An air stewardess working for the beleaguered carrier Delta Air Lines has reportedly been suspended without pay because of her online diary, or “blog”.
According to the BBC News website, Ellen Simonetti, whose blog “Queen of the Sky” was a “semi-fictional account of life in the sky”, was told her suspension was a result of “inappropriate images” being posted.
The BBC News website reports that she had made no mention of the carrier she worked for, while creating fictional names for destinations and companies involved in the business.
The carrier’s name itself was changed to Anonymous Airline, while she said she worked in “Quirksville”. But the suspension was served after photos of herself were posted on the site.
She is quoted as saying: “We often take pictures on flights or on layovers. I just though why not include them on my blog for fun. I never meant it as something to harm my company and don’t understand how they think it might harm them.”
The images were removed as soon as Ms Simonetti was suspended.
The BBC states that Ms Simonetti was suspended on September 25 pending an investigation; she has since launched a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Delta reportedly told the BBC: “All we can tell you is we do not discuss internal employee issues with the media.” To see one of the “inappropriate images”, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3955913.stm
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
