[ElbielyS]

I was taking a flight from Houston, Texas to Lafayette, Louisiana on Monday December 15 . I was seated in A12 on flight # CO9507Y. This is an emergency exit. I travel extensively throughout the year and have sat in the Emergency Exit seating many times. I have read the instructions regarding the responsibilities on many other major airlines also and feel quite confident I can perform the tasks if required. The flight attendance came to my seat and asked with a very loud voice “Mame, do you feel comfortable seated beside the emergency exit?” I answered: Yes, sir. Then he asked me if my English is ok? I answered Yes. Then he asked if I would pick up the emergency exit procedure booklet and read it. I reached for it, even though I already read the booklet, and before I had it in my hand, he raised his voice to me saying “Mame, I don’t feel comfortable with you in this seat, can you move to another seat.” I moved as he asked.
After I sat in my new seat, I asked was there a problem. He stated still using a raised voice, “When I asked you to read the Instructions booklet you where looking for it!!” I replied,”What do you mean? You asked me to read it, so I was reaching for it to take out of the seat so I can read it.” He replied, ”Yes, but the way your hand was reaching for it says that you don’t look like you know what are you doing!!” At this point I stopped talking and said with a very calm voice” Sir, what’s your name?”He wasn’t wearing a name tag that I saw. The flight attendant raised his voice to me saying that if I want to push this subject he would call the security agent to remove me off the flight. I replied, “Sir, I know the rules and I don’t feel comfortable with you yelling at me this way so can you call the security agent, I think I need to speak to them.” He then stated in an angry tone”You don’t make decisions I do!”, then he walked away.
I am from an Arabic origin living and working here in the United States over 8 years. I feel that your flight attendant treated me differently and rudely than if I was an American traveling in the same seat. The attendant had no cause to raise his voice to me, switch me from a seat that I was assigned, or continue embarrassing me in front of other travelers. The people seated around me all commented that I should report this incident to the airline. Many of which also stated they would be more than happy to give a statement regarding this treatment if contacted. I understand this is the holiday season and everyone may be working at a higher stress level than usual but there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed with dealing with people. I feel that this flight attendant was unnecessarily rude and harboring cultural prejudices.
I was dissatisfied with my flight that was canceled and caused me to be put on standby over a 2 hours later, then wait another 3 hours due to the pilot not being available. I wasn’t happy that my flight was diverted to Baton Rouge and had to wait there for almost another hour in a closed airport due to weather either. These things weren’t as bad as the treatment I received from your employee.