United Airlines Manager } Calls Gay Couple Travelers “Faggots"
A gay couple has claimed they were called ‘faggots’ by a United Airlines manager as they waited for a flight home after Thanksgiving.
The gay slur allegedly took place as Billy Canu and his partner waited for a flight from Denver International Airport on Saturday.
The pair, who were travelling to San Diego, inquired about using a United passenger lounge.
Offensive: Billy Canu, right, and his partner claim they were called 'faggots' and 'idiots' by a United Airlines manager at Denver International Airport on Saturday
After the agents at the airline desk gave them ‘a very condescending, sort of rude answer’, the couple began complaining and were approached by a manager they identified as Rodney Hill.
Recounting the incident, Canu claimed that, rather than help, Hill ‘continued to fuel the fire’.
‘We challenged him to act better,’ Canu said as he described the incident on a Facebook post. ‘He then followed us, threatening again to remove us, at which point we walked away.
‘Rodney Hill then shouted “idiots” at us. Angered at this, my partner attempted to walk back to challenge him.
'Shaken': Canu, left, had asked for help at a customer service desk, but the staff were 'rude'. Manager Rodney Hill, right, approached and became abusive, he said
Members only: The altercation at Denver Airport started after Mr Canu and his partner inquired over whether they could use the airline's members lounge
'My partner shouted “what was that?” and Rodney replied “What faggots?” before walking back to the customer service desk.’
ts to be handled in a derogatory way.'
Reeling from the shocking slur, the couple wanted to return – but feared any further arguments could mean they were kicked out of the airport.
'We were completely shocked. We were shaking,' Canu told ABC-7. 'We were totally alarmed.'
Instead, he decided to return to the desk to ask for the manager’s full name. When he did, Canu claimed Hill said: ‘Don’t you dare patronise me.’
He returned to the gate and began posting what happened on Twitter and Facebook.
Supporters of the couple began re-posting the complaint and flooded United Airlines’ pages with outraged comments about Hill’s alleged behaviour.
Hill has worked for United Airlines’ management for three years, according to his page on LinkedIn, a professional networking site.
Waiting: The couple say they would like an apology from the airline. A United spokesperson said they would review the complaint and contact the customers
On the site, he claims he was recognized by the company’s CEO Glen Tilton for ‘Excellence in Customer Service 2010’.
And despite how he allegedly handled the customers, he claims he has ‘expertise in staffing and evaluation of personnel to assure adherence to quality service and customer satisfaction’.
'Expertise': Hill boasts of his strong customer care record on his LinkedIn page, posted on Twitter by Canu
Canu was also shocked with the 'customer service' from other staff.
He claimed that when he first inquired at the desk - where there was no line - the staff started laughing over who would help.
He said one woman said: 'I can't help as I'm pregnant' and laughed.
Other staff used a condescending tone, he claimed.
United Airlines said it is ‘reviewing’ the complaint.
‘United does not tolerate discrimination of any kind,’ said airline spokeswoman Megan McCarthy.
‘We have received this complaint and are reviewing, and we will reach out to the customer directly.’
Canu and his partner said they just want an apology from the airline.
‘No one wants to be handled in a derogatory way,’ he told ABC7. ‘We understand things can get heated, but I think their customer service could’ve handled it much better.’
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