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It’s amazing when former Hollywood stars (and I’m using this designation lightly) jump on the crazy train and try to use their celebrity to take inane stands. The latest to open his mouth with an opinion that no one asked for is the former star of Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (a film rife with family values). Rob Schneider contends that United CEO, Scott Kirby, is placing diversity hires above the safety of passengers while accusing him of being a drag queen. (As if that’s the worst thing to be.)
Dear Scott Kirby CEO @UnitedAirlines and Drag Queen practitioner,
I regret to inform you that I will no longer allow my family to fly on your airline as you have clearly placed “diversity” of pilot hiring above safety of passengers and crew. As evidenced by the near aviation…— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) January 22, 2024
This claim is rather preposterous and the addition of “drag queen practitioner” takes away any credence it might have ever held. There has been a commercial pilot shortage for several years. The older, white, straight men that have traditionally been almost exclusively the only ones to pilot commercial aircraft are retiring and airline’s have started looking at more non-traditional candidates as a means of filling those seats. This doesn’t mean that the pilot of your next United flight is not competent enough to operate the aircraft or that a straight, white male was turned away for a job.
Was the #2 at the Denver hiring center also onboarded through DEI? Did she or did she not change fail grades for DEI hires because “it makes the numbers look bad”?
Did the instructor who failed this co-pilot ask corporate why they passed him?
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) January 5, 2024
No evidence has been provided to make me believe that corners were cut, that pilots are not being properly trained, or that anyone qualified is not being hired. Conservative firebrand, Ashley St. Clair, took to X earlier this month to condemn an incident at Denver International Airport (DEN). There are no facts to support her accusations and I believe they’re being made just to rouse angst among flyers and as another example of trying to counter the “Woke Agenda.”
This is Scott Kirby, the CEO of @united. He’s a drag queen and has been incorporating drag into @united.
This video should tell you everything you need to know. pic.twitter.com/RR5nWwC5OR
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 18, 2024
As to Scott Kirby being a drag queen…Um…he has performed at company parties in the past for Halloween, but I sincerely doubt we’ll be seeing him sashay down the main stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race anytime soon.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is good for business. People want to see themselves represented and businesses that include more people tend to build bonds with these loyal customers. This could also be on a TV show, in a political office, or in another role where certain communities traditionally are underserved. No airline is going to cut corners and allow someone to fly just because of their gender, skin color, or sexual orientation. Training standards are set and need to be met in order to take to the skies. It presents way too great of a risk and airlines want to keep their passengers flying while avoiding accidents and scandal at all costs.
Anthony’s Take: This is a lot of noise from a Hollywood actor who has largely been forgotten on an issue that really doesn’t exist. Of all of the things to throw celebrity behind, this isn’t one of them. I’m sure United won’t miss this “former 1K.”
(Featured Image Credit: @startelegramvideo via YouTube.)
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6 comments
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is good for business” is this a joke? Have you run a business with dozens of employees? How about run a portfolio of business?
This is the most ridiculous comment I think I’ve ever heard from you. It’s harmful to business in almost every respect. Qualification, brains, honesty, and experience. That’s all that matters. That’s what’s good for a business.
Janie…All your points are well taken. I can say now that I used to read from this authors site. No more. This article is a clown show much like the Ceo Kirby…
I agree Janie. I run a business and all I care about is if they all are the best employees I can find. I don’t care about their skin color, gender, eye color, weight, looks etc. Can you do the job well? Are you a nice person that isn’t going to cause office drama? If the answer is yes– you are hired.
1 or 2 bad employees can kill a business, especially a small business. It’s ridiculous when people put physical characteristics ahead of competence.
You hire based on looks, I’ll hire on competence and qualifications, and my business will do way better than yours.
I sure won’t miss visiting this blog.
Looks like the MAGA crowd is going crazy. I would’ve hoped they wouldn’t go all snowflake but they managed quite nicely. I pity them for being afraid all the time.
I own a small business. The diversity of my people is a major plus. Why? Because not only is it absolutely the right thing to do to consciously avoid perpetuating status quos and show some actual social conscience but it strengthens my business by providing different perspectives and skills. I don’t need people who tell me what I already know or what they think I want to hear, I need people who will provide fresh insights and perspectives. That in turn broadens my customer base and makes the business more successful.
I regret to remind everyone that he cross-dressed in the movie The Hot Chick and he is 1/4 Filipino. So this would also mean that his daughter the singer Elle King is 1/8 Filipino.
He should be teaching his daughter Elle King some respect and manners before throwing out his own spew……..she was RIDICULOUS and BEYOND SMASHED at Dolly Parton’s birthday celebration at the Grand Ol Opry. “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones”