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A Southwest Airlines pilot is under investigation after he closed his usual intercom greeting to passengers with "Let's go Brandon," a euphemistic right-wing slur against Democratic President Joe Biden that stands for "Fu*k Joe Biden."
An Associated Press reporter who was on the flight reported several people onboard audibly gasped at the comment.
The phrase skyrocketed in popularity among supporters of former Republican President Donald Trump as the newest piece of seemingly innocuous far-right doublespeak—think the Pepe the Frog memes of 2016—has steadily grown into a more sinister trend.
From the House floor to a Southwest Airlines flight, President Biden's critics have embraced the phrase “Let's Go Brandon." The phrase took off after a reporter at a NASCAR race mistook a crude anti-Biden chant as cheering for driver Brandon Brown. https://t.co/ToCAm75IrS
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 30, 2021
The phrase stems from a journalist misreporting chants of "Fu*k Joe Biden" as "Let's go Brandon" at an Alabama NASCAR race last month won by driver Brandon Brown.
Right-wingers have since seized on the gaffe as an anti-Biden in-joke, using it as their social media screen names, chanting it at sporting events, and even engraving it on gun parts and ammunition.
Hearing the phrase on Southwest planes is apparently not new, either. A similar incident was captured earlier last month and posted by a right-wing TikTok'er, where several commenters shared stories of hearing the phrase on their Southwest flights too.
Presumably at the heart of this seeming wave of anti-Biden sentiment among pilots is the President's forthcoming vaccine mandate for federal workers, which includes airline personnel. The airline has been embroiled in turmoil with its employees following the announcement, and then reversal, of a decision to terminate employees who refused to comply with the mandate.
The airline's pilots union unsuccessfully attempted to seek a restraining order against the mandate, claiming the vaccine could have medical side effects that would jeopardize pilots' service--a claim with no medical or scientific merit.
In a statement, the airline confirmed it was investigating the incident and issued a warning to employees about similar behavior.
"Southwest does not condone Employees sharing their personal political opinions while on the job serving our Customers, and one Employee's individual perspective should not be interpreted as the viewpoint of Southwest and its collective 54,000 Employees,"
As you might guess, Twitter was bitterly divided over this story, with conservatives defending the pilot and pointing to the uproar as yet another example of left-wing overreach.
But liberals were unnerved and outraged by the pilot's actions, and many called for firings and boycotts in response.
Southwest MAGA pilot says “Let's go Brandon" on the plane intercom. Then the airlines are surprised when planes turn into unruly Trump rallies. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) October 30, 2021
Southwest pilot screams out "Let's go Brandon" over the intercom. @SouthwestAir I'll be booking my future flights accordingly. RT if you won't book with Southwest Airlines unless this pilot is fired.
— Turn Texas Blue (@Blue_Texas2022) October 30, 2021
I'm a pilot, not for Southwest, but it is a pretty much a right wing paradise in most cockpits. Probably the best part of becoming a captain was directing the conversations away from crap like this.
Really feel bad for the flight attendants who have to deal with his comments.
— GoNordo (@go_nordo) October 30, 2021
If Southwest lets this stand, that is a clear message to the majority who voted for Joe Biden that they're not welcome on that airline. We'll act accordingly.
— freeford (@ek3od) October 31, 2021
Southwest Airlines Faces Boycott Threats
Southwest Air needs to fire MAGA pilot who said “Let's Go Brandon" over Intercom. We don't need to hear our pilot is a member of Trump's death cult.
SW Air, your pilot needs to be #FIRED or you'll lose our business https://t.co/Z5YQRpSZGr
— 👽 McSpocky™ 🗣🇺🇸🌊💉 #BuildBackBetter (@mcspocky) November 1, 2021
I will NEVER fly Southwest if this is true
the only way I will ever fly them again if that pilot is FIRED immediately
— 🇺🇸 AMERICA'S BEST PATRIOT Alison Boxxer 🌊🇺🇸 (@AlisonBoxxer) October 30, 2021
The fact that @SouthwestAir has not moved faster with their Brandon pilot indicates a much broader problem. My guess is many if not most of their pilots are totally ok with it and the airline is afraid the pilots will walk. Let that sink in.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) October 31, 2021
If there is a job where it's CRUCIAL that the Person is mentally balanced and free of Stress, it's a commercial pilot. The guy is clearly affected and stressed enough by the political environment to make that “joke". His judgment is clouded, and it is unsafe to flight with him.
— Encantador de Porros (@Porroswhisperer) November 1, 2021
@SouthwestAir looks like it maybe time to cancel my Southwest card and find someone else to fly. Have loved your service over the years and I believe in freedom of expression but I also know not to do it in the workplace
— Brian Dalessi (@BDalessi) October 30, 2021
We're not flying with any airline until vaccines are mandated for all crew and passengers. The only reason why it hasn't is to cater to antivaxxers. Why the FAA won't implement this is beyond me.
— Kevin E. McCarthy (not that dolt) (@cook4beginners) October 30, 2021
The vaccine mandate for federal employees takes effect on November 22.