Metro operator’s Redskins celebration causes complaints
By Taryn Luntz
Examiner Staff Writer 10/3/08
“Don’t be afraid if you see a bunch of people wearing towels on their heads today,” the Orange Line operator said to a train full of people, according to riders. “They’re not terrorists; they’re with the Dallas Cowboys. Go Redskins.”
Athletes whose teams are nearing defeat can often be seen throwing towels over their heads as they slump on the bench. But the allusion to the derogatory term “towelhead” for people who wear turbans, and the implication that they are terrorists, offended at least two riders, who lodged complaints with Metro.
“Based on information received from customer complaints, the operator’s comments were inappropriate,” Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said. “We take each and every complaint seriously at Metro, and we sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by the comments.”
The transit agency has identified the operator in question and is investigating the incident, he said.
Metro officials are evaluating whether he violated the employee code of conduct and are reviewing his record to determine the appropriate punishment, Taubenkibel said.
Metro’s rules do not limit train operators to making scripted announcements or prohibit them from making jokes or speaking casually.
The transit agency has in fact been encouraging employees to be friendlier and more communicative as part of an effort to improve customer service.
“Over the last few years, operators have been given some leeway in how they communicate with customers during service disruptions,” Taubenkibel said.
Metro is in the process of updating its employee rulebook and will include information governing the type of announcements rail operators can make in the new edition, he said.
8 Comments
Reader Comments:
POSTED Oct 3, 2008
Tina: "Are you serious???? People need to get over it. The operator said nothing wrong....I think the operators should be a little more humorous sometimes. I ride the blue line and several times our operators comment on the weather and that mornng cup of java some are dying to get to since we can't drink on the train. I think when we do play dallas, maybe the operators can sport there gear as well. Lighten up folks. I truly hope nothing happens to the operator."POSTED Oct 3, 2008
Go America: "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Funny"POSTED Oct 4, 2008
Stu: "Hey Tina, You're a Stupid White Woman. Go Redskins."POSTED Oct 5, 2008
Paulitik: "Shouldn't we be just as offended by the team being called the "Redskins"? What if Berlin had a soccer team called the "Holocaust"? I can't believe I'm reading an article about the outrage of public employee insinuating a racial slur when we live in a town that's professional football team name IS a racial slur. Ridiculous."POSTED Oct 6, 2008
anon: "Paulitik, seriously? Your first sentence is so illogical, that the rest of your post is rendered pointless. "Redskins" doesn't mean nearly the same thing as "holocaust.""POSTED Oct 6, 2008
Paulitik: "Illogical? What happened to the Native Americans was a holocaust. Frankly I used that as an example so I didn't have to use a slur. I know there are bigger problems in the world than a tastless team name, and I also understand that the majority of the fans are not proud of the slaughtering of a race of people, but if you don't find it of questionable taste to name the sports team of the nation's capital after a slur of the race of people we nearly eliminated, then you are blind. The team has the right to call itself whatever it likes, but I have the same right to criticize it."POSTED Oct 6, 2008
Tony Pearson: "I know the operator who made the comment and he is a friend and one of metro's best operator in the the fleet and he would not set out to hurt anyone's fellings. I am so tired of all the negative reports in the Examiner. These people serve the public every day but you give them no credit. But you seem to praise the fire department and the police department so give this Transit employee a break."POSTED Oct 6, 2008
Someone who knows him!: "Did those same TWO people lodge compliments to Metro for their safe arrival to their destination...bet not! There are thousands who ride Metro everyday with this same operator, and give him nothing but praises and thank you's for making them laugh all the while giving them safe passage. We live in a world where pain and suffering has become an everyday thing. Those TWO whinners need to lighten up and enjoy the laughter. Relating towel to turban's is certainly a far stretch. These TWO individuals must have nothing to do better with their lives!! Dalls lost to Redskins, and that's all it was about. Bottom line, no matter what he said the TWO complainers would have had something to say...whether it was tearing down this operator, or tearing someone else down. Unhappy minority!"