Spirit Airlines Employees Upset Over Sexy Ads, Beer Uniforms

MIAMI — Flight attendants and pilots for Spirit Airlines Inc. want the company to pull a series of sexually suggestive advertisements, along with a new requirement they wear a Bud Light patch on service aprons.

Patricia A. Friend, head of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, complained in a letter to Spirit executives this month. When the airline refused to change the ad campaigns, and the aprons were handed out Monday, the union issued a public statement. Pilots followed suit Wednesday.

"I feel as though I have entered a time warp and am reliving the battles for respect and justice for women that we fought for 40 years ago," Friend said.

Some of Spirit's ads invite customers to enjoy its DD's (deep discounts) and "MILF" (many islands, low fare) specials _ double entendres that also refer to large breasts and a crude acronym popularized in the 1999 movie "American Pie" that describes an attractive mother.

Watch a recent ad uploaded to Spirit's YouTube page:

Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson said the union was consulted last year when the carrier began the discussion on selling apron ad space, and it raised no concerns. Pinson said some of the ads in question have been used for more than a year.

"Actually we've had great response from passengers that love the fares we offer through those promotions," Pinson said.

She disputed the flight attendants' characterization that the aprons made them "walking billboards," and called them small and tasteful.

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The union argues they undermine flight attendants' federal obligation to cut off drunk or unruly passengers, and are offensive to employees with religious objections to alcohol.

The apron space is available in Spirit's larger push to sell advertising in any plausible format _ including seat-back trays, overhead bins, napkins and cups. Spirit, located in the Miami suburb of Miramar, Fla., describes itself as "ultra low-cost." It does not offer any complimentary snacks, drinks or checked bags.

The company has a history of off-color advertising. In 2006, it was forced to pull a promotion called "The Hunt for Hoffa," playing off the FBI's search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains, after receiving customer complaints.

Other recent campaigns include the "Threesome Sale" and December's "Cheap and Easy and Nothing to Hide" sale.

"These initiatives not only support continued growth of the company, but also help keep secure jobs for our valued employees, at a time when the airline industry continues to cut capacity and jobs," Spirit said in a statement.

Comments

[Gooberweevil]

I love how the spokeswoman avoids the point:

"Actually we've had great response from passengers that love the fares we offer through those promotions,"

The passengers love the SALES...of­fered through those promotions­.... way to comment on the customers response to your cheaply made, poorly acted, tasteless and unoriginal ads.

I'm avoiding Spirit Airlines no matter how much I may save. Into my moratorium with Wal-mart.

[WilliamL]

Yes, a trashy, lame tv ad. Yes, wearing a beer patch on you apron is tradjic.

Yes, these concerns, issues, and grievances being "faced" by air line employees are trivil on just abou every level.

Men and women in the military getting killed and living as they do for years now in the filed and the poor, poor employees at Spirit Air are having it real tough.

I am sure the ad will go away. Sure the patch will go away. And then the employees in the airlines can go about their lives.

They sd. be glad they do not have real problems to worry about.

[westreal]

Ha Ha. Good one!

The employees of Spirit should be happy they have a job. Now shut up and get back to work!!!

[karl hungus]

The PC-police strike again! America is turning into a country of sissies, and using every small excuse to say "i'm offended" and then sue somebody. Get a grip; it's advertising, and it's doing its job if everyone is talking about the brand.

[mathme]

Are you here to fix the cable?

[daniINDY]

This commercial is about as 21st century and forward thinking as Archie Bunker. The goal is to be progressive, not regressive Spirit Air.

[ramper]

I guess they may as well change the name to SPIRITS AIRLINES.

[dennyd]

pretty low and tacky. this country is obsessed with sex--

[mathme]

To be fair, most people are obsessed with sex, but we find a way to be subtle about it.

[BBC9nch]

with people loosing their jobs by the tens of thousands these people are complaining about a marketing campaign that will bring their company more business? UNBELIEVABLE!

[mathme]

I wouldn't go to that airline based solely on the production value of that commercial.

[TheDarkKnight]

I wouldn't fly on a plane with rates that low, but if they can get more revenue with a little patch on the apron, more power to 'em.

[VA Lady2008]

As sentient being on the planet EXCEPT the management of this airline should know, air crew are highly paid professionals on whom, one unlucky day, your life might just depend.

Sadly, what passes for the management of this airline figures it can improve it's bottom line by pandering the bottoms of the (mostly female) air crew. They do this because they figure in this economy they can.

This looks like corporate sexual harrassment to me, and I think that a court likely will agree. So to the air crew and the union: sue the bastards in federal court.

The "beer patches" are another matter. What the airline is doing here is SELLING advertising to someone who will pay for it. I wonder, however, just exactly how the air crew's contracts are written. Does this also mean that they can wear a button for say, the AFLCIO if the AFLCIO pays the union?

Probably not.

[DC]

Cheap ads. Cheap culture of airline. Good and great advertising does not need to appeal to primitive desires -- greed, lust, jealousy, fear.

Low rent.

[Deaninphilly]

Wow, that commercial sucked. That's what has everyone in an uproar. Get a grip. If you're "offended" by that you have some serious problems. But reading some of the comments I see we have a lot of people that get "offended" no doubt by anything. Just a note I can't stand you people who are constantly "offended". I don't care at this point if you're offended nor do I care to even listen anymore to your constantly "offended" why you are offended.

As for the apron, wear it or find another job. Last I checked men were flight attendants as well, I know I was one in the 90's. So what, is sexist towards men because they have to wear an apron with a bud patch on it as well or just the women? Do tell how if both sexes have to wear the exact same apron it is sexist? Sorry, not buying it one single bit.

I would never fly spirit as they don't go to the places I want to go, but it's a low cost carrier and it's great for some.

This is just another example of one of the problems with people in this country, the me, me, me attitude. I'm offended so everything must change and stop to suit my needs. If you're that offended don't fly on spirit, don't watch the ads, go find yourself another job where noone offends you. Problem solved.

[GingerM]

People are offended because people - in general - have become more insensitive, more rude, and more selfish. I can't blame them. For the past 8-10 years, we've been stuck with leaders and "role models" who have an "anything goes" attitude. It's time we (i.e. the folks who've been lied to, stepped on, and *offended*) start fighting back.

I say "you go girl" to those who have fought back against Spirit airlines for abusing their employees by expecting them to act like walking feelingless fem-bots who are expected to "take it or leave it".

Employees are constantly being abused by being asked to do the most reprehensible acts imaginable - then told to "love it or leave it" when they complain - as if someone can simply walk away without being damaged for life by losing a major source of income. People have lives to live - they NEED their jobs. They become economic SLAVES - unable to stand up for what they believe or feel pride in their work.

[Deaninphilly]

It's complaining like this over nothing that has shut people off. Let me know when you have some real complaints and I'm quite certain all those insensitive, rude and selfish people would be there for you or anyone else. Until that time keep your "offense" to yourself.

Abuse? Slaves? Are you delusional? Apparently so.

You apparently are one of the constant complainers who are constantly "offended" I mentioned. Sadly you've complained so much that more and more people are starting not care. Sadly you're like the little boy who cried wolf. We all know how that turned out.

[evenbetta1]

LMAO, this is hilarious especially with the commenters not flying Spirit because of Ads. Honestly who even watches commercials anymore? only time I see them is when an ad appears online like this. But to be as honest as Huffpo will let me be, Spirit is the ONLY airline I fly. Tell me where can one get a round trip plane ticket for 27 dollars? Let's see, round trip tix under 50 dollars on any given day, or paying upwards to 500 at another airline for the same destination. Spirit wins hands down. The ads don't bother me at ALL. I tell you, some people just love to hear themselves type.

[Mark Kretzmeier]

I thought it was going to mention the phallic jet on the poster shown above. Check it out; even the angle of it suggests..­.an excited pilot

[Keyser Soze]

just flew with Spirit for 65 dollars round trip including tax from Ft Lauderdale to Washington DC (bought the tickets only 4 days prior)
I am more than satisfied, the only problem was one hour delay on the return flight (but I blame this on a snowing DC). I could not care less about commercials. People just put too much emphasis on things that are not important, like a commercial. Big f-ing deal.

[kndam72]

well said. And that is all one needs to be concerned about.

There are thousand so fo suggestive ads out there aimed at bothe genders. It has been since television started. I really think folks make too big of a deal of things and spend far too much time on matters that don't impact their lives.

[lizr]

Wow- I would NEVER fly on an airline with such low class S e x is t ads.

Gross me out.

[JZ735]

I heard they suck anyway...c­ount me out as a customer forever after seeing this bilge.