please post your rules and expectations at the door! This gives the consumer the right to laugh at you and move on to an establishment NOT run by an out of touch control freak...

Try not to get hit by a car while you're wandering around with your nose in the air!!!!! :)

keep it cool

after reading your mess, you have displayed the same mentality i see at my job everyday. You seem to have this -your untouchable and not responsible for your actions mentality and i see your type fall down all the time, the difference is sometime people don't know about it when the bad things do happen to your type and thats too bad, but they do happen.

Intelligence has nothing do with the ability for people to be functional in society on a reasonable level. And so maybe your be just fine and things will also go as you plan and were leave it at that--

Riiiiiiigght CJ. You have a job, I don't buy it.

So did you have anything to contribute? No? Ok. Well, I'm going to go ahead and write you off at this point since you gave nothing of value or substance to speak on. Or was that a threat? lol Big tough CJ in MN.

BTW- I'm probably your boss at your "job".

KEEP IT COOL

you see you proved me right, and yes anytime you want to join me at my job here at the jail, that would be nice.

I already expressed to you, nicely that i see your type of personality every day here.

The college kid telling me he gets his phone call before booking.

The business man that acted just like you commented when he was at T.G.I.F.'S and a mother complained as she walked her kid to the bathroom- and didnt want to pay his bar tab-free trip to jail for book and release.

so yes i see your type every day- but again i hope things work out for you.

Stop your love affair with me. :) It's pathetic. I'm taken already.

Yup, I'm pretty sure I'm your boss and I know your type very well. lol You're the dude that tells people he's in law enforcement and you're a cook in the kitchen at the jail. I'm sorry, but I left that level of work behind long ago.

Have fun playing with the inmates! Or.. is your job the stamping line? lol Are you on your special computer time?

See, I can communicate on your level afterall. But I really gotta let you go dude. I gotta move on. This is a dead article and you don't offer any mental stimulation whatsoever. Actually, I just don't see that you have much to offer any any venue.

Don't worry, you can still troll on.

KEEP

it you get me dead to rights, your very arrogance has you knowing the difference between how you act and how you live, gosh darn it.

Maybe your right, you will be able to DO IT YOUR WAY and ill be miserable knowing your the one person on the planet that escaped my reality check of having to grow up and be responsible for your actions in public or on private property.

Either way you did get one thing right, that Newsvine is one of the APPROVED sites that the web techs determined dont crash the systems so i can troll happily.

My love affair is time, and not you, but since your my boss you know that us deputies love our down time!!

karma karma karma

I don't believe that. It's not that I doubt he told you that story. It just that I seriously doubt that someone would be yanked from a line just by wondering aloud if the plane would leave on time. If he was yanked, I wouldbet far more than that one thought was uttered.

This isn't a story about manners, it is a story about overbearing people that have way too much power. Toss a screaming baby off a plane, and its mother with it. Shut the mumbling rap stars ipod off so he/she isn't spewing off key N bombs or maybe the bible reading fool preaching the whole flight. I bet the pilot would have turned the plane around if it was how F-ing long before the cart gets here in midair. Oh NOOOOOO its a MAN expressing his thoughts,,,, the planets NEWEST CURSE!!!!! I have to bet he was straight and white too. Gay and "ofs" usually get allowances.

I am not surprised that airlines are overstepping their bounds and using the lamest excuses because Attendants are threated like CRAP! They are paying riders back. Wage slaves with a great sightseeing benefit.

EARNEST and company.

a plane company is private corporation, thus the plane is not owned by the public, so expectations are the rule not the public law, they don't have to tolerate ANY THING THEY DON'T WANT TO, time for you to drive. sheesh

cjf,

Ever see a captive audience treated like gold? Those people are people, not whipping posts. Save your ITS MY BALL SO THERE crap. You need to realize that power corrupts. Some glorified waitress feels like screwing with your schedule and you will be screaming. What ever happened to concern? Where was the please lower your voice?
The story I read was that he wasn't even talking to the waitress. I don't take your style of pushy kindly. The offenders should be sued, and will probably get off scot free. I will donate to the mans cause if he wants to sue. That was hardly a "FIRE!!!! in a theater" event.

EARNEST

thats the problem you have-- YOU DONT OWN THE PLANE- if you did, you can run it your way. And there are alot of people who are tired of rude people and there are employees that are tired of rude people.

And if a half drunk and tired wedding participant, appearing to be annoyed that way at the gate-- do you live in a cave, have you not seen the news of where airline passengers tackled out of control passengers---so why would think the plane should risk getting in the air with someone like that.

So his image or mannerisms suggested this situation was something to NIP IN THE BUTT and have one less issue to deal with.

If you know anything about private property, the rule of public law is not what dictates decorum, it is called expectations, and when he detain or arrested his conduct thats is based on public law, but his removal was based on the reasonable expectations of those flying.

People are tired of the all about ME complexes, and if you are on public property thats a risk you take. He is a big boy and responsible for his action. The last person who should be swearing is writer of childrens books.

And the sad thing is you seem to indicate a person is only responsible for their negative personal conduct when they are the FIRE in the theater person, thats too bad.

If, if, if, oh yeah, postulates too. But it IS MY BALL!!!!!!!! Whooo, why not talk about the FACTS? You are trying to browbeat me to make a point. Another overblown off centered attempt to play power games. You can't throw me off the internet with your caterwalling. Buy a clue.

EARNEST

the facts are pretty simple, and the property is not his, and by his own admission he was hung over from his wedding antics, and he admitted he swore and his arm wasn't forced to use those words, nor did he think someone made up a story about him.

this is not rocket science slick, so he admits to writing childrens books and wants to be judged for it but he swears like a sailor, which person do you want to fly with.

I am done waiting for you to act like an adult. Get your ego boost elsewhere nobody. You just spew your powerplay crap. If you actually concerned yourself with what I said, I would still be respecting you. TATA

Ladies and gentlemen, I suggest we ALL start ignoring the spam handed pushy people that refuse to stay within a conversation. PLEASE IGNORE ME if you can't accept what I TYPE!!!!!

EARNEST

poor earnest, it has nothing to do with accepting what you type, your opinion is just a welcomed as anyone here, but when you decide to whine and say STATE FACTS, and i did, it didn't work for you, then when you decided to KNOCK a person who appears to seem legitimate in the airline business, you ATTACK them by trying to indicate that the money she/he makes or lack of it, means they arent capable of the job and less of person by not being able to deal with the public, how childish.

I happen to be a person, that is not one to turn my head to bullying like that. You have no idea what a attendant may go through with passengers day to day. i can tell you that in every type of job, people skills help, but to assume that the general public are angels is asinine.

There clearly are airlines that maintain a strict code of expectations of how people should act on them. there certainly are attendants that work for the airlines that need to get there attitudes adjusted to work with people but i have witnessed more PASSENGERS over stepping themselves and being rude, vulgar and disrespectful in most cases for no REASONABLE reason.

Keep pretending you matter loser. I told you you are ignored. You still have to have your last word. I bet it was real egotistic too. I wonder when your drivel will get some applause?

EARNEST

it is always fun to see how you told me i am ignored but replied again, aah how the gray matter works.

it is about the last word, not because of ego but because i have the ability to monitor Newsvine.com which happens to be on the approved list of WEBSITES the county web techs and administrators haven't limited access too here at work.

either way, i was so looking forward to seeing what your next two cents would be about on this topic based on the points your raised earlier, which you seem to be avoiding.

Still on my ankle? I guess you have nothing else to live for. Enjoy your love life with my boot.

EARNEST

your a good waste of time thats all, its very simple, you made you opinion known, you made your racial comment known, and again i already stated to you, that it is about the last word because i can, not because i am forced to or because i care about your accepting it, only because i know this is not about any need to increase knowledge for you but to try to one up me for your own reasons and thats fine.

as i have stated after performing my duties here at work during my 8 or 10 or 12 hour shifts, this is a great way to enjoy time passing and reading comments and watching posters fizzle out.

ugh

Wow, I bet you really have no life if this is all you do. I might just keep this article on my watch list to see how many more posts you make. Wasn't it a WOMAN that started the NO MEANS NO action? NO I will NOT read your spews. As an alleged woman, you must realize that you are technically FORCING yourself on me. LOL

Don't worry though, VINES won't punish you for attacking me, I am ANTI OBAMA. Anti GAY AGENDA. Anti EGOTIST too. Too bad I know what triggers the VINE police. I respect your right to insult me. So keep trying. It keeps you off the streets.

BTW, my bet is, there wasn't a single word about the topic in that last ignored comment.

If you don't know the CoH, Earnest, try reading it.... Or I'll quote the relevant portion below:

1. Above all else, respect others. Address issues and arguments and refrain from making personal attacks. If you see something disrespectful or inappropriate, report it - rather than further inflaming the situation.

Consider yourself reported for comments 2.10, 2.12, and 2.14.

Ernest... I could only hope YOU will be escorted off this page. Your points were useless and just plain stupid. You were doing nothing but trying to be a troll and stir the pot. Glad CIF kept it going. That person was right on... not your inane comments

I don't think there is even close to enough data in this story for you to pass judgement on whether or not this gentleman was acting like an idiot or not. The circumstances surrounding the act are directly relavent to the act and the data here is pretty scant.

As a reasonably frequent flier who has had my fair share of long delays due to both airlines and ignorant/inexperienced fliers, I've had my share of "what the @#$%%" is taking so long moments." While I try not to vocalize it in public, if all the guy did was say it once and that is what they chose to kick him off the plane for - shame on the little tyrant known as a "flight attendent" who decided it warranted such a reaction <--Obviously that isn't fair to the lion's share that do their jobs efficiently and politely through often rediculous situations. However, I'm sure that the 99 out of 100 of do your jobs above and beyond, you know the 1 out of 100 that thinks the job allows them to be Nazi Gestapo.

On the other hand maybe the guy was completely out of hand, red-faced, etc. - i.e.: in general coming off in a threatening manner - in that event removing him from the plane makes sense. However, the article doesn't say he was arrested - so I'd be willing to bet we are dealing with a flight attendent who also needed a timeout...

Big assumption on your part, unless you were there of course. Swearing doe sno tmake someone an idiot. Most people curse on some level and unless there are kids around, and the rest of the adults need to F'ing sh$t up! This is a total joke.

I agree that if this is truly all he did, just ask what is going on with a cuss, then the airline is in the wrong. Hope he sues them.

The point of this article has been badly misconstrued by most. The point isn't if this man is allowed to be vulgar, it is if the private company is allowed to operate it's airline as it sees fit in it's bylaws. If this were in a public forum the man who have the right to be as vulgar and insensitive as he chooses fit, However, the airline has the right to ask it's customers to follow a set of rational guidelines including not being vulgar while flying on it's aircraft (and trust me, I've flown hundreds of times and there are ALWAYS children :) ). I, personally, would not have removed him from the plane, but would rather have pulled him aside and asked him to not repeat his behavior. But the airline is well within it's rights to ask him to leave if such behavior is outlined in the airlines bylaws.

Its true that I don't know all there is about airline rules, but are airlines allowed to make their own rules when it comes to whats considered "unruly"? Or is there a regulatory standard that applies?

"I agree that if this is truly all he did, just ask what is going on with a cuss, then the airline is in the wrong. Hope he sues them."

And I hope he loses. We don't have all the facts on this story, but if the flight attendant heard him you can bet others close by also did. Also, the article only tells his side of the story. How many times did he really swear?

What a bunch of idiots, if you think cursing should be acceptable behavior because everyone does it.

If a lot of people steal will that eventually become alright also because most people are doing it?

When did stealing and cursing become the same thing? Where in the bible does it say that it is a sin to curse?

This.

Is it that hard to understand, people.

Your name offends me. Blow - that's an offensive term.

No, it doesn't really offend me, but do you see how easy it could be for someone to become offended at every little thing?

@Ranman87

Have you ever read the First Amendment? I don't think so..because if you had you realize the First Amendment isn't a personal constitutional right to free speech. The First Amendment is a PROHIBITION ON THE GOVERNMENT, PREVENTING THE GOVERNMENT FROM RESTRICTING SPEECH AND RELIGION.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines is a private company and they can remove your sorry azz if you're being disruptive to other passengers... even your faux First Amendment doesn't apply to private companies.

Disclaimer: Now, freedom of speech maybe in the Bill of Rights or something...but its not in the First Amendment.

"Freedom of Speech," as far as I know, is just a common term used to refer to the First Amendment's guarantee that the government can not censor your speech.

But you are correct - if the airline decided the word "toaster" was offensive they could technically throw you off for saying "toaster," assuming they had that rule written down somewhere beforehand. You can only cry "freedom of speech" if the government itself is coming down on you for it. Even then you're probably in violation of some pre-existing law if they ARE coming down on you for something you said.

You can Deny people services because of there language in is not against the first.

...but after waiting over 45 minutes, I suspect that EVERYONE is impatient.....to say the least!!!!!!!!!!

I'm dubbing Mr. Blow a comment troll. Either that or he's living in his own little (retired?) world. In my opinion almost nobody in the business world "choses" to fly any more - you do it because you basically have to to accomodate schedule and the distance isn't reasonably to travel by car.

Or to put this another way the airlines have made the flying experience so miserable that you only fly if you have no other choice.

Anyone expecting expedient or predictable service on an airplane these days is grossly uninformed. It's shocking to me when a plane gets off the tarmac within 20 minutes of the time it's supposed to depart. A 45 minute delay sucks but isn't uncommon at all.

This guy was obviously being loud enough with his indignant cursing that the airline attendant could hear him so he wasn't exactly being covert. Obnoxious is probably more the case, judging from his "we're all Joe Pesci where I come from" attitude in the article. I don't feel sorry for him. I don't necessarily think he should've been removed from the flight but I'm sure the other passengers were glad not to have to travel with him.

@THX - really? You think the other passengers were glad that after a delay, finally leaving, and getting partway to the runway, the other passengers were glad to return to the gate? Just because someone said something "offensive" to their seat mate?

Two totally different scenarios. While I find both to be boorish a-holes the man in the plane is treated differently because he's in a private location, not public. When he enters the plane he agrees to play by their rules. Classic "you can't scream fire in a theater' scenario.

Not at ALL like screaming fire in the theater because there is no intent to cause harm or sew panic.

This gentleman said something that some (I guarantee less than the majority) would find truly offensive and he was kicked off a plane for it? What about the person that sits beside you on the plane and choses to talk about completely inane subjects and just want shut-up - I find that offensive, but I'm forced to grin and bear it. What about the person that sits beside you and feels compelled to "witness" to you. I've personally lived that experience in excruciating detail and I personally find it more offensive than the F-bomb, but I'm forced to grin and bear it. What about the obese person who sits next to you and overflows the seat in such a way that you can't sit in your seat without touching them - I find that offensive, but I'm forced to grin and bear it. Seriously, offense is relative to the individual.

Personally, I don't he intended to offend based on the article as written - as such I think the flight attendent is as much at fault in the situation. Oh and if you've never visited Brooklynn, then don't even think you can pass judgement on the venacular being a common part of speech. He's probably been saying it since he was 2.

Battsman - It is exactly the same thing as screaming fire in a crowded theater. They felt he was a threat to the safety of others, that his behaviour was unpredictable to them, and that made him a risk in their eyes. Whether they were right or wrong is meaningless. It's their plane and the safety of all of the passengers is their responsibility, so whatever an airline perceives as any threat at all is going to be dealt with strongly. They didn't throw him off for being boorish and not having the common sense to monitor his language as befits a public space, they threw him off because they perceived him as a possible threat.

Oh so rich. Great comment!

you have no freedom of speech in the sky or on water..you are in the mercy of the carrier or ship. I have a question for you, would you let this man sit next to you?

I would rather sit next to this guy lobbing F-bombs than to sit next to the nazi that called the police and had him removed. That nazi is more dangerous than any f-bomb.

Freedom of speech, as listed in the Bill of Rights, was intended for the free expression of ideas. It was never intended to be an excuse for vulgar language! The English language is broad enough to express any idea with an acceptable choice of words, so that unless you are intellectually disabled, there is no excuse to resort to profanity and vulgarity.

Um. Goat is correct. Freedom of speech is just about freely able to express your ideas. The bill is only ensuring you cannot go to jail via this expression. It does not say there are no consequences per the scenario you express them in. If there are policies at work requiring you to limit the words or phrases, then you can freely express yourself in racist or vulgar manners w/o going to jail, but you may get fired or kicked off a plane.

However, I think the scenario played out in the article is ridiculous. Over-hearing two f-bombs does not qualify the kicking off a passenger. At least have the courage, professionalism and decency as a flight attendant to say "Excuse me sir, I overheard you. You may want to keep it down and watch your language for your fellow passengers. Thanks." Honestly, I think today people just want to exert control over others or they simply don't have the people skills to adequately handle these situations appropriately.

@William - damn straight. I think it's more a matter of people just never learning how to deal with each other socially. So, if they have any authority (or at least perceived authority), they fall back on that.

bob-3451403000 - You don't have the same level of 'freedom of speech' in a private place. Plus...you can't just say anything you want at anytime you want. As I say above the classic case of "you can't yell fire in a packed theater" is an example of where your 'freedom of speech' doesn't apply. Plus...remember that the USA is not defined in the Constitution anywhere as a "free country", so don't rant like it is. That is the most overused phrase in America.

For example of how bob doesn't know what he is talking about consider this...Newsvine can kick you off for many, many things you could say in here, because it's a private service, so you play by their rules.

Freedom of speech means the government can't tell you what to say...it has nothing to do with corporations.

Just because you have the "Right" to do something, doesn't mean it is right to do it.

omg freedom of speech is freedom of speech. of speaking of posting ideas of it all. and yes it has nothing to do with corporations but do you really want that airline telling you what speech is permissable??

Freedom of speech does not guarantee exemption from the consequences of saying whatever you feel like. You have the right to angrily call someone the 'n' word in Philly but the Constitution won't keep you from getting beat up afterward.

William - if the scenario played out the way the passenger tells it, then yes, the flight attendant should have requested he keep it down and keep his language clean. The assumption then is that the passenger would say "oh, okay, sorry." On the other hand, I have seen passengers subject flight crews to some pretty horrible and abusive behavior and I don't think they should have to tolerate that.

impatientgirl - It doesn't strike you as ironic at all that you are whining about whether a corporation can dictate what you say on a website run by a company that tells you what you can and cannot say up to a certain point?! You forget that you are in a forum run by a company which dictates what you can and cannot say.

@impatientgirl

Freedom of speech only applies to the government. That doctrine states that the government cannot deny you freedom of speech. It does not apply in this instance. It's the same thing as saying that a person doesn't have the right to throw you out of their house if you start insulting them. Freedom of Speech does not apply to private corporations either. A business is well within its rights to remove you if it feels your statements are disruptive enough and that precious freedom of speech would not protect you.

Ojibobo,

No it does not. Read up on your rights. It applies to keeping my rights safe from all threats and it is a government's responsibility to enforce them.

And yes, even if you thought I was the most disruptive person, you could not stop me from making my statements. Unless I physically harm you or threaten you life, safety or personal possessions.As they could not stop him. All they could do was kick him off.

Get it straight before you go speaking on somehting you obviously are mistaken on. That is a major problem in America peopel think they are well informed and right. Actually you have no rights to shut me up, just like I have no rights to shut you up. (I wish)

Kelly: If you knew anything about the context of when the Constitution was created, you'd know that indeed you had every right to shut someone up in many cases. It was only much later that the judicial system decided at some point you couldn't do that.

Our founding fathers never envisioned a day where you were no longer able to stand up for yourself as it was so ingrained into everyday living. You bad mouth me or my family? It was perfectly acceptable(and even expected) and I and my supporters rough you up a little or even beat the crap out of you if you were especially belligerent. Actions had consequences even sometimes death. Dueling went on into the 1800's and that could be over something as simple as calling a man's wife a whore, though depending on the circumstances, sometimes there would be prosecution. But as we get into the mid to later 1800's and into the 1900's that changed. The legal system decided that that wasn't the way to do things.

Our founding fathers when they crafted that amendment, were thinking in the context that ideas, especially those concerning the government, should be freely expressible. They still remembered what it was like under Brittan's rule. The people wanted a guarantee that what happened under Brittan's rule, wouldn't happen under their own rule. That's the context of Freedom of Speech. It wasn't meant to give you the right to walk up to someone and insult them harshly without any consequence. Personal responsibility between people was just a given.

The way it is now does not reflect how things were. Freedom of Speech doesn't always apply, never did. Other laws now given the illusion of it, but it's definitely not the same thing.

It's too bad the that legal system has taken away personal responsibility for the most part regarding interaction between people. If we were still allowed to punch someone in the face for acting stupid, you'd see a lot more civility in today's society than you do now. As it stands, there's no consequences to improve behavior.

Mitchell

Well spoken Mitchell, a founding Father couldn't have said it better themself.

Ew Ew Ew the english Lit Class paided off Mit. Unforunatly, you lost me at CONTEXT IT WAS WRITTEN IN....

They contrived a Document that was to be used as a guide and to be interpeted over time that would morph with changing social, economical and political climated.

The context does not matter. It still protects my choices to say whatever I choose as long as it does not infringe on anyone elses right. (Please note I did not use the term offend, to be offened and have your rights taken away are not in the same catorgory.)

You arguement is invalid.

And JPeyton: you have some nerve to compare a panel of highly repsected me to a blog post of someone you have never meet that voices a invalid agruement about what the Constitutioon SHOULD BE.....YOu should be ashamed.....

That remindes me I need to pay my son's private school Poly Sci today. :o)

Believe what you will Kelly, doesn't bother me if you're wrong.

Mitchell

I think you just inadvertantly proved your point. There is way to much freedom for any dumba$$ to say whatever they want. We should definatly censor what people say, to whom and where. To many people are able to say what they want and convince other dumba$$' that it is valid. Then you have a whole movement if idiots believing that they know and understand the laws, i.e. only have freedom of speech toward the governement.

You won me over. I believe!

Wikipedia contains some very good basic info and references. I can give you some actual law book references if you would like. I think the Law in Plain English, Leonard B. Duboff is a very good laymens reference.

I can call myself a millionaire, it does not mean I am. As where you have the freedom you can call me wrong. Doesn't mean I am......God Bless America!

Kelly711 - I understand your point clearly, but one thing you seem to be forgetting is that you can be 'limited' in your speech in the sense that a business (like Delta) can refuse to serve you or kick you out of their business if you say something that they don't like. Your freedom of speech doesn't mean you get to say anything you want at any time you want. Perfect example is Newsvine...how often do you see the moderators kick people off of here for what they say. Are you suggesting that is unconstitutional?

Remember...the USA is not a "free country" like so many people seem to think. Nowhere in the Constitution does it even remotely suggest that. That's just something that raving patriots like to yell. All of our freedoms are limited in some way.

cry me a river. wear headphones.

Wow, so murder is okay in your opinion, but a bad word isn't. Holy crap.

Gosh, Bob!!~ Might be best for all of us, if you just stay on the ranch, and mingle with your goats!!

bonos_rama, you can look up "hyperbole" on wikipedia...

Way back when, in the 1970s and early 1980s, I had a series of jobs that had me flying back and forth across the country every few weeks. Air travel was comfortable and civilized. People dressed reasonably well with only an occasional slob in tee shirt and shorts. People were much more polite and courteous. The airlines handled your baggage and fed you at no extra charge. As long as your driver dropped you off ten to fifteen minutes before flight time, you made the flight. Occasionally, you did have to put up with crying babies and obnoxious drunks. Children were almost always well behaved, mostly because their parent kept them on a "tight leash."

Today, I only fly when I have no other practical option. The planes are cramped and crowded. The airlines nickel and dime you to death with fees. You have to arrive hours early to ensure that you clear the TSA security checkpoint in order to get on the plane. It has become a stressful hassle from the airport at one end to the airport at the other. To have to listen to screaming children, loud-mouth cell phone users, obnoxious sober passengers yelling at the cabin staff, along with people who insist on punctuating every other sentence with profanity is just too much - I would rather stay home.

goat I agree with everything you said...except that tee shirts and shorts are classified as slobs (I also seldom see that garb even today because people know planes are cold).

If you flew then, you will recall that costs were the same in the 70's as they are today. imo, that is the reason for all the problems....you can now fly fundementally for the cost of the fuel to get you there. Hence...kids and teens on vacations, cattle car seating, employees not making a good living, companies folks don't want to invest in. I would rather stay home...or drive.

I cannot speak about the cost - the company travel department just handed me the tickets and my itinerary and told me when to expect the driver.

Totally agree Bob. I'm digusted but not surprised by the people responding to your comment who do not. Obviously, our society continues its downward slide into socialism and push toward mediocrity. That's the way the Dems like it... we're all dependant and their in control. The good ole' USA ain't what it used to be!

Aggressive? Holy sh*t!! If that's what you consider "aggressive," you must have been raised by Quakers.

How is that getting "Aggressive"? If anything its getting pissed off.... which is not the same thing.

If he was getting out of his seat and yelling in someones face, THAT would be "getting aggressive", and would be grounds for removal from a flight. Cursing a little in a conversation with the person next to you? Thats called having a conversation.

The no fly list for cursing??? Well that sure sounds equitable.........................would hate to be your children!

You 3 can't see a sucker bet for attention? Learn to fish, you are easy to hook.

He admits to being hungover but declares that he was not drunk. Want to bet? Depending on when he had his last drink and how much he drank, he was still drunk. His language was just the iceing on the cake. He probably smelled of booze and all that was needed was his stupid mouth and off he went! Besides he took no responsibility for his mouth claiming that it was not his fault, it was his neighborhood that did it. What an idiot!

Hey Chuck - I agree. I do think this is a small example of what America seems to be about these days. Instead of treating each other with courtesy and respect, and assuming the best intent...we are eager to do the worst to each other without hesitancy. We are moving away from being a true nation (community) full of brothers and sisters who look out for each other and the whole, but more to a land of neighbors we can't wait to step on to elevate our own individual interests.

Let me help you guys out with a dose of reality. There was a time when America felt like a community, but that was disappearing when i was a kid, say 35 plus years ago. Now, America has morphed into a "me" society where it is all about personnal gain and "getting rich". Most people don't even know what the true American Dream is anymore, they just want to get rich quick. The American dream is fulfilled through years of hardwork, not some get quick rich scheme you saw on an infomercial. Americans have become lazy, they want and expect to receive far more than they have earned! Call it entitlement. I am clearly generalizing here, but I think you get my drift!

This is the result of a motherhood lack. Anyone that still uses a hankerchief to wipe his or her nose was raised by a mother. She taught you right and wrong and exhibited it too. We did what she said because she did what she said. We learned there was a time and place for some things, and just no reason for some things. We took our share of shots to the head too. Reinforcement. All gone with the wind. Thank the 2 income family. Look what we lost getting a bigger everything. And now America is about to default too. Too big, too bad. Too late to cry.

Great approach.

I agree wholeheartedly, Miker!

Public drunkness should have gotten him arrested. His mouth (words) were not his problem, his breath was the problem with the smell of booze.

Maybe people who get so impatient that they need to curse are the ones who need to grow up, yes? There are lots of people all over the world who have far harder lives and take it in stride.

(I do agree that the flight attendant should have asked him politely to refrain from using such language, throwing him off only if he became belligerent at that point.)

He wasn't even talking, or directing his comment to a company employee....but rather, to a guy near him!! He most likely wasn't even yelling his comments..

Where does it say he was talking to a company employee? In fact, the article seems to indicate he was talking to the person seated next to him. Way to make up your own facts for the story.

Umm...the article doesn't say he was being abusive to a flight attendant; it says the flight attendant overheard a remark he made to a fellow passenger.

The article doesn't specify whether the fellow passenger was an acquaintance of Mr. Sayegh or not. It seems to me that ejection from the flight was extremely harsh; a calm word advising Mr. Sayegh to be more considerate of his fellow passengers would have been more appropriate.