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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 (15)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
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
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
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
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
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
A muffin?... Must have come from first class...never saw anything like that in coach.
- Ross Dunbar, Canada
Absolute insanity.
- R M, London, UK
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
Must be a brave man to eat a BA muffin. He should be rewarded, not scolded.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
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
He should be rewarded for bravery to try and eat airline food instead!
- Kc Cooper, Utah USA
Apparently a muffin-derstanding.
- Clive, UK
Half-Baked - do they mean the BA muffin?
- We, Kent
Seems a bit harsh.
- Rob, London
Suspended? He should get a special commendation for bravery for eating a BA pre-packed horror!
- Paul, London
