PM's air rage

[Hvr]

KEVIN Rudd has apologised for reducing a young female RAAF cabin attendant to tears in a dispute over a meal. Mr Rudd apologised for any offence he might have caused an RAAF flight attendant after a tirade of abuse because he did not get a meal he wanted during a VIP flight, pleading: ”I’m only human.”
“As I said, we’re all human, we all make mistakes, your Prime Minister included,” the Prime Minister told reporters in London.

If true it surely cannot be acceptable behaviour from anybody let alone the PM.

Mr Rudd, who had attended the Pacific Islands Forum, was told by the 23-year-old flight attendant that his request for a "special" meal could not be met.
Sources said the PM reacted "strongly" and a heated exchange followed. The attendant burst into tears and reported the matter to the senior cabin attendant.

Wonder who the security is really for if this is a regular occurrence.

 

[cove]

Could someone show him the door soon.

This guy is a very rude idiot and I am glad he flys on airforce planes rather than with us.

His apology sounded very insincere.

 

[drron]

Get used to him kagitower.It is remarkable how many will sell their vote for $900.Odds on he will win the next election.

 

[Alanslegal]

Way to Go Kevin07-47-400! Until the coalition really sorts itself out it will soon be Kevin11 :mrgreen:

 

[NYCguy]

Get used to him kagitower.It is remarkable how many will sell their vote for $900.

I assume those aren't the same people who gave John Howard a big electoral pat on the back after the "children overboard" fiasco/fabrication?

 

[cove]

KEV11.......gee you really know how to scare me!
It might be a horror story by then.

Look if he had been an ordinary passenger on a paying aircraft I would expect him to be kicked off under the air rage rules like would happen to us.

His office denied it happened!

With him being Mr 74 % by buying the public at $900 a time I am a minority and I know it.

I remain greatful he doesnt travel with us.

 

[oz_mark]

With him being Mr 74 % by buying the public at $900 a time I am a minority and I know it.

By the next election, I expect people will discover just how the $900 is going to be paid for.

 

[serfty]

By the next election ...

Don't be silly - it will be after the next election.

 

[drron]

Don't be silly - it will be after the next election.

100% in agreement!

 

[cove]

OK if that weasel never learns about Qantas to get to meet up with his new American friend I am fine with that.

I just took up a million points for Qantas pointy end travel to America and I would be disgusted to have foul behaviour on board when it is a long haul flight.

Staff on board planes do try their hardest and if it is such an effort to try to be nice for a few hours then this chap needs some mind reconditioning before his next journey.

 

[Alanslegal]

When the boss of the nation says you aren't good, its either time to cop it on the chin, learn & work harder or its time to find a new career. A flight hostie isn't all about pushing carts of food around, its also how to deal with difficult, agitated and demanding flyers!

 

[drron]

The media's love affair might be coming to an end-
&squo;Jeeves&squo; joins exodus from Kevin Rudd&squo;s staff | The Courier-Mail

 

[ozmerish]

When the boss of the nation says you aren't good, its either time to cop it on the chin, learn & work harder or its time to find a new career. A flight hostie isn't all about pushing carts of food around, its also how to deal with difficult, agitated and demanding flyers!

I cannot help but disagree.

Perhaps the PM (for that matter, each of us) should consider the following:

"The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.

The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly--the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light

The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others." - Robert E. Lee

If the story is true, then shame on the PM or anyone that believes they have the right to act in such a manner - regardless of what their perception of entitlement to be. He is only the "boss of the nation" at the people's leisure. A good dose of humility should accompany the position.

 

[WTL]

KEV11.......gee you really know how to scare me!
It might be a horror story by then.

Look if he had been an ordinary passenger on a paying aircraft I would expect him to be kicked off under the air rage rules like would happen to us.

His office denied it happened!

With him being Mr 74 % by buying the public at $900 a time I am a minority and I know it.

I remain greatful he doesnt travel with us.

You really have no idea what you're talking about. But of course don't let that prevent you from unloading your political diatribe on us.

 

[Dave Noble]

Please keep on topic of the alleged air rage and not Off topic into the realms of political beliefs.

Dave

 

[WTL]

Laurie Oakes said that Rudd has been unimpressed with the RAAF VIP Wing for some time, after a series of incidents (and the feeling seems to be mutual). Flights to Asia with no meal service, 6AM flights without breakfast, constant stuff ups with orders like orange juice arriving instead of coffee, hosties walking in to his suite unannounced and interrupting meetings, and in this case, no non-red meat options.

We don't really know whether this is a case of the PM blasting a cabin attendant because of his foul temper, or whether he's justifiably cranky about the ongoing service standard.

I flew to Asia on the PM's jet in 2005 and found the entire experience to be first class. But maybe my standards are lower than his.

 

[Skoogle]

Laurie Oakes said that Rudd has been unimpressed with the RAAF VIP Wing for some time, after a series of incidents (and the feeling seems to be mutual). Flights to Asia with no meal service, 6AM flights without breakfast, constant stuff ups with orders like orange juice arriving instead of coffee, hosties walking in to his suite unannounced and interrupting meetings, and in this case, no non-red meat options.

This just sounds like the PMs office has failed to set down his requirements/guidelines. The exPM may have been more informal.

 

[WTL]

This just sounds like the PMs office has failed to set down his requirements/guidelines. The exPM may have been more informal.

I don't want to be defending Rudd excessively here because I don't know any more than the next guy that he should be defended, but all of the shortcomings that Laurie Oakes listed (if true) would be taken for granted on a commercial flight - and the RAAF VIP Wing is running very much a premium service here. Serving a meal on a flight to Asia, getting drink orders right, knocking on the door before you enter his suite - all very standard..

 

[pauly7]

I flew to Asia on the PM's jet in 2005 and found the entire experience to be first class. But maybe my standards are lower than his.

Yes probably a standards and expectations issue more than anything - perhaps some miscommunication as well (easy to understand when you have a revolving door of staff!).

Or perhaps he is used to flying first class to China for free.... jokes

 

[medhead]

If true it surely cannot be acceptable behaviour from anybody let alone the PM.


Wonder who the security is really for if this is a regular occurrence.

Where does it say anything about being a regular occurrence? It doesn't. Ohh

Might be time to coin a replacement phrase for Howard Haters - those who blindly hated Howard no matter what he did. How about Kevin Kickers - similar to Howard haters but the opposite; willing to knock kevin even if he does exactly the same as the kevin kickers beloved john Howard did.

How about a collective noun - a coven of kevin kickers

Where could I find such a thing?

Besides this sounds arwfully like the story about Beazley being an animal to the FAs from the Airforce pilots network, via a close relative of a pilot. I take this story with a massive dose of salt, Come on, Beazley - Keating used to enjoy making this man cry. That seems to indicate some sort of sensitivie side to me. A sensitive man is not going to treat a FA like an animal.