United Settles "Cockpit Porn" Case

[B727Driver]

Rake,

It's about the male-dominated airline industry she mentions. Personally, I didn't know we were such a majority.

 

[ultrarunner]

I can't imagine going through life with such a big chip on my shoulder! How the heck did she get past the psych eval???

 

[Colonel Savage]

...I don't understand this strategy to fold like a house of cards and pay through the nose. Better to go down fighting for what you actually believe in than cave to a shyster.

You were expecting UAL to take a moral stand on something? With Tilton as CEO?

 

[Wanderlust]

This is why people don't want women in the cockpit. I'm sure most of them are cool, but it's the few bitches that ruin it for everybody.

 

[skypine69]

there are dudes out there who complain about porn as well...

I used to put pictures in for the ladies to enjoy as well, thought it to be only fair.

 

[IBNAV8R]

I'm always amazed that people (both genders) feel the need to look for porn in places they shouldn't really be looking, then get upset when they find it.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Rake,

It's about the male-dominated airline industry she mentions. Personally, I didn't know we were such a majority.

Understood. I was refering to her incorrect use of grammar. She should have used the term "female pilot" as opposed to "woman pilot" based upon her sentence structure. That's why I ask how competent a writer she actually is.

 

[trainer8]

So why settle out of court? Would a normal jury of her peers necessarily rule in her favor? I think not. Minimally, make her prove her case. I don't understand this strategy to fold like a house of cards and pay through the nose. Better to go down fighting for what you actually believe in than cave to a shyster.

The same scenario played out at Continental Airlines about 10 years ago in Blakey v. Continental Airlines, Inc. Precedent!

"One recent case that will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on employer liability for what is posted on company-approved Internet sites is Blakey v. Continental Airlines, Inc.87

In 1989, Tammy Blakey became the first female captain to fly an airbus for Continental.88 Blakey was hired by the airlines in 1984.89 Soon after Blakey qualified as a captain for Continental, she complained to the airline that her male co-workers were sexually harassing her and creating a hostile work environment.90

In 1991, Blakey regularly filed complaints with the appropriate representatives of Continental regarding pornographic pictures and inappropriate, vulgar comments, which were directed to her while in the workplace.91

In 1993, Blakey filed a claim for sexual discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1991 against Continental in federal court and with the Equal Opportunity Commission.92

During this time, other pilots posted gender-based and harassing messages on the pilot’s on-line computer bulletin board called “The Crew Members Forum.” Following an unsuccessful attempt to amend her federal complaint, Blakey filed suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey seeking damages for defamation against Continental Airlines and certain co-employees individually.93

That court dismissed Blakey’s claims against the individual defendants on the basis of lack of personal jurisdiction. The court also declined to impose vicarious liability on Continental for remarks uttered by its employees regarding her.94 On appeal, the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division held that Continental was not responsible for the harassment because the pilots’ messages were not performed as part of the pilot’s job duties.95

Conversely, the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that “f the employer had notice that co-employees were engaged on such a work-related forum in a pattern of retaliatory harassment directed at a co-employee, the employer would have a duty to remedy that harassment.”96
91 Id.

92 Initially, Blakey filed a complaint against Continental in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington. Upon Continental’s motion, the actions were transferred to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. See Blakey v. Continental Airlines, Inc. 992 F.Supp. 731 (D.N.J. 1998). After a five week trial, the jury found Continental liable for sexual harassment and awarded Blakey $875,000. This award was later lowered to $625,000."

Sorry for the chopped transcript. You can read the full transcript at http://74.125.93.104/search?q=cache...ard&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

With precedent already set, and the plantiffs with a good lawyer, settlement probably saved UAL some much needed cash.

T8

 

[Amish RakeFight]

If this UAL cnut got under 1MM, she's an idiot.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Trainer8, I've sometimes wondered if Pocono Pilot and your Plaintiff are one in the same.