There's been a lot of talk about this story: two girls kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight. Southwest says they were being disruptive, and the girls say that they were being discriminated against... for being pretty.
Prejudice against pretty?That's the claim from a pair of 18-year-old best friends from Oldsmar who were escorted off a Southwest Airlines plane.
USF student Nisreen Swedberg and friend Sarah Williams claim the flight crew was rude to them from the moment they stepped onto the plane at Tampa International Airport on February 14.
Swedberg said she asked a flight attendant for a bottle of water and was told she could wait until the rest of the flight was served.
"And I patiently waited and then when they came around with water, they skipped me," Swedberg said.
At one point, Williams had to use the plane's bathroom. She saw another passenger in it, and when he hadn't come out 15 minutes later, she knocked on the door.
When he came out, Williams says the man came over to her seat and yelled a profanity at her. Williams admits she yelled a profanity back at him but was puzzled when she says the flight crew only questioned her.
"I think they were just discriminating against because we were young decent-looking girls. I mean, nobody else on the plane looked like us except us," she said. "[The flight attendants] were like older ladies. We were younger. Who knows, they could have been just jealous of us because we were younger."
Southwest defends the incident, saying the women caused a disruption on the flight.
When the plane landed in Los Angeles, the women were escorted off by four uniformed police officers and later questioned by the FBI.
This is a picture of Swedberg and Williams:
Here is Swedberg talking about her flight experience:
Southwest isn't backing down, though, and a spokeswoman for Southwest fired back:
My personal opinion is that these girls are full of crap.
Gee, maybe you shouldn't expect special treatment on flights, and curse out other passengers. Maybe then you won't get kicked off your flight -- just a thought. I can't help but wonder about these girls, though. Do they honestly believe their own defense? I don't know the two of them (obviously), but they seem to me to be spoiled, snobby, stuck-up little princesses who are used to having everything their way. When Southwest didn't bend over backwards to get them their water right away, and the bathroom wasn't available for them exactly when they needed it, they threw a temper tantrum, swearing at other passengers and causing a scene. Afterwards, they whine to the press about being "discriminated against" for being pretty (and really, they weren't all that spectacular in my honest opinion), basically saying everyone else on the flight was ugly. And we're supposed to feel sorry for them now?
Snort.
In this round, Southwest Airlines is the clear winner.
Hat Tip: Hot Air
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Comments (34)
Slap them. Then slap the pa... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Peter F. | February 27, 2008 4:40 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Slap them. Then slap the parents.
1. Posted by Peter F. | February 27, 2008 4:40 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 16:40
2. Posted by goddessoftheclassroom | February 27, 2008 4:57 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I will fly Southwest the first chance I get. Their response alone is reason enough.
2. Posted by goddessoftheclassroom | February 27, 2008 4:57 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 16:57
3. Posted by jim2 | February 27, 2008 4:58 PM | Score: 0 (6 votes cast)
Soouthwest Airlines set themselves up for this when they kicked off the fem or two who supposedly was/were dressed too sexy. At least one such fem then got $ posing for Playboy. Seems like copycat wannabe's to me.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21834395/
3. Posted by jim2 | February 27, 2008 4:58 PM |
Score: 0 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 16:58
4. Posted by nogo war | February 27, 2008 5:04 PM | Score: -16 (24 votes cast)
"they seem to me to be spoiled, snobby, stuck-up little princesses who are used to having everything their way."
If you don't know them personally, then your opinion is based on an article?
Do you expect people to "know" you based on what you write here?
A snapshot of a moment in time does not allow anyone to "know" us.
If we were not there, in that place, in that time,
have we become such as to proclaim we "know"?
I am not saying your observation is incorrect.
I am just saying we all need to be careful of over confidence that it is correct.
4. Posted by nogo war | February 27, 2008 5:04 PM |
Score: -16 (24 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:04
5. Posted by The Listkeeper | February 27, 2008 5:24 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
It was kind of obvious from the phone conversation exactly what those two chicks problem was.
And aren't you banned, Nogo?
5. Posted by The Listkeeper | February 27, 2008 5:24 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:24
6. Posted by Faith+1 | February 27, 2008 5:31 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
I read this as two pretty, spoiled brats thinking anything less than royal treatment constitutes "abuse".
6. Posted by Faith+1 | February 27, 2008 5:31 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:31
7. Posted by Wayne | February 27, 2008 5:32 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
For most the interview and the articles is all we have to base our opinion on. The probability is that most know we are not getting the full story. However, given what we heard I would bet that Cassy is close to the mark. The girls' story and interview smell quite fishy. It just doesn't pass the common sense test. To get kick of for inappropriate clothing is one thing but being to pretty highly unlikely. Beside, they are decent looking but not that outstanding. In the interview the accuser attitude came off as being pretty pompous. There story seem really week and something a spoil child would come up with. Maybe this is the one case in million that the typical reads are off but I doubt it.
7. Posted by Wayne | February 27, 2008 5:32 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:32
8. Posted by Cassy | February 27, 2008 5:47 PM | Score: 7 (11 votes cast)
Nogo, weren't you banned?
And also, did I say that I KNOW the girls are spoiled, stuck-up, snobby princesses who have to have everything their way? Nope. Just that they seemed like it. That's MY opinion based upon what I know of the story and watching/listening to the two girls on the video.
What I don't get is why you keep coming back if you disagree with every single little thing that is written on this website. Can't you find some little friends somewhere else to play with?
8. Posted by Cassy | February 27, 2008 5:47 PM |
Score: 7 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:47
9. Posted by Knightbrigade | February 27, 2008 5:47 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Gotta love Paris/Brit wannabees...just for the in flight entertainment factor.
Boot---off you go-- no harm no foul, have a nice day sweethearts...
LMAO NOGO ......nuke fallout and only you and cockroaches will still be around huh?
9. Posted by Knightbrigade | February 27, 2008 5:47 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:47
10. Posted by Jess | February 27, 2008 5:57 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
My $.02 comes from being on one of the flights "in the news" over this sort of thing, and in my particular case, the "bimbette" was incredibly disruptive, rude, and stupid (there's no other word).
Later identified as willing to testify, I and another were questioned by her lawyers.
Not a surprise, after a few depositions, her lawsuit seemed to have disappeared.
I'm inclined to go w/Southwest on this one.
J (not that J. Another J.)
10. Posted by Jess | February 27, 2008 5:57 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:57
11. Posted by Jay Tea | February 27, 2008 5:58 PM | Score: 8 (12 votes cast)
Nogo found himself a new IP.
Now he has to find another one.
The more he keeps popping his head up, the more I'll keep whacking him back down. I don't think there's a limit to the number of IPs I can ban.
J.
11. Posted by Jay Tea | February 27, 2008 5:58 PM |
Score: 8 (12 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 17:58
12. Posted by Maggie | February 27, 2008 6:00 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Thanks JT.
12. Posted by Maggie | February 27, 2008 6:00 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:00
13. Posted by wavemaker | February 27, 2008 6:23 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
I don't think I need to know these people in order to form an opinion -- an emphatic one at that -- about them.
(WTF knocks on a bathroom door?? What's up with that? Isn't there more than one head on the plane?)
Anybody wanna give me a nickel for every "OMG" the people in their general area counted?
13. Posted by wavemaker | February 27, 2008 6:23 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:23
14. Posted by wavemaker | February 27, 2008 6:29 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
The next suspect class.
Hot Chicks.
14. Posted by wavemaker | February 27, 2008 6:29 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:29
15. Posted by The Listkeeper | February 27, 2008 6:39 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
The Southwest Spokeschick is far hotter than either of the offended passengers...and a few IQ points more intelligent sounding, also!
15. Posted by The Listkeeper | February 27, 2008 6:39 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:39
16. Posted by Two Dogs | February 27, 2008 6:42 PM | Score: -1 (5 votes cast)
Uh, where were the girls that got kicked off the plane for being too pretty? I watched both videos and saw no pretty girls.
The fat chick that was talking like she was the one that kicked off sounded kind of full of herself. She needs to exercise before she refers to herself as too good looking again.
And am I the only one that wanted to slap the Southwest spokesperson? They should have a do-over on the reply from Southwest.
16. Posted by Two Dogs | February 27, 2008 6:42 PM |
Score: -1 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:42
17. Posted by LaMedusa | February 27, 2008 6:55 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
"LMAO NOGO ......nuke fallout and only you and cockroaches will still be around huh?"
No kiddin', huh? But the little nogos won't survive because in the event of nuclear fallout, there will be no Wizbang to perpetuate their existence. (Aw, he missed you, Jay!)
17. Posted by LaMedusa | February 27, 2008 6:55 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:55
18. Posted by Peter F. | February 27, 2008 7:12 PM | Score: 4 (8 votes cast)
I just watched Swedberg's video and I have message for her:
Newsflash, sweets. You ain't all that. You're a little "roomy in the hips" as Hannibal Lector might say. You've got Hillary Clinton's cankles, too. And frankly, you really should do some curls and tricep work, those arms look like they flap around more than turkey waddle in a stiff breeze.
More scary food for thought: They're legal voting age, too, which means they'll probably vote for Obama. (Though I doubt they could even locate their local polling station, so there's hope.)
I swear to God, if my kid (due in 4 weeks!) turns out like this, I think I'll shoot myself. lol
18. Posted by Peter F. | February 27, 2008 7:12 PM |
Score: 4 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 19:12
19. Posted by jpm100 | February 27, 2008 7:52 PM | Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
The southwest spokesperson seems like she's 1-2 year away from having been just like those two girls.
19. Posted by jpm100 | February 27, 2008 7:52 PM |
Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 19:52
20. Posted by JLawson | February 27, 2008 9:18 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
The difference, JPM - is that the Southwest spokeswoman has realized that 'pretty' wears off and you'd better have something solid beneath it. The two seem to have mastered eyeliner, foundation and mascara 204, and that's it.
20. Posted by JLawson | February 27, 2008 9:18 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 21:18
21. Posted by Steve T | February 27, 2008 10:43 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
From what I've seen on the news coverage, the chicks are neither hot nor pretty. Then again I'm not into Monica Lewinsky types, so others may go for their body types.
21. Posted by Steve T | February 27, 2008 10:43 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 22:43
22. Posted by Synova | February 27, 2008 11:07 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
My husband wandered past while I was watching the official response and said it was unprofessional. Frankly, I think that was on purpose. I think they decided to actually treat the allegations (picking on the girls because they were too pretty) with the seriousness it deserved.
22. Posted by Synova | February 27, 2008 11:07 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2008 23:07
23. Posted by wavemaker | February 28, 2008 7:40 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Synova, I wondered the same thing, and I agree -- I think it was quite shrewd of them to respond to the "uproar" consistent with the venue in which it occurred. A YouTube battle.
She does need a tad more media training though.
23. Posted by wavemaker | February 28, 2008 7:40 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 07:40
24. Posted by Big Mo | February 28, 2008 9:53 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
dittos on wondering about the Southwest response. I went to their web site to check it out.
I think it's brilliant, and as Synova says, gives the pampered princesses the seriousness they deserve.
On the other hand, a YouTube response is also a fascinating alternative to the stiff press release or stuffy corporate spokesperson response, don;t you think?
24. Posted by Big Mo | February 28, 2008 9:53 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 09:53
25. Posted by Jeff | February 28, 2008 10:38 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines, has a saying: Sometimes the customer is wrong. Southwest is in the news for this kind of thing because they're the only airline with the stones to say to abusive customers 'Get off my airplane' and mean it. I'll bet those pretty girls won't be allowed to fly Southwest in the future.
25. Posted by Jeff | February 28, 2008 10:38 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 10:38
26. Posted by tj | February 28, 2008 12:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
sounds to me like you might get to play wack-a-mole with nogo JayTea :)
26. Posted by tj | February 28, 2008 12:10 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 12:10
27. Posted by TGScott | February 28, 2008 12:23 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
It sounds to me like these girls just wanted some free press so they decided to make total asshats out of themselves. I work with teenage girls ages 13-18. I'm constantly admonishing them that there's more to being attractive than just physical appearance; that you can be positively rotten from the inside out and people won't like you either. I think these girls should never be allowed to fly--ever--on any other airline. They should be made directed to the nearest Greyhound station for their future excursions. That ought to take them down a notch or two.
27. Posted by TGScott | February 28, 2008 12:23 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 12:23
28. Posted by cw | February 28, 2008 5:55 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
But...they aren't even that pretty.
28. Posted by cw | February 28, 2008 5:55 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 17:55
29. Posted by 914 | February 28, 2008 6:35 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Sarah Conner is cute. Wynona Ryder is not.
29. Posted by 914 | February 28, 2008 6:35 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 18:35
30. Posted by wavemaker | February 28, 2008 7:47 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
TG --
upon reflection, I have decided that the best description of these girls -- looks-wise -- is
"scramble hour."
30. Posted by wavemaker | February 28, 2008 7:47 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 19:47
31. Posted by Mitchell | February 28, 2008 10:14 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
This is the in the vein of a Paris Hilton video, sans raunchy sex. Acting ridiculous, and trying to cash in on the faux celebrity.
Pathetic lousers, even if they're "pretty," are still losers. Obama voters, probably.
31. Posted by Mitchell | February 28, 2008 10:14 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 22:14
32. Posted by Mitchell | February 28, 2008 10:23 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Ms. Swedberg, honey, if they were discriminating against good looking girls, I don't think there would be any risk of your suffering that kind of discrimination. Nope. You're a bit of a pig, aren't you? Or, is it dog face, not sure which fits best.
Ms. Williams is cute, but is sorely lacking in substance, and attractive friends, apparently.
32. Posted by Mitchell | February 28, 2008 10:23 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 22:23
33. Posted by 914 | February 28, 2008 11:00 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"Ms Williams is cute, but is sorely lacking in substance, and attractive friends, apparently."
I will donate the "substance" free of charge Mitchell.. ha ha
33. Posted by 914 | February 28, 2008 11:00 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 23:00
34. Posted by Hawk737 | March 2, 2008 11:36 AM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Lets set the record straight.
I applaud Southwest for how they handled the situation.
The two "girls" in this story are not pretty. They are imature brats that feel they have a right to entitlement.
Just look at the definition of "spoiled brat": spoiled brat (alternatively spelled spoilt brat in British English) is a child who believes that they are superior to others around them, usually as a result of their parents and/or other educators systematically failing to teach socially acceptable behavior and discipline. The term also carries the connotation of the child's being privileged, as well seldom being subjected to consequences of their actions. However, a child could be perfectly behaved and still be called a brat in a derogatory manner.
These two girls are not superior in any way. Stop giving them what they want and quit covering their story.
34. Posted by Hawk737 | March 2, 2008 11:36 AM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2008 11:36