“I’m A First Officer”: Female Pilot Corrects Republican Senator Who Called Her A “Stewardess”
Another day, another misogynistic display. An exchange between an American Republican Senator and a female airplane pilot went viral after the politician mistakenly referred to her as a stewardess during a state amendment hearing. The exchange ignited widespread discussion about gender bias in the workplace.
During an amendment hearing on Minnesota state’s sick and safe time law, which requires employers to provide employees with a certain amount of paid time off for illness, Laura Haynor introduced herself as a “Minnesota resident and a Minneapolis-based pilot for Delta Airlines.”
- A Republican Senator mistakenly called a female pilot a "stewardess", sparking gender bias discussions.
- Laura Haynor introduced herself as a pilot for Delta and corrected the senator's "stewardess" mistake.
- Women shared empathetic reactions to the incident, highlighting widespread professional gender bias.
A few seconds after Laura shared her professional title, Minnesota Republican Senator Gene Dornink asked: “Can you tell me what a typical week, uh, workweek looks like for you as a stewardess?”
Minnesota Republican Senator Gene Dornink referred to Laura Haynor as a “stewardess” after she said she was a pilot for Delta
The outdated term “stewardess” refers to a flight attendant, a member of the cabin crew responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during a flight.
Needless to say, a flight attendant isn’t the same as a pilot, who is a trained aviator responsible for operating and navigating an aircraft.
According to clips that have been shared of the uncomfortable moment, several murmurs could be heard immediately from the crowd as Gene was reminded by onlookers that Laura is a pilot, not a “stewardess,” as per Buzzfeed.
Viral videos showed Laura clarifying: “I’m a first officer for Delta.”
“I’m a Minneapolis based pilot for Delta airlines.”
We all know why you said that. https://t.co/7hGrVqO7Uq pic.twitter.com/cQeCdr2t3Y
— Ellis Goodwyn 🐐 (@GoodwynPub) March 15, 2024
Viral videos showed the senator laughing, seemingly not understanding that he had been corrected before Laura clarified: “I’m a first officer for Delta.”
At this point, Gene was seen throwing his hands up and apologizing, admitting: “I don’t know why I said that.”
A video of the incident was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), which has racked up nearly 10 million views since it was uploaded on March 14.
Many people reacted on social media to the hearing, which quickly became viral on X
*bookmarks to show in gender studies 101* https://t.co/o4YDMrIP8B
— Sami Schalk (@DrSamiSchalk) March 15, 2024
Every female physician felt this in her core. https://t.co/0gLEd48y3D
— Emily Porter, M.D. (@dremilyportermd) March 15, 2024
It’s actually exhausting the way so many men are committed to not listening to women https://t.co/3lRuHxm72f
— Zuri Davis 🍊 (@ProperlyZuri) March 15, 2024
People quickly flooded the post with comments from women, especially from those who have experienced having their profession and achievements dismissed by men and could empathize with the situation.
A recent study found that almost 90 percent of women surveyed experienced “tall poppy syndrome” in the workplace. Tall poppy syndrome describes when people are attacked, resented, or “cut down” because of their success and achievements, CTV News reported last year.
A flight attendant isn’t the same as a pilot, who is a trained aviator responsible for operating and navigating an aircraft
I feel this.
Just yesterday I went to consult on a patient and was asked “are you the wife?”
I’ve been mistaken for a dietician, nurse, physio, etc. more times than I’ve been assumed to be the doctor.
I brush it off because, society, but yeah it sucks.
2024. https://t.co/An6Gei0LeI— DrHeme👩🏻⚕️ 🦀 💊🇨🇦 (@hemeoncABnorth) March 15, 2024
When they see veterans tags on my car:
Person: Tell your husband thank you for his service.
Me: I served! He also served.
Them: oh!
I have also gotten, “you don’t look like a veteran. Where did you serve?” https://t.co/5pj77RVytZ— Bougie Black Girl (@BougieBlackGurl) March 15, 2024
“Tell me what a typical workweek is like for you as a stewardess.” pic.twitter.com/ty7fWeNTYH
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) March 14, 2024
The global survey by Women of Influence+ asked 4,710 women in workplaces around the world about their experiences and the effects.
It subsequently found that 77 percent of respondents had their achievements downplayed, 72 percent were left out of meetings and discussions or were ignored, and 66 percent said others took credit for their work.
The controversial hearing continued to ignite heated debates
We all know why he said it - sexism. He didn't listen properly whilst a woman was talking, and then 'down graded' her status and accomplishments. However, one point for him, as he immediately apologised.
I'm not sure that apology means anything to him. After all, the Republicans are not known for their enlightened stance towards women and what they are capable of. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's see what his stance is towards women after this.
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I’m a female pilot, and this BS happens all the time. I’m just a private pilot, but it’s the same way in the general aviation world. If I go to any aviation-related thing with my husband or a male friend, everyone assumes he’s the pilot, even when they’ve just watched me land and park the airplane. I’ve gotten some sexist comments, but most of the time people just don’t even consider that a woman could be a pilot. I’m planning on becoming a flight instructor, and I can guarantee I’ll have at least one student who will think a woman shouldn’t be teaching him to fly.
I'm a nurse but if i enter the room with female doctors, the patients will assume i'm the doctor and they are nurses... But usually it has no further consequences.
I hope you sternly correct them and explicitly show deference to the female doctor(s) in front of patients who do this. You have the power to heal the soul sting those doctors walk with every single time this happens to them. The mental exhaustion of being persistently demoted adds up over a career. The “further consequence” happens quietly.
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We all know why he said it - sexism. He didn't listen properly whilst a woman was talking, and then 'down graded' her status and accomplishments. However, one point for him, as he immediately apologised.
I'm not sure that apology means anything to him. After all, the Republicans are not known for their enlightened stance towards women and what they are capable of. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's see what his stance is towards women after this.
Load More Replies... I’m a female pilot, and this BS happens all the time. I’m just a private pilot, but it’s the same way in the general aviation world. If I go to any aviation-related thing with my husband or a male friend, everyone assumes he’s the pilot, even when they’ve just watched me land and park the airplane. I’ve gotten some sexist comments, but most of the time people just don’t even consider that a woman could be a pilot. I’m planning on becoming a flight instructor, and I can guarantee I’ll have at least one student who will think a woman shouldn’t be teaching him to fly.
I'm a nurse but if i enter the room with female doctors, the patients will assume i'm the doctor and they are nurses... But usually it has no further consequences.
I hope you sternly correct them and explicitly show deference to the female doctor(s) in front of patients who do this. You have the power to heal the soul sting those doctors walk with every single time this happens to them. The mental exhaustion of being persistently demoted adds up over a career. The “further consequence” happens quietly.
Load More Replies...
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