Southwest Airlines launched an investigation over a pilot who used the PA system to make anti-Joe Biden remarks.
On a 29 October morning flight from Houston to Albuquerque, the pilot finished his announcement to passengers with the right-wing chant “Let’s Go Brandon”, an infamous euphemism for “Fuck Joe Biden”. Per the account of passenger Colleen Long, an Associated Press reporter, there were audible gasps from a myriad of passengers right after the pilot finished the announcement. Long attempted to interview the pilot over the comment, but the cockpit was locked, and she was “almost removed” from the flight.
Southwest Airlines has made a statement regarding the incident:
The Southwest team takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, safe and respectful environment for the millions of customers who fly with us each year. Southwest does not condone employees sharing their personal political opinions while on the job serving our customers, and one employee’s individual perspective should not be interpreted as the viewpoint of Southwest and its collective 54,000 Employees. Southwest is conducting an internal investigation into the recently reported event and will address the situation directly with any Employee involved while continuing to remind all Employees that public expression of personal opinions while on duty is unacceptable. Southwest does not tolerate any behavior that encourages divisiveness, as it does not reflect the Southwest Hospitality and inclusiveness for which we are known and strive to provide each day on every flight.
Last week, a union representing United Airlines iterated that radio frequencies for emergencies are “not to be used as a personal pulpit”, referring to an incident where someone transmitted “Let’s Go Brandon” on an emergency frequency. But many conservatives support the pilot making political statements, given that they tend to view outlets like the Associated Press as enemies of the people and that they believe corporations are pushing a left-wing agenda.