Hi everyone!
I am writing this anecdote to share with you what happened to me this weekend en route from LA to Vegas…. I am hoping in doing so to see justice done! Let me explain….
I boarded the plane, with my “business select” ticket as I am a frequent SW customer, excited for my romantic getaway weekend with my man.
After about 20 minutes of the 60 minute flight went by, I got up to use the restroom.
While in the restroom, the flight attendant started banging on the door saying “Miss! Smoking is NOT permitted in flight!”.
I was thinking – “Is she talking to me?” So, I replied…”Sorry?” – as I’m trying to do my business in peace!
Then, I feel her hands all but coming through the side of the restroom. There must be someway they can bust in or whatever. She’s banging and I quickly pause what I’m doing, pull up my jeans, and open the door. Can you say “feeling a bit violated?”
She was literally in my face yelling at me in front of everyone – accusing me, without premise, of smoking! I have nothing against smokers. It is a free country I just happen to be a non-smoker and have been all my life. And, If I was a smoker, I wouldn’t commit a federal offense by sneaking a cigarette in an airplane restroom!
So, I calmly said – “Ma’am, I am actually a singer and don’t smoke. And, if you’d like to pat me down you will find I do not have cigarettes, a lighter, matches….in fact, go into the restroom and look in the trash too if you’d like but, I’d like an apology because I was going to the bathroom in there, not smoking!”
She continued ranting and raving “I don’t HAVE to check, anyone can smell and see the smoke in the air!”
Again, I’m thinking – “Huh?!?”. Ummmm, there was no haze or smoke or anything in the air. To lighten the mood I said “Maybe what your smelling is gas? I AM a bit gassy today!!!”
She then abruptly said, “I will deal with you later!”
Again, I demanded an apology.
By this point, other passengers were whispering and pointing. A few knew me as I heard my name being murmured. Grrreat!
She then got on her phone and called what, at this point I thought may be the police to greet me upon arrival! I have to admit, now I was getting nervous because this woman was one hundred percent sure that I was smoking in that restroom! Innocent ’til proven guilty? I think not. I was actually kinda hoping there would be police and some kind of blood test or something to really show her!!!
She also pointed me out to her counterpart. I was a marked passenger!
This woman should be fired. She publicly humiliated an innocent person. The fact that she ruined my flight and I didn’t get to relax is beside the point. She was aggressive and accusatory with NO premise. It was absolutely ridiculous.
I even smelled my sweater this morning thinking “I was in my friend’s car who is a smoker the other night…maybe my sweater smells of smoke?”. It doesn’t! And, if it did, is it a crime to smell like smoke? I have nothing against smokers – I am simply not one. And, the fact that I had to defend myself for the better part of the flight is appalling. The irony is, when I eventually sat back down to try to cool off, I went back to my reading material….a health and fitness magazine as I am clean living!
I got her name on the way off the plane. Marion. Scottish or Irish woman. Flying daily from Burbank to Vegas. Beware!!!
I am not traveling Southwest ’til someone does something about this situation. A written or face to face apology from this woman would be nice.
For a 39 year old professional woman to be singled out for no good reason, and – for her not to take me at my word is an injustice. And, clearly I was not some teenage party girl/rebel heading out of town for a weekend of debauchery! It takes only a relatively aware and instinctual person to assess that!
So, that’s my story….. I will most likely be driving back to LA because I really do not want to even chance seeing that woman’s face again. I guess a badge and a walkie talkie make some people feel reeeeally powerful! And, to think I gave her courtesy laughs during her attempted comical take on the safety routine!
The good news is, I had fabulous French food with my fabulous boyfriend! Smoking was allowed on the patio. We sat inside : )
Safe and peaceful travels everyone!!
X DEBORAH
Hi Deborah –
Christi from Southwest Airlines here. First of all, I am extremely sorry for any sort of humiliation or frustration you may have experienced on your recent flight. That sort of treatment is definitely not the Southwest style. I’ll share your information with a Customer Relations supervisor and we will be in touch asap with a formal apology. Thanks for your loyalty to Southwest, and thanks for allowing us to make this up to you.
Sincerely,
Christi Day
I can’t stand SW! They gave us such a hassle when we flew with our twins to Chicago. Very rarely do I have a nice flight. Sucks you had to go through that, I hope they apologize!
Nothing worse than being accused for a wrongdoing you did NOT do. Ugh.
That’s disgusting… can’t believe that… I would have demanded that the police greet the plane and prove your innocence. It’s like we’re chasing the “boogie man” with this security crap… first Joan Rivers incident… now you… it’s really sad. You should join forces with her to bring national attention to incidents like this. and BTW Deborah… Southwest? Really? Come on hon… (wink) you get what you pay for… but that’s still no excuse for the Flight attendant’s behavior….
OMG! thats crazy! I would file a report with SW and never ever fly with them again! I would have been really upset and sadly when i get mad i cry, so that just makes me look guilty..lol! glad you were able to blow her off. I think you handled her just fine. Thanks for sharing and i will not fly SW again! Hope the rest of your weekend is wonderful!
an old fan (still am!),
Amory
Deb,
Unfortunately, this seems to be the kind of world we’re living in when folks with walkie talkies can openly harass passengers, when law enforcement can whip out a taser and do their thing, too.
I’m 39,like you. I’m a mom with an autistic child. Would you believe that I’ve NEVER flown even once in my whole life?!!
And I wouldn’t… simply because I’d worry what would happen to my child should she happen to panic.
DRIVE back to LA and enjoy the view!
~Bets
Deborah, you’ve said something very true, some people who use a badge and a walkie talkie make feel really powerful!, But they should “get off the revolution” and be politically correct to deal with their own customers. Maybe she needs psychiatric treatment.
You are a lucky girl to have a great boyfriend …
Hugs & Kisses.
Brian From Chile.
You should definitely complain via a written letter as well as a phone call and mention you’re a frequent flier. I’ve had colleagues that have worked on the finance side of the airline industry and frequent fliers are their lifeblood. As you say give someone a walkie talkie and a little bit of power and they don’t know how to handle it…..however on the finance side they’ll do anything they can to ensure you’re happy and will continue to come back….in the end it’s all about the $$$ and frequent fliers are crucial to their bottom line. I’d be shocked if you don’t get some sort of apology from corporate and/or the walkie talkie power-tripper!
I don’t smoke either and haven’t never flown. I would be apaulled too if someone accussed me of smokin and I didn’t. Life in general is not fair but we have to make the most of it. Thanks for bein u and bein health and fit.
Deborah this is a bizarre story and you had all the right to feel aggravated and violated on many levels. I do not understand the premise made that you were smoking. If there was no smoke, there must have been no fire, as the saying goes.
Did she realize you were a celebrity? Was she attempting to make a scene because of this.
You are a loyal and frequent Southwest flyer, so the least this corporation could do is submit an apology in writing. If you do not receive it, then give your business to another airline.
I am happy you had a smoke free and pleasant dinner with your boyfriend. You truly deserved it.
Hi
I’m a fan from way back. I’ve just had my 40th birthday (last week – ouch! Pain fading now thank goodness!!), anyway I was angered by your story too. How dare she! I’m seriously upset that she might be scottish – as I am and we’re not all like that, honest!
Oh well, hope you got (or get) home ok, and that you never have to endure an experience like that again – though it’s probably inevitable! I’m sure some, if not all, the other passengers could see for themselves what kind of power-tripper she was.
Hope you have a great 40th birthday when it comes.
All the best,
Dee
As a former smoker myself, I’d like to know what SHE was smoking if she THOUGHT she smelled and saw cigarette smoke in the air on an airplane where it would be extremely obvious to ALL if there was. That woman clearly needs a vacation at the least. Cuz she sounds a little Tom Cruise-azy to me.
Debra,
I am not personally involved with the SW organization but know many people who are, at the highest level. I have passed this blog on to them (in case they have not yet seen it) and have been told the incident will be investigated and addressed.
I apologize…I meant Deborah. I hate it when I jot a quick note and do something like that!!
Deb:
I hope that SW Airlines apologizes and that this woman gets a serious reprimand or is fired if this not her first offense.
Do not let this woman get under your skin. She is not worth it. !
GGG
Hiya Deb, I don’t know how you managed to keep your cool. If someone would have done that to me i think i would have exploded as the red mist clouded my vision.
Stewards on airplanes need to be able to keep calm so as not to scare the passengers onboard and the person you had the misfortune to come up against needs to be suspended from flying.
Deborah – I’ve been a fan of you since the 80’s and traveled to see you perform. I live in NYC and am a frequent flier and know that there is a lot of sensitivity to everything going on and some people do abuse power. No doubt you were wrongly accused and it does sound as though Marion went a little too far; however, this is no reason for you to say that you are going to get someone fired. I lost a lot of respect for you reading your twitter to see that you posted “…I am SO getting her fired.”. She has a job to do and her job is to protect the plane and it’s passengers and with all going on you have to respect that. I think demanding an apology is more than enough, but to say you want to put someone in a position where they lose their job in this economy is absolutely absorb and I am disappointed you would say that.
Deborah, oh man, I hope you spoke the Captain or someone at the airport about this. Or were you just so relieved to get off the airplane that you bolted. I don’t blame you! That is horrible and totally unprofessional!
On a lighter note, too bad some of us fans weren’t on that flight…can you imagine a Debhead mutiny?!? 🙂
Matt
UT
Ps. I just realized I used “relieved” and “lighter” in my comments. How fitting for the situation eh? Ha ha!
So once again the victim is being blamed. Sure she has a plane to protect. But you have to be respectful about it and be able to admit when you have made a mistake. I don’t think Deborah is wrong for want ing to get this woman fired. If she wants to keep her job she needs to be more respectful.
Also because the economy is bad does not mean no one should be fired. Its foolish to think otherwise.
oooooh there’s is two Amanda’s on here?
Sorry Deb!
Bets,
I know what you mean. Have the same problem travelling with my sister with special needs. People like this Marion walk all over her , and she hasn’t got the tools to stand up to herself. Disgusting people!
I would have screamed “I’m not smoking!” Loud enough for everyone one the plane to hear. Maybe you can press charges for her invading your privacy. I would definitely at least send a letter to southwest Airlines.
I haven’t heard this on the news maybe you should have made a scene and got arrested. 😉 Kidding. I’m a long time fan.
Ed – I would challenge you NOT to send a tweet like that in the heat of the moment after going through that. What did Marion think at the time? “This woman is smoking and lying about it and I’m SO going to cause a scene and humiliate her.” She is a customer service rep – the FACE of Southwest Airlines to the passengers – and the way she behaved was reprehensible. I’m sure it’s not the first time it’s happened. As for not getting someone fired in this economy, there are thousands of people who are GOOD at their jobs who lost theirs and I would far rather this job be given to someone who could do it well than someone like Marion.
Deb, this person needs to be blacklisted. So unprofessional and rude to you. The airline has to take responsibility for such unrudly behaviour of it’s staff. Boycott the airline.
Yeah, driving, that would be a good option. Glad to know you had a good meal with your BF.
Wow! That is insane. How embarrassing for you. I’m flying Southwest this Wednesday from Pittsburgh to Tucson. I guess your advice is to not go to the bathroom on the plane.
OMG, You are right give people authority and they think they are all that! Sorry to hear you had that problem it is really takes the pleasure out of any trip. On a happier note I auditioned for Sing and made the cast. So did Gabby and Caitlyn. They asked how we found out about it and we all said Deborah Gibson! Thank You so much once again!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Sarah
The scary part is that this could happen to anyone. I’m sorry it had to be you, Deborah. They could’ve hauled you or me or any passenger off in handcuffs for no legitimate reason and nothing you could say or do would’ve mattered… the flight attendant’s word rules. I hope your celebrity status brings Southwest the negative publicity it deserves for this situation!
As for me, I stopped flying them years ago, fed up by their crazy boarding system.
One of the worst things is to be accused of something that you didn’t do. I had that happen to me in school before and once on a job. Since nothing was done to you when you landed in Vegas that says to me that she knew she didn’t have anything and what she might have really been trying to do is make a scene, or she’s just got some serious mental problems. I really doubt that you can get her fired because it seems like once somebody is with a company long enough they become almost immune to serious diciplinary action. She might get a written repremand. Log a formal complaint with the airline about her personally and if she either has or will aquire enough of them she won’t get promotions or raises. She will stay right where she is, making the same salary that she has for years, while watching others that were once below her move up the ladder above her. You will probably get a written apology from a customer service rep and a free ticket. Some people you give them a little power and they think they run the world.
Oh, Deb! I’m so sorry this happened to you. Your outrage is totally justified.
If it would do any good/you want me to, I will gladly write Southwest a letter to say that not only do you not smoke and I/so many people KNOW this, but what’s more, I have never smoked a single cigarette in my life and that’s largely because of YOU! Yes, I “found” you and your music when I was 11, and you were a tremendously positive influence in my life during those formative (pre)adolescent years. I have NEVER smoked, or had an alcoholic drink, or done drugs, and was able to resist the peer pressure to do so partially because I had YOU as a positive model (along with great parents and teachers and friends!). You have always advocated a healthy lifestyle. When I was a teenager, a quote of yours from the Live Around the World video was my mantra – “Kids are getting the message that it’s wrong to be a good person, and I think that THAT’S wrong.” Okay, not quite a Ghandi quote, but I GOT that – there was so much pressure to be “bad” – smoke, drink, do drugs, sleep around, be mean to your parents, cheat, steal, raise hell… but I never did any of that, never went through a rebellious phase… I was a goody goody and DAMN PROUD – I treated my friends, family, and myself and my body with kindness and love. I had you as proof and inspiration that being GOOD is GOOD. 🙂
Maybe she is Tiffany fan.lol
I don’t blame you. I had a similar thing happen at a sporting venue (not smoking) and the security guard literally followed me around. I took my complaint all the way to the guy in charge of the Boston Celtics (one step below the owner and he wouldn’t give me the owners e-mail)and he never called me back. It was the last game I ever attended at the fake Boston Garden and I will never go back.
Not only that but every person I talked to on my way up acted like I committed a crime and one guy even refused to give me the next person in charges e-mail saying “why can’t you just talk to me” He was very rude. I wouldn’t want to see anyone fired but that guy should not have had a job in the first place. His name was Paul
Hey Deborah, we live in a world where one person can destroy a company’s reputation. I see on my FriendFeed where Southwest is reaching out to you on Twitter and a reply on your blog (currently in moderation). Let us know how it goes.
I hate flying!! The airlines these days make it such an unpleasant experience with all the extra charges and advertising. And this! What a terrible story!! I doubt Marion’s reaction followed airline procedure. And to think, if someone actually DID smoke on your plane, they probably heard the whole confrontation and didn’t come to your rescue. Sounds like you handled it beautifully though! You should definitely report the incident. I hope you get resolve!!
I have to say it, SMOKING is DISGUSTING!!
Is she nuts? How could the attendant never explain herself, or make a scene in front of everyone? I fly Southwest all the time, and I’ve never seen that happen. I’ve been lucky to usually have good flights. The worst I’ve seen is the folks who get drunk because they have drink coupons to use. Flying is tough enough, and when something ludicrous like that happens, I know I wouldn’t let it go either. I hope they apologize and make this up to you.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THIS WHOLE INCIDENT,DEB.
DOES MARION EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE?
YOU WOULD’NT EVEN SMOKE CIGARETTES, IF IT SMELLED AND TASTED LIKE COFFEE.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU , DEB. THIS WOMAN SHOULD BE FIRED BECAUSE SHE WAS’NT BEING VERY UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSIONATE AND PROFFESIONAL.
I HARDLY FLY,BUT THANKS FOR THE WARNING.
demanding an employee should be fired because she embarrassed you is ridiculous. she suspected you of smoking, for whatever the reason, and despite her poor handling of the situation, the passengers safety is her priority, not your feelings.
many other people suffer far worse indignities during air travel because of the way they look, or dress, where they are from, or how their name is spelled. i sincerely doubt these other employees are getting fired for what are likely prejudicial or racial practices under the guise of travel safety. i can attest these more unfortunate air travelers do NOT receive apologies for what is sadly now usual and customary treatment.
put your big girl underpants on and deal with it.
I can’t stand people like that! Whatever her reason to flip the b*tch-switch on you and make a mission out of ruining your day (not just the flight)…. The company needs to know who this woman is, and just how bad she is for business… so unprofessional of her. Aside from that? Not a nice person. I’m sure there are great people out there who need a job, who could surpass her quality of work anyday! Hire them!! Kick her butt out the door!
You should have slapped the shit out of her and set her hair on fire…then said…”Now who’s smoking?!”. hehehe!
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. That lady was very rude and SW needs to do something about this. I hope you get an apology.
Love u Deborah!
It seems like some progress shall be made with this Deborah Gibson dilemma!!
Let’s hear it for Christi!
~Bets
I do everything I can to shield my daughter from any sort of difficulties.
The airline security has in recent years become nearly intolerable for so many everyday people. I simply would never subject her to even the CHANCE of some abuse by airline or TSA employees….
I’m glad that your sister obviously has you looking out for her!!!
All the best to you and your dear sister-
~Bets
dustbury.com » Foolish beatdown
Unfortunately this sort of thing has been happening more and more recently. Debbie did nothing wrong, the whole thing is absurd and the woman sounds mentally screwed up. People doing nothing wrong getting harassed and walked all over for no reason, it’s just stupid and ridiculous.
What a terrible experience. She takes her job way too seriously. We have underwear bombers and planes falling out of the sky and she was too worried about proving that someone was smoking the bathroom.
I think Deb should report her. As a former customer service manager I would want to know if one of my employees was treating our guests like that.
My first time on your site & I think its great. It sounds like you were violated for sure. I cant imagine. It sounds like you handled the situation a lot better than I would have. I hope you get an apology. Steer clear until you do!
So terrible how you were treated. This Marion sounds like a disgruntled worker who’s been with the airline too long and needs to be let go before she goes psycho and goes on a real rampage during a flight one day and shoots everyone. Glad you brought this to SW’s attention, Deborah. Glad you decided to Stand Your Ground!
Hi Deb,
what happened to you is unbelievable, but you made the only right thing, you go public with this thing. I live in Germany and i will not use Southwest anymore till they apologize to you. PLease tell us how Southwest deal with it.
You are great Debbie.
ok,, seriously.. I have read most posts on here.. “I wont use SW again..” seems to be the common out cry.. seriously? you wont? In this economy? you will continue to use them. Yes we all agree it was a terrible thing. I have had bad flights yes, even with SWair.. but, take your good with your bad, have you had more bad one than good ones? Take the train, or bus.. THEN come back and post.
Now take this blog and reverse it, if this employee had done nothign about a smoker in the john, gassy or not.. You same people would never fly SW again.. for UNDER reacting..
Debbie, please dont think I am making light of your situation, yes it was horrible, and I cant imagine what/how you felt.
Deb, as a longtime fan of yours, I just want to say I was appalled to read this blog. You are right to be upset by that flight attendant’s persecution of you; and you are entirely justified in filing a complaint against her and wanting her fired. While maintaining airline security is important, Marion the Tyrannical Flight Attendant clearly overstepped her bounds by harassing you for an offense you didn’t commit. She clearly has some control issues that need to be addressed before she’s allowed to work with the traveling public once again. As for firing her in a bad economy, I say, “So what?” If she’s doing a bad job, she deserves to be fired no matter what shape the economy is in. I sincerely hope that Christi Day from Southwest does as she promised, and forwards your story to someone in the airline’s Customer Relations department. You are a victim of an injustice here, and you deserve a chance to have your side of the story heard by those in charge.
Good luck, Deb!