I had no idea that people like the racist woman, still exist in this country. Were it not for Larry's reputation for integrity and straightforwardness, I'd suspect the letter was made up. Would this letter have been published if it had involved a black passenger who refused to sit next to a white one?

I imagine this letter would have in fact been published if the races were reversed. Larry Meeks strikes me as someone who is willing to address both sides of prejudice. Sadly this kind of attitude is alive and well in this country. In the sense that the stewardess defused a contentious situation, I wonder if the airline would feel that she handled things correctly. I'm in no way defending the bigot who refused to sit in front of a black man. Ideally that hateful woman would have the option of taking her seat or being escorted off the plane. Better still, if there was an empty seat in first class, I would have given the black gentleman a seat up there, and told the woman her problem was now solved. But the airline may have felt that since there were several empty seats available, it was easier to move her and get the plane off the ground in time.

re: bigot
i somewhat agree with your advice, in that i feel the woman should have it made clear that her actions were not acceptable - no business should tolerate bigotry on their premises. I take exception to one thing about your response, however. it is not a federal crime to be a bigot. it is not a federal crime to ask to be moved to another seat for any reason. it isn't against the law to not like people, it is merely extremely rude and socially unacceptable. a significant difference.

well about the bigot and the stewardess...i feel she did the right thing to just fix the situation in a quiet way.sure the bigot was being imature, but ohwell, not everybody has a good heart.why make it an even more uncomortable situation for all, beings the black passenger wasn't aware of this foolish person.i feel she made a quick choice and a good one, now if it were a situation where there was no more seats, then kindly escourt the dingbat off the plane. theres just no use for being a baby and crying over somthing that cant be fixed, we are grownups after all

I suspect that this letter is made up. I actually am a Flight Attendant, and no Flight Attendant would refer to themselves in this type of situation as a Stewardess anymore. We do jokingly use this term; but not in a serious context. Other information provided by the "Stewardess" furthermore makes me suspicious about the actual legitimacy of this letter.

Regardless of this, Larry always gets a thumbs-up, in my book! Kudos to you, Sir!

Not wanting to sit next to someone because of their race is NOT a federal crime. Nor should it be. We all have the right to associate - or not associate - with whomever we wish. The stewardess did just fine. If the woman wants to be ignorant but comfortable, it is the stewardesses job to accommodate her.