[bcmtink]

I would like to begin my complaint with an introduction. My name is Brenda. I am a 35 year old female with a zest for life. I hold one bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. I currently work with children as I am a teacher in an elementary school. I am not a rule-breaker and adhere to the laws that govern the United States. I have never been arrested nor have I ever been threatened to be arrested. I am of stable mind and have never been prescribed mood-altering pharmaceuticals. My point is clear; I am an educated, stable person.

The above description is an odd way to begin a letter of complaint; however I feel it is necessary to qualify my frame of mind. I would also like to state that this was my first time flying with Alaskan Airlines.

My trip was suppose to begin on Thursday, September 13 on a 1pm, flight from Las Vegas to Seattle; however my flight did not board until 2:30pm. My flight was an hour and half delayed. I proceed to the gate and had an excellent flight. In particular, the male flight attendant servicing the first class section was kind and extremely attentive. He was, by far, the best flight attendant I have ever flown with.

After having a wonderful trip to Seattle, I approached the gate to board the 7 pm flight to return to Las Vegas and again there was a delay. I believe the delay was approximately an hour. I boarded the plane with my travel companion, Travis, as instructed. The flight attendant that I am writing this complaint about, Sheri Shane, said, “No rush, we don’t even have a pilot yet.”

As I was sitting in the first row of seats, I could not place my personal belongs under the seat in front of me. From previous experience on other flights where you are permitted to put your belongs under your seat, I attempted to place my things under my seat as I pulled out items from my bag to be used for comfort and entertainment on the flight. As I was sitting on the floor the flight attendant, approached me and my companion in a very intimidating manner and said, “All this stuff here (as she pointed to my personal belongings) needs to in an overhead compartment.” I had to wait until the plane was finished being boarded before I would follow her instructions. Although I did not appreciate her demeanor and approach, I put the items in the overhead compartments and sat in my seat. The flight attendant asked me and my companion what we wanted to drink. I asked her if my pillow and blanket were a problem. She proceeds to tell me in a loud voice “my attitude was the problem.” This was quite shocking as I did not raise my voice when I spoke with her. She proceeded to tell me that I could take another flight because she was not putting up with me all night. She went on to say that since 9-11, she doesn’t have to take my attitude. During her rant, I was silent and did not utter one word. She then went on to challenge me by asking if I had a problem and needed to be escorted off the plane. I did not answer so she repeated the question. I then told her that I did not have a problem, as I needed to be in Las Vegas in the morning. This event transpired in front of all passengers and needless to say was very embarrassing. In fear of her reaction, I spoke minimally and did not ask for any refreshments or snacks for the entire flight. I was quite shocked that she would continue to service the area in which I was seated as there were 2 to 3 other flight attendants.

On the flight home, she spoke with the passengers across from me for the entire flight. She told them her last name, her home base, her maiden name, the fact that she was divorced and had two kids. In my opinion, this is a classic example of inappropriate conversation during working hours. She went on to say that her mother must have thought that she was going to be a “Vegas Pole-Dancer”, because she named her Sheri Shane. She also stated that she “only pole-dances recreationally” She seemed to provide them with excellent entrainments as well as service. She then asked them to contact Alaskan Airlines with accolades regarding her level of service.

After the flight, I took one hour to get our luggage.

1) In my opinion, Sheri should have approached me initially with this statement, “Can I help you put your belonging in the overhead compartment?” This is a much friendlier approach than the one that was utilized.
2) Sheri Shane went from 0 to 10 very quickly and my behavior did not warrant being threatened to be removed from the plane.
3) Sheri Shane’s behavior was unstable and her conversation with passengers was inappropriate. Frankly after 10pm, I prefer the cabin to be quiet so that I can sleep. I certainly would not expect the flight attendant to speak to a passengers seated across from me for the entire flight (no exaggeration).
4) Finally, if a passenger’s behavior is so bad that it warrants a threat of removal, wouldn’t it make sense for the flight attendants to switch positions?
5) Bringing up 9-11 is completely inappropriate- I am not a terrorist; nor did a present myself as one.

By far, this flight gave me the worst and most uncomfortable feeling. I felt as though from my initial encounter with Sheri Shane I was scolded as one might scold a child. I was afraid to speak or even ask for a beverage. Most importantly, I was so frustrated and embarrassed that I sat in my seat and wept. It felt horrible to be threatened to be “escorted” off the plane. In retrospect, I wish that I would have gotten off the flight and missed a day of work.

[Gromit801]

So after all of that, did you contact Alaska Airlines about the FA?

[azgilbertboi]

Question from reading your thread. When she asked you if you would like anything to drink, did you reply with the question "Is my pillow and blanket a problem?". I mean, I would have taken that in the wrong way if I heard that.

[roadwarrior666]

Hey,
This woman sounds like a typical Seattle BITCH to me! I think as a general rule flight attendants are kind of rude, but then they have to put up with a lot of people, and putting up with people is not fun.

I feel bad you had to go through this, and unfortunately this is one time where you have to just deal with it because if you DARE speak back to these a-holes, you get booted off the plane.

Alaska airlines is horrible....fly Delta and you will be fine.