Here's an awkward sign of the apocalypse: You might actually agree with Glenn Beck on something. Apparently, the radical conspiracy-theorist conservative/fundamentalist Christian mouthpiece is now boycotting American Airlines after he says he was treated rudely on a recent flight because of his political views.
Beck, on his radio show on Tuesday, claimed that an attendant on a flight from New York City to Texas refused to open his drink for him or speak politely even though that courtesy was given to other passengers (video below).
"My flight attendant nearly ‑‑ merely barked the word "breakfast" when he came to me," he said on his show. "When others were politely asked if they cared for anything to eat and given the choices, I was just barked at. When he delivered a soda, he slammed it down so hard, I hesitated to even open the can for fear that it would spray all over other passengers in the cabin. By the way, the other passengers, nobody else had to open their can. He opened it and poured it for them. Never once did he look me in the eye. Never once did he offer a kind or even a neutral word to me. I had service unlike I have never had ever before in my life, and I have had rude service before. I lived in New York City. I have never had service that was specifically designed to make me feel subhuman. Oh, I had it. He put on quite a show as he fawned over the other passengers proudly and loudly performing his life story about being a former Israeli soldier and how he was so proud of the very liberal cities in America."
Beck mounted an attack on Twitter to tell of his ordeal. "I hope I am the last person who has to experience this type of treatment on AmericanAir," said Beck.
Tuesday, American Airlines responded, sending an apology via Twitter. "We're sorry for the experience Mr. Beck had on his trip. We've reached out to his office & are actively looking into this."
Later spokesman Matt Miller said the following: "We are sorry for the experience Mr. Beck had on a recent flight. The comfort and satisfaction of our customers are very important priorities to us and we take these matters seriously. We have reached out to Mr. Beck's office and are actively looking into the situation."
Labor Day weekend was also not kind to the talk-show host. The media personality faced off with New Yorkers while in town for the holiday.
Beck used to live in Manhattan, but he and his family moved to Dallas - where he opened his GBTV studios - last year. On Tuesday, he told listeners that his recent visit to the city reminded him "why [he] was so glad to move out of New York City," which he said has become a "vile and hateful place."
Note: As New Yorkers here at Books & Review, we'd like to remind Mr. Beck that this city has always been a vile and hateful place, thank you.
Beck claimed that he was treated with disdain at several different restaurants, beginning with dinner at a barbecue spot on Friday night. He said that he got a look from the staff that read "how dare you even come in here."
According to Beck, the rest of the weekend was pretty similar. "I was openly mocked by the patrons, and my wife was begging to leave as she heard the wait staff and management gasp in horror that they actually had to serve me," he said about breakfast the next day. "Lunch was no different."
The host directed the rest of his ire at American Airlines, which he said treated him like a "subhuman" on the plane. Beck said that his flight attendent "barked" at him and "slammed" a soda in front of him, while treating other passengers courteously.
"Are they happy that other conservatives even fly in their planes?" he continued. "I know yesterday I did have a choice and I chose wrong... And my family will never choose American Airlines again."
Beck has blasted New Yorkers before. Shortly before moving to Dallas, he recounted an angry exchange with a neighbor that prompted him to declare that "it's the people who wreck" the city. He also complained about a couple listening in on his conversation, and said that he and his family were attacked at an outdoor movie screening last summer.
While you might not agree with the politics behind his statements, but does Beck have a point here? Is it wrong to treat someone with scorn just because you disagree with their politics, however strongly you feel, or however despicable those opinions are? Let us know in the comments.
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