American Airlines Fires 82 Year Old Employee For Using Anti-Gay Derogatory Term While He Defended The Right Of Gay Men And Women To Serve Openly In Military

The New York Post reports that American Airline fired Freddy Schmitt following 54 years of service, the 82 year old terminated for allegedly using an anti-gay derogatory term while defending the right of openly gay soldiers to serve in the military during a discussion that occurred at the workplace during company time. Schmitt, a baggage crew chief, does not dispute that, speaking of his tour of duty during World War Two, he said “Back then, a faggot coulda saved my life,” but suggests that given the context of the statement, it was not meant in a discriminatory manner. Schmitt is appealing the termination through arbitration, but that process can take months. He was due to retire in November with a full 55 years of service. Under the terms of the dismissal, Schmitt retains his pension, but loses his health benefits, as well as the travel privileges he and his wife enjoyed as employees.