Gailen David, American Airlines Flight Attendant, Mocks Airline, Faces Possible Firing (VIDEO, POLL)

UPDATE 3/15/12: Gailen David, the American Airlines flight attendant who mocked the airline in a series of YouTube videos, has been fired, reports NBC Miami.

A spokesman for American Airlines did not mention the videos in a statement, instead claiming that David's termination was due to his publishing private details of American passengers and promoting of American's competitors on his website.

David contends that it was the videos that led to his being fired and will appeal the airline's decision.

PREVIOUSLY 2/14/12: American Airlines has had a rough winter.

Ealier this month, the airline announced it wanted to cut 13,000 jobs and end pensions, and is discussing a possible merger. Oh, and don't forget the roughly $30 million townhouse in London or its lack of a sense of humor over Alec Baldwin's "Words With Friends" incident .

American is going through a rough patch, certainly, but longtime employee Gailen David made things more difficult after he posted a series of videos mocking the airline. In the videos, the Miami resident dresses up as a woman and pretends to be a female executive discussing budget cuts and even reads a letter to the camera written by an actual executive.

American has reacted angrily, calling David into a disciplinary meeting on Friday that he did not attend. David's feeling? "You know what? It gave everybody at American a laugh that we so needed... I'm not taking them down because too many people are enjoying them right now," he told NBC Dallas-Forth Worth via Skype.

The airline isn't laughing. "We expect our employees to treat one another with respect," company spokesman Bruce Hicks said in a statement to the station. "While we recognize our employees' right to express their viewpoints, we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to attacking or harassing other employees."

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants is standing behind one of their own. Laura Glading, union president, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth: "Anybody who can get us to smile under these circumstances, I applaud...American has completely overreacted. We support Gailen."

David's OK with being fired, saying it was either this or budget cuts that would do him in. "We all have tried to deliver such great customer service," he said. "And in return, it feels like we keep getting kicked in the gut, so this was a time for me to do something to make us all laugh for a change and really say what needed to be said."

David isn't the first flight attendant to egg on his employer. JetBlue flight attendant Steve Slater gained folk hero status for cursing passengers and jumping down the plane's emergency chute over frustrations with his job in August 2010.

What do you think? Should David's action should get him fired?

Quick Poll

Should David be fired or applauded?

Fired. He's a subordinate employee.

Applauded. He's just doing what others are thinking.

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CORRECTION: A previous version of this story called the flight attendant union the American Association of Flight Attendants. It is called the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. We regret the error.

Comments

[Mac Jt]

03:59 PM on 04/19/2012

Worked as a flight attendant for 24 years!!? Jeez talk about no ambition.

[uruGSandhu]

08:40 PM on 03/19/2012

No worries, United, Delta, US Air and Southwest are hiring

[emscrs]

06:02 AM on 03/19/2012

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

[Bldozer]

05:57 AM on 03/19/2012

Gay Gail not happy with his job he can find the door out.

[banzijack]

05:23 AM on 03/19/2012

Great,Funny
We need something like that every once an awhile

[Chicagogirl76]

04:34 AM on 03/19/2012

I hate American Airlines...Flying nowadays is like riding a big disgusting bus in the air...and just because you have Status it doesn't mean anything....I have Platinum with American and the highest status with United and you might as well be holding a piece of cheese...it doesn't mean anything...what it means to the airlines is they have more of your money. This guy is an joke and so is the airlines he used to work for.

[TroopAbn]

02:17 AM on 03/19/2012

I flew back from Belgium a year ago. Paid $201 for a second bag! Couldn't believe that charge! Connecting flight from Milan and to JFK. Got there my bags weren't there! Got to BWI, again, no bags! Got my first bag 4 days later. Then the next day, the second. Unfortunately, several things were missing. I contacted American Airlines. They sent me a "free" second bag voucher for my next trip. I contacted them back and said, "is this all"??? They told me they were still investigating. I never got another word from them. But one thing for sure, I WILL NEVER FLY AMERICAN AIRLINES AGAIN.

[Joel Holloman]

02:00 AM on 03/19/2012

Stupidity is stronger than ever..

[Steve68112]

01:55 AM on 03/19/2012

All these executives just need to get over it. Yes it is a business and needs to stay viable, but time after time after time companies cut services to clients, cut staffing, and reduce pay and benefits to the workers all the while maintaining or increasing pay, stock options, and benefits to themselves. They believe they are on an unsinkable island immune to everything going on in the world around them, but it is all coming home to roost slowly but surely. Go take a midol and fire yourselves. Your entire island is going under.

[bfliny]

01:47 AM on 03/19/2012

I have flown American on several occasions, mostly when I had no other choice. They are absolutely the worst! Southwest is 1000% better than AA. As an example, we had a layover in Miami. When we went to speak with one of their people, all of a sudden, she only spoke Spanish. When we got off 1 plane to go to our connecting flight, they would not let anyone stop to ask any questions. We were treated like cattle being moved through a chute. I had a problem getting to the plane because I couldn't take the escalator, so I wound up being the last person on the plane. One of the flight attendents came over & told me I had to hurry & take my seat because the plane had to take off. After what AA had already put me through, I just looked at him & said "GO AWAY." I won't fly them again unless they are the only choice available.

[pslcitizen]

12:58 AM on 03/19/2012

If you don't want bad consequences then don't post your stupid videos..

[Cori Hingst]

12:11 AM on 03/19/2012

Pretty stupid to put it out there on You Tube, wouldn't you say?

[SmurphIt]

11:51 PM on 03/18/2012

That's one down, only 12,999 jobs to go.
Another reason not to post things on these media sites that you don't want EVERYONE to see. One doesn't have any expectations of privacy on them since they're open to any one to read, or anyone that can break into your account. That's not censorship, that's common sence.

[Sotzume]

10:44 PM on 03/18/2012

Just flew American to Mexico and back…UGH….filthy planes, and bored and nasty flight attendants….Mr.David should be given an award for his truthful portrayal of these hypocrites who run airlines now. They could care less about their passengers…its the money they care about. Get the most and give back the least. Flying today is a nightmare.

[jaye4412]

10:43 PM on 03/18/2012

Not saying wether it was right or wrong, but it was STUPID to post it on youtube.. In this day and age, anything you put out there in cyberspace is going to be seen, so think before you do....