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BA steward suspended 'for eating leftover muffin' on passenger's meal tray
Last updated at 00:52am on 20.12.07
The BA worker was suspended after being reported at Heathrow airport
British Airways have suspended a cabin crew steward for eating a muffin that was discarded on a passenger's meal tray, it was reported today.
BA are treating the incident as theft after he was reported at Heathrow airport on Monday.
The man's collegues are furious with the decision, branding the airline 'heavy handed' and accused them of acting like a 'police state'.
One BA worker told The Sun: "The cabin crew member on a long-haul flight took a muffin destined for the bin.
"Now his career hangs in the balance. Everyone is up in arms - it is a disgusting way to treat a member of staff."
The move to suspend the worker comes after another BA flight attendent was told she could not wear a crucifix to work as it apparently contravened the company's uniform policy.
The worker added: "Staff are scared of putting a foot wrong. BA is acting like a police state."
A spokesman for the company said yesterday: "One member of the cabin crew has been suspended on suspicion of theft.
"While such incidents are extremely rare we take all allegations of theft extremely seriously."
However, British Airways appeared to make a U-turn today denying that the steward was suspended because he eat a left over muffin.
A BA spokesman said: "It is half-baked to suggest we are suspending someone over a muffin. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
Reader views (16)
I think the press and British public would be shocked and horrified how many crew have been suspended for trivial issues and false alligations.So many crew are either leaving due to the bullying by BA management in the form of threats via letters to their homes,internal e-mails and phone calls or leaving on ill health due to stress and depression due to bullying!!.BA even went as far as to put up a 'Grafiti' board at their head office for other staff to say what they thought of the cabin crew for voting to strike.The comments were hateful and management had to remove it due to compliants.At present many crew are taking out grievance's against senior BA managers for bullying and harrasment.Shameful behavior by BA management.
- S.Davies, Bagshot.UK, 11/02/2010 23:58
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Not surprised by BA making a U turn on the comments.
My daughter worked for BA as cabin crew. She was bullied, to the point she attempted to take her own life. BA told us "They take allegations of bullying extremely seriously." Surprise, surprise, the did not take it seriously and took a U-turn. They decided to blame my daughter and denied any bullying without a proper investigation.
Now she has been dumped in the corner hoping she will resign so the problem goes away. Dont be surprised by how BA treat their own staff. They like their U-turns. Our fight continues.....
- Rocsted-Ed, Wokingham, Berkshire, 26/05/2009 18:48
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This is absurd! I can imagine how it is like to be working with a Stupid Admin for I was working with a National Airline of the UAE!
- Flying High Sky Fairy, Heathrow, UK, 30/03/2009 08:48
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I worked for them for a few months and quit.
All that passion to join BA and the shock when I saw how stupid they are.
The Peter Principal must have been invented there I'm sure.
- Kellyb, Bexley Kent England, 19/12/2007 20:59
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All passengers should bring muffins on all BA flights for the crew from now on. Just get on the plane and give the crew a basket of muffins.
Can we say Ludicrous (but not surprising).
- Muffin Man, Brussels, Belgium, 19/12/2007 20:55
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It seems that BA wanted to keep ownership of the discarded muffin. The only reason I can think why they would want to do this is to give to another passenger. Any other reason?
- Guy Thornton, Swindon, UK, 19/12/2007 20:23
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A muffin?... Must have come from first class...never saw anything like that in coach.
- Ross Dunbar, Canada, 19/12/2007 17:21
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Absolute insanity.
- R M, London, UK, 19/12/2007 15:00
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This is typical of the lack of common sense prevalent throughout the earth today - especially demonstrated by Government leaders and heads of corporations. Political Correctness and actions such as that displayed by BA are so stupid it reveals the idiocy of the times in which we live. I say fire the leaders at BA!
- Robert Mason, United States, 19/12/2007 14:51
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Must be a brave man to eat a BA muffin. He should be rewarded, not scolded.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 19/12/2007 14:51
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This is ridiculous, BA needs to lighten up. Those long-haul flights never feed anyone enough as it is and the poor steward was probably starving. Those folks work very hard and need to be appreciated more.
- Craig, Omaha NE USA, 19/12/2007 14:47
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He should be rewarded for bravery to try and eat airline food instead!
- Kc Cooper, Utah USA, 19/12/2007 14:47
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Apparently a muffin-derstanding.
- Clive, UK, 19/12/2007 14:44
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Half-Baked - do they mean the BA muffin?
- We, Kent, 19/12/2007 14:43
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Seems a bit harsh.
- Rob, London, 19/12/2007 14:42
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Suspended? He should get a special commendation for bravery for eating a BA pre-packed horror!
- Paul, London, 19/12/2007 14:16
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