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A Southwest Airlines pilot, whose profane rant against gays, the obese and the elderly was broadcast over an air-traffic control frequency, has issued a written apology to his co-workers.
Captain James Fritzen Taylor said he is “forever changed” by the incident, which gained national attention, and that he “has learned a much-needed lesson to be more sensitive of others.”
James Taylor
June 28, 2011To All Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants and all Employees:
Because of the impact of my comments, I wanted to communicate with you directly.
Please accept my most sincere apology for the inappropriate and disrespectful remarks I made in March with an open microphone. I deeply regret the derogatory remarks I made and the hurt I have caused — I take full responsibility for those comments.
It was truly insensitive of me and I would like all of you to know that from now on, I will show nothing but the utmost respect during my interactions with all employees.
In addition, I would like to extend a special apology to all Flight Attendants, and especially those of Houston. I hope you will allow me to maintain a working relationship with all of you that will provide me the opportunity to extend an individual, personal apology to each one of you whenever we fly together.
Please know that this event has forever changed me and I hope that others can learn from my mistake.
I have learned a much-needed lesson to be more sensitive of others and I hope you will see me as a more tolerant and considerate person.
I am proud to be employed by Southwest Airlines and I am committed to representing our Company, and its employees in the most professional way possible.
With My Sincere Regards,
Captain James Taylor
In a March incident, Taylor did not realize that his microphone was still on, and while describing his intentions of partying with co-workers, bemoaned that his colleagues were either too gay, too heavy, or too old. You can listen to the rant here.
Taylor, based in Argyle, Texas, was suspended without pay by the airline and ordered to attend diversity training.
Filed under: Texas
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Interesting… I don’t know if he meant it but hopefully he did. Wouldn’t that be nice?…
Apologizing only after one receives negative consequences for his actions only serves to strip whatever sincerity the apology could of possessed. *Sigh*
he’s only sorry he got caught
“…Forever changed…blah, blah” This is BS, I do not buy his apology
He’s “forever changed” because his wallet became one with less change.
He was stating his true feelings which only showed his true self. Him being ‘forever changed’ is like a tiger trying to change his stripes!
Whenever I see/hear these “apologies” for the idiot homophobic/myogynist bigots, my response is, well if you truly regret your words, then apologize with actions not just words. Begin with speaking with family, friends & colleagues, work with groups to bring about improvement & change.
“I’m Forever Changed” LMAO……. Yeah, Right!!!
He should have to spend time at a nursing home, time with a person with an eating disorder and help with a pride parade. Walk the mile in their shoes, then maybe, just maybe he would be “changed” He would then possible see that he is def no better than any of us and does not have the right to judge.
It’s a sad reflection of human nature that we actually have courses dedicated to “train” you to accept diversity. It *should* be inherent.
I hope this helps….xo
I’ma wary of people who say things like “forever changed” or “born again” or any of those marketing stunts a la Oprah.
“forever changed”… until the next outburst comes along
If he’s not sincere then his life going forward as “a more tolerant and considerate person” will only be hurtful to himself. Also, if he’s not sincere, wouldn’t the best punishment be showing kindness to him for his “enlightenment” even if you think he’s lying?
He’s only apologizing for being overheard!
More “tolerant”? Complete and total jerk with no regard for anyone but himself. You don’t need to be tolerant towards gays, obese, and elderly. You should be on the same level, accepting and welcoming. Newsflash: your passengers had to be very tolerable towards your ridiculously cruel and insensitive speech and your only sorry that you almost lost your lifts career as a commercial airline pilot. Live southwest, just not you
*Lifes
forever changed huh? -.- just like mel gibson right?
For a group of people who are judged all the time, you sure are unforgiving. According to you no one could possible be sorry unless no one was aware they did anything wrong. That’s a sad way to live. You are judging this man based off of two minutes of his life. What if someone judged you based off the two worst minutes of your life. I’m sure it wouldn’t be pretty.
Cheyenne patronizing again… please, piss off.
Yeah, I’m patronizing because I don’t think someone should be judged off of two minutes. I guess if you think being patronizing is someone telling you they think your being unforgiving and judgemental. I call it sticking up for someone when they can’t stick up for themselves
Cheyenne you go girl.
Martin the fact you are trying to deny another person of their right to make comment HERE of all places makes me sad.
To everyone else why can’t we accept an apology? He is trying to better, he has offered every single person a personal apology that he hurt. Maybe he isn’t sincere, if so I feel truly sorry for him. However until he proves to be the uncommitted person you all think he is give the man a chance.
I don’t know the man. I don’t care to. But I do believe, having worked in human resources for a number of years these kinds of “apologies” are required to keep your job. So do I believe this was written from the heart because he truly is sorry he offended people? No. I believe he is sorry he got in trouble and he wants to keep his job.
He may moderate his behavior in the future, which would be an improvement. But I don’t believe he would have written this letter if he hadn’t faced termination.
This is the equivalent of a child forced by his mommy to say he’s sorry for calling his brother stupid. He said it because he was pressured to, not because he’s any less of a bigot than he was before.
How is it that you can use 2 minutes of this homophobe’s life and think it means that he really isn’t the homophobe that he is? This man doesn’t need you “saving him.” He’s an adult and can take care of himself. He doesn’t need you being co-dependent with him.