CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-based flight attendant Teddy Andrews started his airline career in 1981 as an intern in high school. He has worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines for the past 10 years.
“I thought what a way to see the world and do it for free,” he said. “I’ve seen places I could only dream of. I’ve been to Hawaii, Paris, London, five of seven continents. It has been amazing. It has been an amazing journey.”
One of his worst experiences in the air came earlier this year on a flight home from Chile. He told a House subcommittee meeting this week how a passenger’s refusal to wear a mask led to a disturbing encounter.
“He looked at me, and I will not repeat the epithet he used. He said, ‘N-word, I don’t have to listen to a damn thing you say. This is a free country,’” Andrews said. “I was completely taken aback.”
The subcommittee he addressed is trying to reduce air rage. Since the pandemic, news outlets, including Channel 9, have reported on numerous stories of people acting aggressively and dangerously in the airport or in the sky.
[PAST COVERAGE: Video shows man’s confrontation with gate agent at Charlotte airport]
During the meeting, the Queen City was singled out as one of the problem areas.
“We have had a lot of incidents out of Charlotte,” said Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants.
Nelson also listed Florida and Texas as areas of concern.
Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee said he recently traveled through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and noticed a lot of closed food stands but open bars. He wondered if that is playing a role.
“Why in the hell would they not give you…