Whistleblower says BA ignores culture of racism among pilots

Published on Saturday 26 April 2008 19:50

A SCOTTISH pilot with British Airways has complained of a "canteen culture" of racism among pilots which he claims has been ignored by senior managers.

Captain Doug Maughan, who lives in Dunblane and has 28 years' flying experience, says that derogatory remarks about race are so common they are treated as normal.

In addition to hearing remarks about "coons" and "ragheads", he received an e-mail asking if "Jocks" will "F. off."

BA has rejected the accusations, and claims it takes charges of racism among staff "very seriously".

Maughan, a serving pilot who captains BA aircraft all over the world, said he lodged his first complaint after hearing a senior training captain use the word "coon" – but he says nothing was done.

He said: "There was the time when we set off for Los Angeles with a large party of Saudis on board who had joined us at Heathrow direct from the VIP lounge. My captain suddenly embarked on an extraordinary rant about 'ragheads'.

"He got the word out twice before I stopped him by explaining he was going to be short of a first officer for the return sector if he carried on."

Maughan was on another flight when a fellow officer complained there were too many Asians in Britain. "The captain turned to me and said: 'I don't suppose there are many of them up your way.' I replied: 'Well, there's my wife.' After that they had the decency to fall silent."

He has also complained about abusive e-mails sent to him by a fellow pilot who is English. One e-mail said: "Come separation, will all Jocks F. off to that Welfare State (paid for by English middle classes)??? Please say yes."

Maughan is planning a protest at this year's annual shareholders meeting.

He added: "It's what I'd call a canteen culture. It seems to be accepted that people are going to make racist remarks and get away with it."

BA said in a reply: "We strongly reject these allegations on behalf of all our staff. The allegations were made over a year ago and were fully investigated. All British Airways employees must adhere to our policies concerning dignity at work. Under these policies we encourage employees to report incidences of racism, sexism or any other behaviour that they deem offensive or inappropriate. Any reports of such behaviour are taken extremely seriously and investigated as a matter of priority."