Southwest Airlines: ‘What he said is offensive’

A Southwest pilot made misogynetic and homophobic remarks over an air traffic control frequency. The airline suspended the pilot and has apologized to its employees and customers.

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Media outlets are reporting about a Southwest pilot who on March 25 unleashed a homophobic and misogynistic rant that could be heard over the air traffic control frequency in Houston.

The unidentified pilot was speaking to his co-pilot, “expressing frustration over the airline hiring so many flight attendants that he found unsuitable for dating,” reports CBS 2 in Houston.

“A continuous stream of gays and grannies and grandes,” the pilot said.

This occurred in 2011, mind you.

The rant drew rebukes from other pilots listening to the conversation and some strong words from the FAA. The agency said it expects “a higher level of professionalism from flight crews, regardless of the circumstances.”

Southwest issued a statement on Wednesday in which it said the company reputation is built on the Golden Rule. The company said:

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