[unhappy_camper]

How would I go about filing a discimination complaint? On the flight they were treating me like crap because I wear a head scarf and also never thanked me as I stepped off the plane as they do to other fliers. I want to do something about this. Where can I file a complaint?

[PHXFlyer]

Continental Airlines
Attn: Anne Munoz
Director, customer care
1600 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

[unhappy_camper]

Thanks. Do I include the flight number?

[PHXFlyer]

Include all relevant details: Date, time, city of origin and destination, flight number, your ticket/confirmation number, names of those involved if you got any or descriptions such as which cabin they worked in, general appearance, etc.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

If the issue is, primarily, that you were ignored then point-out customers directly in front, in back, or across the aisle from you that were responded to. If any, or all, of these customers were white point that out. Likewise the airline will be quick to point-out any customers of a minority race they served. If you were able to make a request of any of the cabin crew, and you were refused, or ignored, then, again, point out any customers you observed who's similiar requests appeared to be complied with.

The notification to Customer Service should only be in the form of a "carbon copy" of a complaint to the Aviation Consumer Section of the US Dept. of Transportation ("DOT"). Continental's idea of a "response" to your complaint may, at best, be giving you some worthless travel vouchers. The only thing US-based airlines understand nowdays are fines and enforcement action from the DOT. Complaint letters may, indeed, be a source of amusement for some airlines.

Lastly, DO NOT say anything about the fact that the cabin crew did not say thank you or good bye when you left the plane. As you probably know, in and of itself, this omission is not a basis for a discrimination complaint. Accordingly such a comment may act to discredit your complaint rather than bolster it.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy Slept Here

If the issue is, primarily, that you were ignored then point-out customers directly in front, in back, or across the aisle from you that were responded to. If any, or all, of these customers were white point that out. Likewise the airline will be quick to point-out any customers of a minority race they served. If you were able to make a request of any of the cabin crew, and you were refused, or ignored, then, again, point out any customers you observed who's similiar requests appeared to be complied with.

The OP merely stated that she wore a head scarf. That fact alone does not necessarily mean that she is a racial minority.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

First I think it's reasonable to assume the head scarf was for religious reasons as opposed to some medical reason, such as chemotherapy. Accordingly the primary basis of this complaint should be religious discrimination, rather than racial discrimination. So if anyone wearing Jewish Orthodox headwear was observed being served that would be relevant in this instance. Still, depending on how this woman might be perceived, and more particularly, how she perceives herself, an additional complaint on racial discrimination is still an option. "Asian and Pacific Islander" is a "protected class" under Federal Civil Rights statutes. I don't know what class would apply if she is of North African origin.

[Silent Bob]

Its true the head scarf would be more in the lines of religion as opposed to race, however I would agree with Butch in that the OP would need to show some sort of proof that she was singled out because she was wearing a scarf and that might be very difficult to prove, unless the OP has witnesses to back it up. This would mean collecting phone numbers and emails from those passengers who witnessed the discrimination and are willing to speak in your behalf.

As for the saying good bye part? Yea you can leave that out, don't take it personal I don't get the goodbyes as often. Me personally, I don't care, I usually just give a nod and I'm off.

[Leatherboy2006]

When my sister was going through chemo for breast cancer she wore a scarf (on days she wasn't up to wearing a wig). Why was OP wearing scarf?

[PHXFlyer]

The OP specifically used the term "head scarf." With that and the fact she felt discriminated against we are assuming the head scarf is a religious garment, possibly Muslim.

[unhappy_camper]

Hello! Thank you for your kind replies. I am an American by birth but I am a racial minority and I am Muslim. I was treated poorly on the plane and the food that I was given had a small piece of bacon on my salad. I strictly ordered a vegetarian meal. I was very upset because in my religion we can not eat pork. Also, I would ask for drinks and never get them and the flight attendants never offered me drinks but would bypass my seat. I was very offended by all of this. So, am I to write to this lady at continental by mail and also DOT? What is their contact information at DOT? I am finding all of this overwhelming and glad that I found a place to get the appropriate information. Thank you all very much!

[abutterfinger25]

Originally Posted by unhappy_camper

Hello! Thank you for your kind replies. I am an American by birth but I am a racial minority and I am Muslim. I was treated poorly on the plane and the food that I was given had a small piece of bacon on my salad. I strictly ordered a vegetarian meal. I was very upset because in my religion we can not eat pork. Also, I would ask for drinks and never get them and the flight attendants never offered me drinks but would bypass my seat. I was very offended by all of this. So, am I to write to this lady at continental by mail and also DOT? What is their contact information at DOT? I am finding all of this overwhelming and glad that I found a place to get the appropriate information. Thank you all very much!

Complaints to DOT can be sent to http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm

[unhappy_camper]

Thank you so much.