Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobia’

[kyle]

Qantas accused of ‘blatant homophobia’

I would be pissed off too if I was asked to be separated from my partner without good reason.

 

[incumbent]

“I have never experienced such blatant discrimination,’’ she said.

That sounds good, at least. Plenty worse out there.

But a fail in terms of common sense *if* that was how it all went down. The "older version of the passenger seating list" bit also seems dodgy to me.

 

[turtlemichael]

I can understand how people get upset and offended by such comments and actions. I would have refused to move too. Whilst it was probably more ignorance than homophobia, QF staff should be aware that things are not always as they seem and their actions can be interpreted as being very offensive.

 

[marki]

Storm in a tea cup over reaction considering AJ is right up there on the anti......people are still very much prejudiced in Australia .....not realizing it in the least ( blissfully unaware)

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

Like all things in the news. We will never know what the true story is.
I think there are many assertions here on both sides. I wonder if the comment by the OP that they "checked-in online 24 hours before" to be seated together coupled with the Uncle/ Friends who work for QF, mean that the family was on separate PNR's which led to the separation in the first instance.

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.....

 

[theblank]

“I have never experienced such blatant discrimination,’’ she said.

Its laughable that been asked a question now amounts to "such blatant discrimination"
The poor thing, she is going to be in post trauma sessions for years to get over it.

 

[marki]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

AJ ....Alan Joyce CEO Qantas Airways .... Also well known to be orientated as gay. He would be typically Anti ( anti homophobic) so would not typically condone such action by his crew!

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

I must be missing something here. The complainant in this matter says her partner was seated across the aisle. Thus they were not seated together anyway.

The description provided also overlooks why the passenger sitting next to the wife, wasn't asked to swap with the husband and therefore be reseated next to the partner across the aisle. There's clearly something missing from this, so far one sided, story.:?:

 

[Deleted member]

Somewhere in the middle lies the .... Well more lies probably

 

[Ausbt]

so would not typically condone such action by his crew!

You must have missed the circa 100 preachers of various denominations who have forged a hard anti-gay agendas: and later been exposed as closet homosexuals. Those that protest too much ...and those that don't at all.

 

[incumbent]

Probably if we could hear from the family in question and the QF staff, we'd get an idea of where the misunderstanding occurred and it would all make sense and nobody would really worry.

Getting modern journalists in the middle will generally not help facilitate understanding.

And given that the family got the press involved, for a BNE-MEL flight, my natural bias doesn't lean towards them.

 

[incumbent]

Thank you, SMH:

Qantas was heavily involved in this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras and is headed by openly gay chief executive Alan Joyce.

 

[marki]

You must have missed the circa 100 preachers of various denominations who have forged a hard anti-gay agendas: and later been exposed as closet homosexuals. Those that protest too much ...and those that don't at all.

No ...... have not missed it ..... But it makes me shake my head in dismay.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Clearly the lawyer doesn't think they have a case otherwise they would have litigated rather than whinging to the media.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

I must be missing something here. The complainant in this matter says her partner was seated across the aisle. Thus they were not seated together anyway.

The description provided also overlooks why the passenger sitting next to the wife, wasn't asked to swap with the husband and therefore be reseated next to the partner across the aisle. There's clearly something missing from this, so far one sided, story.:?:

Does seem like a beatup. Yes they were sitting across the aside from each other. And it seems they were so self- obsessed that being polite and giving up your seat so a 70 yo couple could sit together was such an outrageous suggestion that they have created a major incident. Sheesh. After all it was such a long flight.

 

[kyle]

Does seem like a beatup. Yes they were sitting across the aside from each other. And it seems they were so self- obsessed that being polite and giving up your seat so a 70 yo couple could sit together was such an outrageous suggestion that they have created a major incident. Sheesh. After all it was such a long flight.

If what's reported is true, why can't people just accept their separated seats unless there's some special need to be close together?

 

[samh004]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

Does seem like a beatup. Yes they were sitting across the aside from each other. And it seems they were so self- obsessed that being polite and giving up your seat so a 70 yo couple could sit together was such an outrageous suggestion that they have created a major incident. Sheesh. After all it was such a long flight.

As PF notes, the whole story (such as seperate PNR's perhaps) is not known, however if it were me, and a same sex partner and our (young) child in a 2-2 config, I also wouldn't be moving just so a 70 year old couple could sit together. They've most likely had many years together, while my hypothetically young child hasn't had many years with us. Flying can be scary, and I'd want to be in eyesight of them at all times to reassure them everything was okay.

Besides, there would have been 6 sets of 2 seats in a 737. Are you telling me everyone onboard was at least a member of a couple that flight and the best family unit to displace was the one with a young child? That's rhetorical.

While this may not be homophobia, it's at the very least rude if the CSM made a fuss of the situation and then didn't apologise when realising their mistake. Turning and walking away isn't the standard I'd expect on QF.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

Besides, there would have been 6 sets of 2 seats in a 737. Are you telling me everyone onboard was at least a member of a couple that flight and the best family unit to displace was the one with a young child? That's rhetorical.

So these people were so insecure that they just glad to hold hands across the aisle? Who knows what the conditions of the other passengers were.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Clearly the lawyer doesn't think they have a case otherwise they would have litigated rather than whinging to the media.

Actually any good lawyer avoids litigation at all costs. And advises their clients accordingly.
All the law can give you is money. As they suffered no economic loss that wouldn't be a suitable remedy in this case.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Re: Qantas business class passenger accuses airline of ‘blatant homophobi

As PF notes, the whole story (such as seperate PNR's perhaps) is not known, however if it were me, and a same sex partner and our (young) child in a 2-2 config, I also wouldn't be moving just so a 70 year old couple could sit together. They've most likely had many years together, while my hypothetically young child hasn't had many years with us. Flying can be scary, and I'd want to be in eyesight of them at all times to reassure them everything was okay.

Besides, there would have been 6 sets of 2 seats in a 737. Are you telling me everyone onboard was at least a member of a couple that flight and the best family unit to displace was the one with a young child? That's rhetorical.

While this may not be homophobia, it's at the very least rude if the CSM made a fuss of the situation and then didn't apologise when realising their mistake. Turning and walking away isn't the standard I'd expect on QF.

I wouldn't call this homophobia - but that's mostly because I hate that term.
There was, however, a discriminatory element to this.
That was the assumption that the two women with child were not a family, and that the elderly couple had a more legitimate right to be seated together.

Also despite Alan Joyce's personal identity I can assure you that Qantas is not immune from discrimination.

*Please note I have replied to a convenient post, this should not be assumed as arguing with the poster.