Schumer Calls Flight Attendant a "Bitch" For Enforcing Cell Phone Rules

Sen. Chuck Schumer loves the sound of his own voice, but it carried a bit farther than he might have liked on the US Airways shuttle from New York to Washington on Sunday.

According to a House Republican aide who happened to be seated nearby, the notoriously chatty New York Democrat referred to a flight attendant as a "bitch" after she ordered him to turn off his phone before takeoff.

Schumer and his seatmate, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), were chatting on their phones before takeoff when an announcement indicated that it was time to turn off the phones….

"The senator made an off-the-cuff comment under his breath that he shouldn't have made, and he regrets it," Schumer spokesman Brian Fallon told Shenanigans.

Stay classy, Chuck!

Whole bit here, from Politico.

Comments

[TheZeitgeist]

What a nice, elitist prick.

[kwais]

See this is why they need private jets.

[Nancy Pelosi]

That's why I demanded a bigger jet. Because I'm more important than you regular people.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to tell my maid to polish my Cesar Chavez awards, and tell my non-union grape pickers to get back to work.

[Pablo]

Can someone call him a bitch, seeing as how he's working on a pretty good rack himself?

[db]

It's all that cocaine.

[Chaz Bono]

And the Hormones...

[Dr. Rockso]

Did someone mention cocaine?

[Hyperion]

Chuckie Schumer is a biiaatchhh!!!!

[Groovus Maximus]

Caption Contest:

"Damn straight my moobs put Nancy's and Babs's to shame, girlfriend!"

[newshutz]

No, because that would be 'lookism'

You can call him a bitch, because he is a bitch.

[Episiarch]

Chuck is a renowned asshole; this should surprise no one.

"Chuck. You know what that rhymes with, right?"

[Chuck]

Rich ???

[Frank]

It's a MANSIERE!

[Cosmo Kramer]

Me? I wear a Bro!

[P Brooks]

Next time, it'll be, "Turn yer phone off, DUMBASS."

[WoodChipperBob]

If I were an airline CEO, I would make it official policy for my flight attendants that if Chuck Schumer is on your flight and he doesn't turn off his cell phone when initially instructed, the *only* authorized second instruction to him is, "Turn your phone off, you self-centered bitch."

[Liberace]

This guy is sooooo GAY!

[GentlemanFromHanover]

Please do not say such derogatory and offensive things about gays. I know a few that are "soooo gay" and I do not appreciate them being compared to the demon-like gentleman from N.Y.

[Frank]

I object to you calling this scum a gentleman.

[highnumber]

Holy cow! What a story!
Why should I care if somebody muttered something under their breath at somebody?

[ChicagoTom]

Come on now highnumber...

He's a "liberal" and a democratic politician who was offended by the fact that the rules for little people apply to him.

This is exactly the kind of "news" Reason lives for.

It's a water is wet story -- but since it's Schumer (someone libertarians can't stand) it's a huge deal that he has an ego and considers himself above the rules.

[The Libertarian Guy]

It would be just as bad as Senator [insert criminal] (R) [insert state] had done something similar.

The fact that it's an idiot - and he is, let's face it, the man is NOT bright at all - AND a Democrat, just makes it jucier.

After all, his party is *supposed* to be about not making sexist, hateful remarks... but, here we are, and here he is, faking an apology for something he shouldn't have done and for which he is really likely not that sorry for having done.

You are right about the "above the rules" part, though. Shame that most politicians - R or D - consider themselves above the rest of us, rules or otherwise.

[highnumber]

I'm not even sure that this demonstrates Schumer's large ego or anything like that. For all we know, Schumer was wrapping up what he thought to be an important phone call, could have been in the middle of saying goodbye and hanging up the phone, when the flight attendant got really snarky with him. We weren't there and anyway, even if we were, hearing someone mutter "bitch" under his breath doesn't tell you anything about him other than a hint about his mood at that moment.

But, like you say, he is a Democrat and a politician, so he's subhuman and entirely reprehensible.

[The Libertarian Guy]

Most politicians are reprehensible and subhuman, highnumber. Didn't you get the memo?

[Tulpa]

His breath must be pretty loud if someone sitting across the plane from him could hear him mutter under his breath.

[The Libertarian Guy]

It fits the general M.O. of the modern politician, Tulpa.

Add "power corrupts", and sprinkle liberally - pun intended - resulting in yet another Schumer shit souffle.

[Warty]

Er ist in der Tat ein Untermenschen. Wir mussen die Schumeren ausrotten!

[Adolf Heinrich Goebbels]

Wass? Warum? Die meiste hier spreche Deutsch nicht!

[J sub D]

If he'd have muttered "fucking nigger" would you care about that?

It shows that he's an elitist prick that thinks he is above the rules imposed by him and his fellow legilators.

[highnumber]

Hardly equivalent. Would you manufacture the same outrage if he called someone a prick?

[G Mc]

"According to a House Republican aide..."

Yikes, Reason.

[briareus]

Seriously.

I know it's but a blog, but that sort of thing has me on tenderfeet waiting for Perez Hilton to start contributing to Hit&Run;.

[Taz]

Godwin says DRINK!

[briareus]

As a tall white devil of german blood, I am insulted by your remark. Don't make me stuff you into my little oven.

[Groovus Maximus]

Will you serve the roast on real bone china?

[CTHORM@IBIS]

The spokesman didn't exactly suggest it was false...

[The Libertarian Guy]

The source must've been on the level; Schumer (or, rather, a spokesmouthpiece) apologized for his behavior.

Guilty!

[briareus]

Coming from the closest thing we have in the Senate to an American Nazi, Chuck Schumer harassing someone for 'just following orders' is hilarious hypocrisy.

[P Brooks]

The real story is that some random nobody who called the waitress a bitch would have left that plane in manacles.

[MNG]

Do you really think something that stupid? That muttering "bitch" under your breath would get you dragged off in manacles?

Dude, do you have to rent shoes to hyperbole like that?

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

Hyperbole? Yeah, but not quite as much as you might think:

1411 Interference With Flight Crew Members or Flight Attendants?49 U.S.C. 46504
One who assaults, threatens, or intimidates a flight crew member or attendant while aboard an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, and thereby interferes with the performance of that crew member's duties or lessens the ability of that crew member to perform his/her duties is punishable under this subsection. See United States v. Meeker, 527 F.2d 12 (9th Cir. 1975). A violation of 49 U.S.C. ? 46504 is a general intent crime; it does not require any specific intent to intimidate or to interfere with the flight crew member or attendant. See United States v. Grossman, 131 F.3d 1449, 1451-52 (11th Cir. 1997); United States v. Compton, 5 F.3d 358, 360 (9th Cir. 1993); United States v. Hicks, 980 F.2d 963 (5th Cir. 1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 941, 507 U.S. 998 (1993); United States v. Meeker, supra, 527 F.2d at 14.

I think P Brooks' point may be that something like this would fall under prosecutorial "discretion", and most prosecutors would let a U.S. Senator slide on something they would prosecute an ordinary citizen for.

Likely in this case? I would guess not. But definitely possible.

[MNG]

Saying bitch under your breath is not an assault or a threat, but I guess what he did might have been "interfering with the performance of their duty", but I seriously think that it's far fetched to think you'd get manacled for that...

[briareus]

I think you'd say the exact opposite if it was Karl Rove or Cheney or someone you hate who said the same as Schumer.

I think you'd be the one linking the statute. Assuming you knew how to find a statute.

[MNG]

Back when everyone was running around talking about how Bush was Hitler and he was turning this nation into a fascist state I said frequently here on H&R that was retarded. Hyperbole is stupid either way. Airport security is a pain, but it is not Stalingrad...

[CTHORM@IBIS]

Yeah, at Stalingrad the people fighting the Nazis won.

[The Libertarian Guy]

MNG, how many kids - kids! - have been denied flights because they have the same name as some TSA-flagged bad guy?

Or adults, for that matter?

This is part of a huge problem: People like Schumer get away with shit We Ordinary Non-Powerful Folk can't skate past. If Chuck U. were just another schlump, say maybe an insurance claims adjuster, or a truck driver... well, you can see where that's going.

[MNG]

WTF did he "get away with?" She told him to get off his phone, he complained and cut it off. If "just another truck driver did the same the result would be the same...

[The Libertarian Guy]

Way to stand up for one of your fellow travelers, MNG.

[The Libertarian Guy]

Airport security is a pain, but it is not Stalingrad... yet.

FIFY, MNG.

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

Nowadays such a thing is widely regarded as "intimidating". I agree that is ridiculous, but it's a popular view.

Again, I don't contend that it's a guaranteed arrest. But it's definitely possible. For the commoners, that is.

[Tulpa]

What is this "under your breath" thing that's cropped up here all of the sudden? Someone ACROSS THE AISLE FROM HIM heard it. That's not "under your breath".

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Just curious, did you RTFA? I did this morning. He got multiple warnings to turn off his cell. Eventually, the stew told him that he was delaying the flight by being non-compliant. He then spent several minutes arguing FAA rules with her before supposedly complying while muttering "bitch". Several minutes later, his f***in' cell rang. Rather than being embarrassed, he said "It's Harry Reid. I guess healthcare will have to wait till we land" while glaring at her. Joe 6 would have been having a word with the air marshal by then, I assure you.

[BakedPenguin]

I was on a flight where someone was removed for doing just that. He didn't call the attendant a "bitch", either, he just tried to finish his phone call.

[ChicagoTom]

Do you really think something that stupid? That muttering "bitch" under your breath would get you dragged off in manacles?

Yes. It may not be very likely, but it's defiantly possible.

Dude, on air planes there is no bill of rights and you are at the mercy of the staff.

You might think you are just calling someone a "bitch" -- but they might perceive it as a threat and have you arrested.

[G Mc]

Uh, the BoR protects you from your government, not airplane staffs.

[anonymous]

I think that was the point.

[G Mc]

I don't know about that.

[The Libertarian Guy]

Shame this didn't happen to Schumer...

[MNG]

The biggest blow to Shumer in this story imo is that he admitted to it. When the evidence is "according to a House Republican aide who happened to be seated nearby" why wouldn't you just deny it? What kind of politician is this guy!

[robc]

on a complete tangent, if I ever run for office, Im going to deny nothing my opponents accuse me of. Hopefully they will accuse me of enough silly crap that the real skeletons slide right thru (skeletons? Hey, we have all done stuff we wouldnt want becoming public knowledge).

[MNG]

The real reason to dislike Chuck Shumer is that he has never given me any evidence that he has any interest in anything other than holding office seemingly for the very sake of holding office. He's so mediocre it's incredible...

[ChicagoTom]

he has never given me any evidence that he has any interest in anything other than holding office seemingly for the very sake of holding office

That's not true. He also loves the publicity of being on TV.

Bob Dole used to joke about where the most dangerous place to be in Washington is: Between Schumer and a camera/microphone!

[The Libertarian Guy]

"It's Harry Reid calling. I guess health care will have to wait until we land."

Yeah, that's a good excuse to whore for the cause, Chuck.

[GentlemanFromHanover]

What are you talking about? He definitely wants to disarm the citizenry, he wants it more than Chris "Tingles" Matthews wants a 'relationship' with the President!!

Which is hilarious and tragic considering that he treats gun owners like the flight attendant evidently treated him. (His actions are in a much more serious degree than the attendents' of course)

[GentlemanFromHanover]

I would be negligent in my principles if I didn't correct my statement -
"as he perceived the stewardess treated".. is more accurate (no need to insult the airline) The plane is their property and they can make rules. I guess the difference between myself and Schumer is that when I carry my gun onto anothers property that has prohibited it, -I- take great pains to not let them know I am breeching their rules... The arrogant gentleman from N.Y. takes pains to make sure they know he is doing it....

[Izzy]

The real reason to despise Chuck Shumer is for his dedication to gun control and his performance at the Waco hearings.

[The Libertarian Guy]

One of many reasons, Izzy. Thanks for the reminder of one of his most egregious affronts to liberty.

[Hyperion]

He sort of looks like Dorothy from that old sitcom Golden Girls, only with saggier tits and worse taste in fashion

[Lester Hunt]

There isn't a lot I know about this guy, but it all happens to be unpleasant.

[P Brooks]

Do Senators get free mammograms?

That one should.

[James]

What a pig...making that girl in the background hold his purse for him...

[MNG]

Am I the only one wondering wtf is up with the whistle with the gay pride colors lanyard?

Certainly someone here can make an entertaining post with that material...

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

The beads around his neck, too. Maybe he got those at Mardi Gras for flashing his boobs?

[Django]

and he's wearing a lavender shirt.

[EscapedWestOfTheBigMuddy]

...because piddly little federal regulation don't apply to the master class, don'ch'ya know.

Now, look Chuck. Can I call you Chuck? Most of us little people just have to live with the results of your collective mindboggling stupidity. You, however, are in a position to do something about it. So call a hearing, introduce a bill, give Harry Reid a reach-around, or whatever it is that gets things done up there on the hill, and you can fix it.

But until then, shut the fuck up, sit quietly in your seat, and suffer with the rest of us.

[Hugh Akston]

This is precisely why Congress needs its own jet. With the itinerary and manifest for each trip published in advance. And a big red bullseye painted on the belly.

[The Libertarian Guy]

Yeah... just one jet, though. A tiny one. And pack 'em in like sardines.

Literally.

[GentlemanFromHanover]

I cannot condone such suggestions.... no matter how much I may or may not like them!!

Seriously.. some guy in NH got investigated by the SS because he used the state motto.... so I recommend and advise you to avoid statements that those of low intelligence might take with less jest than was intended.

[The Libertarian Guy]

Thanks, but the SS would have to find some sort of death threat in my post above, no?

Then again, we are talking about an arm of the government, and they can and do shithammer people who disagree with them...

[Stewardess]

Turn the fucking phone off before I give you a fried egg nipple titty twister, you smug prick. Who gave you those beads pretty boy, Barney? Perhaps you're hiding those beads elsewhere? (wink). No really, turn the phone off, assface.

[*]

Who knew Nick Gillespie was a flight attendant for US Airways?

[jester]

It sucks to be told what to do by someone intellectually inferior.

Chuck had to feel what we all feel when we're subject to most of his assinine legislative 'work'.

[MJ]

How can you insult that poor flight attendent by calling Schumer her intellectual superior?

[GentlemanFromHanover]

Second!

[jester]

ye hardly know me. Take your irony pills otherwise.

[TrickyVic]

Two things in play, FAA rules, and carrier rules. The flight attendants should follow both. This is a site that has a distaste for authority figures that make up their own rules to enforce, in this case the authority is the flight attendant.

Since carrier rules can't usurp FAA rules, what it the carrier's rule?

"No changes to the pre-departure cell phone usage policy have been made.
Airways customers still can use cellular phones and other approved
electronic devices until the aircraft door is closed."
http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi.....mp;EDATE;=

Schumer was correct. He knew the rules and she didn't. He followed her order anyway. I would have called her a bitch under my breath too. I bet the House republican that heard it would have.

[TrickyVic]

My original post was caught in a spam filter. Maybe the webmaster will pass it through.

Schumer was correct, US Airways allows cell phone use as long as the door is open.

Attendants are in an authoritative position. Don't obey them and guys with guns can arrive and you go to jail.

So if authority tells you can't do something that you know the rules allow, must you obey? If you do, should you at least call them a bitch under their breath.

I think Schumer is a jerk. But this isn't an example. It's an attempt at cheap political points.

[Tulpa]

I believe Schumer was sitting in US Airways property. Damn right he should do as he's told.

And really, muttering an epithet is not a mature or manly response to the situation. What if there were kids or sensitive people around him on the flight? Especially someone who's a public figure should exercise more caution about what they're heard to say OVER THEIR BREATH.

[GentlemanFromHanover]

I don't think there are points to lose for "pro-Schumer", nor are there any more to gain for "anti-Schumer"...
I don't know who the hell votes only on such a side-show issue, I think most people just find it comical...

[The Libertarian Guy]

MediaMorons standing up for Chucky:

http://mediamatters.org/blog/200912160015

Not at all surprising.

[MNG]

Did you read the thing you linked to? It doesn't seem to involve any "standing up" for Shumer at all. It's about implicating that woman appointed to take HRC's spot.

What easily manufactured outrage you have!

[The Libertarian Guy]

MM glossed over Chucky's idiocy. THAT part, apparently, flew over your head, MNG.

[highnumber]

I am amazed by you, The Libertarian Guy.

[The Libertarian Guy]

Thanks. 'Preciate it.

[highnumber]

Why?

[The Libertarian Guy]

What, it wasn't a compliment?

[The Libertarian Guy]

Hey, I just checked the MM entry, and none of the commenters have taken Schumer to task for his use of foul language.

Not surprising, unfortunately.

[Keith]

Chuck should be able to bypass the cell phone rule. He has things to do, countries to destroy, etc.

[Groovus Maximus]

Like ours?

[robc]

If you stick it in your pocket, they never know that your phone is still on. Well, as long as it doesnt ring.

[robc]

Also, when I flew two weekends ago, I failed to put my liquids in a clear baggy, and they went right thru.

[Pope Jimbo]

Ever since I spent part of my youth working in the air traffic control biz, I have a hard time with flying (trust me ignorance is bliss).

I was heart broken when the stupid liquids rule went into effect because it meant I couldn't bring my bottle of liquid flying courage to the gate with me.

Luckily I have found that the only thing they seem to object to is my effort to bring one big bottle of hooch with me. Now, I just put a bunch of 3 oz plastic bottles full of Irish whiskey into my plastic bag and everyone is happy.

I've heard that you are only supposed to be allowed a certain number of these bottles, but I have gone through with as many as six of them with no one caring.

[TrickyVic]

If the door was open. He wasn't bypassing the rules. He was exercising what the rules allowed.

"US Airways customers still can use cellular phones and other approved
electronic devices until the aircraft door is closed."

http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi.....mp;EDATE;=

[GentlemanFromHanover]

My friend has a drug conviction, if he tries to do the same by going to the gun store and putting money on the counter, he'd be arrested, despite the clear statements protecting his rights within the constitution.
He and I drove an hour away to a range then only I could shoot (which I didn't, because I'm not enough of a jerk to make him wait) for nothing, all because he didn't tell me about his past. So yeah, I guess I have a little bit of bitterness toward the dishonorable gentleman from N.Y.

[GentlemanFromHanover]

In other words, I hope you're right and I hope he got a little taste of his own medicine, but I suspect that the issuing of that statement by his office proves he was not just "exercising what the rules allowed".

[TrickyVic]

Let's say your friend didn't have a drug conviction. If he could legally apply for a gun as was told no, he would probably have a few words under his breath, maybe over his breath about the guy obstructing his lawful act.

Rightly so.

[Mr. Chartreuse]

Alt text: "He's not wearing the ribbon!"

[Colin]

I don't like Schumer or condone what he did. But I understand it.

[captain crayon]

Reason got paid by Big Cloning to do an anti-Schumer article after a Schumer clone got sent back in time via time machine supplied by Big Time Machine Company, and the clone called the stewardess a bitch!

I have proof!

[SugarFree]

Really, guys? Really?

She don't wear no pants and she don't wear no tie
Always on the ball, she's always on strike
Struttin' up the aisle, big deal, you get to fly
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky

Paid my fare, don't wanna complain
You get to me, you're always outta champagne
Treat me like a bum, don't wear no tie
'cause you ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky

And the sign says, "Thank you very much for not smoking"
My own sign says, "I'm sorry, I'm smokin'"
Don't treat me special, don't kiss my ass
Treat me like the way they treat 'em up in first class

Sanitation expert and a maintenance engineer
Garbage man, a janitor and you my dear
A real union flight attendant, my oh my
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky

[Just Saying]

What do you think Chuckie is in that photo, a B cup or a C cup?

[Michael]

I don't understand the hoopla. He called a flight Attendant a bitch, somtimes they are. At least he didn't tell her to "go fuck yourself."

[ola]

Looks like chuck forgot his mansiere. C'mon chuck you're to old to go broless.

[PR]

the stewardess should have replied:
what did jew say?

[John C. Randolph]

She should have thrown his smug ass off that plane. Go into any other place of business, call some woman working there a "bitch", and see if they let you remain on the premises.

-jcr

[michael ace]

she should have just b**** slapped him--then have the pilot remove him from the plane then sued him for 100-million $$$ to get back our tax $$$$ from the Ben Nelson bribe

[accident attorney brooklyn]

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