Asiana Air Says It Will Sue Over Stupid News Program Broadcasting Offensive Joke Names Of Crash Pilots

from the damaged-whose-reputation? dept

Mon, Jul 15th 2013 6:57am — Mike Masnick

By now you've probably already heard about how the local Fox affiliate here in the Bay Area of California last week broadcast what it apparently believed were the names of the four pilots on the Asiana Air plane that crashed on landing at San Franciso Airport a week ago.

Almost everyone I've spoken to about this is stunned that no one realized these were obviously fake, racist names. You could maybe see one of them getting through, but all four? And it's not like this is in an area without a large Asian population. Nearly 25% of the population in this region is of Asian heritage. You'd think someone would have caught that these were fake before it went on air. But, no one did. If you haven't seen the video of the newscaster reading out those names, it's really quite incredible: As you might imagine, KTVU quickly apologized, blaming the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) who it insisted had confirmed the names. At first the NTSB insisted that it had nothing to do with it, saying that "we do not release names" ever. However, a few hours later, the NTSB was forced to issue a statement apologizing, and saying that a summer intern, who was acting way, way, way outside the scope of his authority, had confirmed the names:

Earlier today, in response to an inquiry from a media outlet, a summer intern acted outside the scope of his authority when he erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew on the aircraft.

The NTSB does not release or confirm the names of crewmembers or people involved in transportation accidents to the media. We work hard to ensure that only appropriate factual information regarding an investigation is released and deeply regret today's incident.

Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that such a serious error is not repeated.

Of course, the NTSB has also said that the names "originated" with KTVU and that the intern was "trying to be helpful." Either way, the end result was pretty clear: KTVU (and, to some extent, the NTSB) were quickly mocked widely online.

I had figured the story would die down over the weekend but, apparently, Asiana Air is talking about potentially suing both KTVU and the NTSB over this incident, claiming that it harmed their reputation.

Asiana said Monday that it will sue a San Francisco TV station that damaged the airline's reputation by using bogus and racially offensive names for four pilots on a plane that crashed earlier this month in San Francisco.

Yes, the use of those names was racist and offensive. And, yes, it was absolutely ridiculous that it made it on the air. But it's almost as ridiculous to then file a lawsuit over such a thing. Asiana is going to have one hell of a time proving any "damage" to the airline's reputation from that report, as opposed to, I don't know, the actual crash landing. It seems that Asiana's reputation is already hurt, but not because of any fake names, but rather for its inability to properly land an airplane.

The whole reason the names became a story was that basically everyone who didn't work at KTVU knew they were fake and offensive names. No one actually thought that they were real. There was no damage done to Asiana from those names being used. The damage was to KTVU's credibility (not to mention the credibility of whoever hires summer interns at the NTSB). KTVU and the NTSB have both apologized, and Asiana should focus on making sure its pilots can land their planes rather than suing over this.

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Filed Under: airlines, crashes, ntsb, racist jokes, reputation
Companies: asiana air, ktvu

76 Comments

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Akari Mizunashi (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 5:30am

So...

Wi Su Yoo...

too early?
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Ninja (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 5:59am

Re:
Damn you got it first! No seriously the prank was goddamn hilarious and it highlights how the usual news outfits are not bastions of credibility in comparison to the rest of the web journalism.

What I find interesting is the amount of sensitivity on such jokes. I mean I joke with Italians and Portuguese and there are both in my family. I joke with black people and my girlfriend is black and I joke with Asians and I have very good oriental friends, one of them was born in Japan and currently lives here. If you think these names are offensive or racists before thinking they are damn funny then the prejudice is within yourself.

Also, to hell with politically correct humor.
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yaga (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 6:56am

Re: Re:
Actually to hell with politically correct anything.
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justok (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:04am

It's
It's official. Asiana is going to use the law firm of Dewey, Cheatem & Howe
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avideogameplayer, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:07am

Maybe Prenda can take the case...

After all, it seems like they need a new trolling...I MEAN business model...
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Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:10am

Diverting
From a PR perspective, Asiana might be doing a good job for themselves here. It's all about diverting the attention away from the actual crash and changing the story (new cycle) onto this stupid TV studio. It lets Asiana be the victim of racist remarks instead of the company that is responsible for the crash.
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RyanNerd (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:16am

Yes, let's take the focus off our incompetent pilots and talk about racism instead
Sum ting wong with this don't you think?
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Tim Griffiths (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:20am

Re: Re: Re:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmsV1TuESrc

Political correctness is simply an attempt to have an inclusive formal language. What a horror.
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karen phan, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:27am

Re: Re:
right on brother! I'm asian, and I think this is pretty funny.
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TasMot (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:30am

Too Bad You Can't Prove a Negative
because I'd like to see proof that no "person of Asian Descent" ever made a joke about a non-asian person. Start here which has a list of many slurs including ones that asians use for non asians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs. Somewhere I remeber a caution about throwing that first stone.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:30am

Re: Re:
It's a matter of timing and location. The sooner it is, the fewer people will be amused, and more people offended by making jokes about a tragedy.

Likewise, put this on late night comedy, and people will hardly even blink, even if they think it's a tasteless joke. Trick the news anchors into telling the joke it while claiming that the names are accurate as confirmed by the NTSB, then people take offense.
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Ninja (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:31am

Re: Re: Re:
I wholeheartedly agree!
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madasahatter (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:38am

Old Gag
I have seen this prank pulled by someone at Heathrow about 15 years ago. At one point I had a recording of the announcement. What was hilarious was the fact no one apparently bothered to read the names until they had been had.

On the note of checking sources, why was the airline not asked to confirm the pilots' names by the studio?
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Ninja (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:40am

Re: Re: Re:
I understand what you are saying and the ones that lost someone dear may find the joke tasteless in their grief. This is normal and understandable. But generally humor does not intend to offend anybody. Even if I had relatives in that flight I'd most likely giggle seeing the prank. Even more with the news outfit falling for it that easily.

In any case there could be some disciplinary measure against the prankster alright as he/she messed with official statement and regardless of no harm done it should not happen (ie: the Govt must be always serious). But lawsuit? No need.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:45am

Re: Re: Re:
Politically correct is as dangerous an idea as the one true religion (of which there are several). It inevitably lead to an inquisition of some sort to coerce non-believers.
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Ninja (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:45am

Re: Too Bad You Can't Prove a Negative
Reminding everybody that one can go for ethnic jokes without being racist or having any sort of prejudice. Because quite a few of them are amusing even if you are affected.
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pixelpusher220 (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:45am

Re: It's
I'm waiting for the DMCA Takedowns to start landing...better than the plane anyway...
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Pragmatic, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:47am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I know what the stated intention is, but what actually happens is you end up creating whole new oppressed masses to offend by treating them as if they're likely to flip out if you don't use appropriately patronizing terms such as "vertically challenged" for "short."
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Pragmatic, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:48am

Re: Re: Re:
Thank you, Karen. We do it to each other often enough. Why leave you guys out of the fun and games?

"Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe."

Classic!
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:51am

Re:
I hear they hired the law firm City Associates
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Ninja (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:54am

Re: Re: It's
Sent by Akari's lawyer We Su Yoo?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:01am

Re: Old Gag
Either time constrictions of the news cycle:

Newsie 1: We've got to air this list of names today, before anyeone else gets a chance! Have we been able to get confirmation?

Newsie 2: The Asiana Air PR folks are still asleep at the moment, but we've gotten confirmation from the NTSB.

Newsie 1: Good, run it!

or they asked but got a no comment back without the list really being looked at:

Newsie 1: Excuse me, can you confirm this list of crew names for us?

Asiana Air PR: It is against our policy to confirm or deny the names of personnel involved in an accident.
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Stuart Gray, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:06am

What part was Racist?
I am not sure I understand.
Using Asian names that sound like american words that evoke humor is racist?
Is I.P. Freely racist against whites?
I thought they were just jokes. Nothing racist there Mike.\
Try not to trip over all that politically correct crap you are dragging around to make that statement work.

It was not racist when "Wong Way" hit a US aircraft?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Island_incident
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:14am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I wouldn't say that generally humor does not intend to offend anybody. Plenty of humor is at the expense of others, or is intended to mock others. I would not be surprised if this joke was intended to offend Asiana Air, in which case, it succeeded. At the very least, it was made at the expense of Asiana Air, so it's unsurprising they offended.

Yeah lawsuits are over the top when apologies have already been made, and appropriate punishment to the offenders presumably meted out.
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Semore Butts, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:18am

Re: What part was Racist?
It's this sort of callous disregard for cultural sensitivity that gets you a bad name.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:36am

I actually know somebody name Ho Lee Fuk...

I honestly didn't catch the joke, I wouldn't doubt I wasn't the only one.
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Daemon_ZOGG (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:38am

Re: Re: What part was Racist?
I agree. The company is at fault for the crash and the broadcasters are at fault for racist remarks over the air. The Asian culture is NOT at fault.
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Oblate (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:39am

What harm?
As you note, this TV station is a FOX affiliate- so does this actually harm their credibility? Typically when they have a story with only four wrong items it would be a cause for celebration.

This also undermines Asiana's case against them- it's almost like suing based on the credibility of a story run on the Onion.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:41am

I'm just amazed that someone working for a news channel looked at these names and did not realize that sum ting wong.
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Won Wing Lo, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:47am

Damn was this ever funny. I am still waiting for the inevitable comparison to Asian drivers.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:03am

Re: Yes, let's take the focus off our incompetent pilots and talk about racism instead
God you're a revolting human being.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:03am

Re: Re:
I Mr. Lee and work down da City Wok where all da City Associates guy come eat. Dey no leave any tip but joke on dem, feed-um cat.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:04am

Re: Re: Yes, let's take the focus off our incompetent pilots and talk about racism instead
revorting
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Hambone, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:06am

It's NOT racist!

It is a play on words.

Political correctness run amok.
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Joe, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:10am

Don't see the racism here. Worst offence I can see is it wasn't very funny.

btw - did you hear about the two Irish homosexuals? Henry Fitzpatrick and Patrick Fitzhenry?

waka waka
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sophisticatedjanedoe (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:13am

What was the name of the Asiana rep again? Ba Stei Zan?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:15am

Re:
You are not. I do not get any of them. Then again I know nothing of the orient.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:20am

The news station should be skewered by its audience for this, and I wonder why the government has interns speaking to the media on its behalf. Seems like if I ran a company or agency, I would want to protect its reputation a little better than that.

But I don't think that the airline has a case. After seeing those names, people are either going to not notice the puns (meaning the airline is not harmed) or they are going to see that they are obviously a joke (which the news has every right to make, even if it is in bad taste.) People might believe ONE of those names, but all 4 together like that?

And even if some people thought those names were accurate, so what? How would the names of the pilots have anything to do with anything?

So, i don't think the airline has much of a case. But that doesn't mean there isn't a legitimate lawsuit that could be filed...

The ones who have a case are Sum Ting Wong and company. If there actually ARE any people (and especially pilots) by those names, then they have been defamed - severely - by falsely being associated with this crash.
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Jeremy, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:54am

Even though I don't like the idea...
I love the idea.

Yeah, suing the media for what they say is wrong, freedom of speech is not a joke.

But damn I'd love to see those idiot reporters pay for their idiocy.
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Flied Lice, 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:12am

Is Obama Bin Lyin:
A Racist remark?
A funny play on words?
A fact?
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Ninja (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:14am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Plenty of humor is at the expense of others

Most of it actually. Which doesn't mean it has the intention of offending. I'd say that no apologies are owed for the humor itself but rather for making use of an official channel to deliver it. I've been the target of jokes in the past and I can say that some of the worst came from friends and I found them amusing. As a comparison let's think of a KKK member making a joke about some black person and a black person making the same joke. I think it is pretty clear which one would be received as an offense.

Now suppose the black guy making a joke about a KKK member. Would it be offensive to you? I'm sure KKK would find it offensive. Who is in the right? I'm just tossing questions here to try to bring us to the point that it is very relative. There's humor and there's offense. I'm inclined to think somebody found it funny to link funny Asian-like names with the Asiana incident just for the lulz. As I said, often the prejudice is in our own minds.

We spend too much time worrying about loaded ethnic issues. Maybe if we left them in the past and laughed about each other the world would be a better place.

Now some loaded joke for you:

Do you know why the palms and the sole of the black people are white? Because God had them stay on all fours to paint them. Do you know why the arsehole of the white people is black? Because the ink was still fresh when God made them.

I am white. Should I feel offended? Or did I offend the black out there? (My partner is black mind you and I've told her this joke in a similar discussion). I find it innocuous (and particularly funny on the second part). Other might be outraged.

Food for thought.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:18am

Re:
The news station should be skewered by its audience for this, and I wonder why the government has interns speaking to the media on its behalf. Seems like if I ran a company or agency, I would want to protect its reputation a little better than that.

I agree about Channel 2 should be skewered. But in their defense, it looks like the guy gathering the news did attempt to get a second source for the story. But got burnt by both sources.

One thing to observe: they did name NTSB as one of the sources but not the other-- presumably the "originating" source of the bad pun.

As for an interm, either NTSB didn't go over the media policy with their interms or this particular interm didn't pay attention-- and "acted outside the scope of his authority" when he lied. The result will probably be a review of the media policy, a matter of HR review with the interm and prehaps a talk with the interm program with the college where this guy come from.
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DB, 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:25am

My mental picture of this is a NTSB intern getting a phone call from a "news station". Perhaps the intern there sounded like one of their friends, and they asked to confirm a few names. The NTSB intern, being brighter than a typical newsroom intern (and much brighter than an 'on-air personality') heard the names, assumed they were being punked, suppressed a snicker, and confirmed in the most formal language they could muster.

I did read a story where they identified the unfortunate intern, a Mr. H. Jablome. Haywood is likely to lose his job over a momentary lapse of judgement.
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John Fenderson (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:43am

Re: Re:
But in their defense, it looks like the guy gathering the news did attempt to get a second source for the story.

That's no defense. The names were obviously a prank. No second source was needed.

As for an interm, either NTSB didn't go over the media policy with their interms or this particular interm didn't pay attention

It seems much more likely that the intern was aware of the policy, but took advantage of the opportunity to help get the prank on the air, all the while snickering about how idiotic the news people are.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:45am

Re: Yes, let's take the focus off our incompetent pilots and talk about racism instead
of course, we all know how preoccupied the US is with Racism.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 10:48am

"a Mr. H. Jablome. Haywood is likely to lose his job over a momentary lapse of judgement."

GOOD.. One less racist moron on the payroll, I am sure NTSB can do better anyway.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 11:03am

Re: Diverting
That was exactly my thought. If they had any intention of winning they would go to Las Vegas. At least the odds are better there...
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Rekrul, 15 Jul 2013 @ 11:11am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Political correctness is simply an attempt to have an inclusive formal language. What a horror.

Please don't use the word "horror". Its pronunciation sounds like "whore-er" which some might find offensive. Please use "emotionally distressing occurrence" instead.
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Rekrul, 15 Jul 2013 @ 11:15am

The real tragedy of this story is that they couldn't have found an alternate spelling for "Fuk", that would have gotten the news reader to pronounce it with a short "u" sound.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 11:28am

Re:
Letmeguess, the first name just so happens to be Heywood.

Sorry about that DB.
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Andrew Lee, 15 Jul 2013 @ 11:52am

Fox why do you guys have to be sofa king we todd ed?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 12:05pm

Re:
Ya, it wasn't really "racist", but it was very rude, since people, tho not the pilots, died.
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Oblate (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 12:08pm

Re: What part was Racist?
I think the part that was offensive to many was that they used fake Chinese names to identify fake South Korean pilots.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 12:24pm

wow. This is just stupid!!
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 12:24pm

Wow. This is really stupid!
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 12:51pm

I can't imagine how scary it was to be on that flight. Glad it wasn't me!
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 1:18pm

if this is a joke its not very funny one
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 3:03pm

Re:
di chu yung
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 3:08pm

So who exactly is this intern, Bart Simpson?
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btrussell (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 4:25pm

Re: Re:
"I do not get any of them."

Sofa king sad.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 4:37pm

god, can you imagine??
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Wally (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 5:10pm

Ummm...no...just...no.
"Yes, the use of those names was racist and offensive. And, yes, it was absolutely ridiculous that it made it on the air. But it's almost as ridiculous to then file a lawsuit over such a thing. Asiana is going to have one hell of a time proving any "damage" to the airline's reputation from that report, as opposed to, I don't know, the actual crash landing. It seems that Asiana's reputation is already hurt, but not because of any fake names, but rather for its inability to properly land an airplane."

Since when is it ever not lawful or offensive to remotely make racial comments like those made by the NTSB intern and since when is it not ever against the law to falsify an NTSB report.

First let's talk about the NTSB intern's actions.
He falsified the names of the pilots and posted those false names into federal records and official NTSB logs...which is a class 4 federal offense. Then, the NRSB not reviewing the intern's work..which by federal law they are obligated to do.

This was blatantly racist and to be honest I'm disgusted by it.

Second, KTVU should have inquired the NTSB for the official names before they aired the names. Freedom of press is not protected when a media source does something or says something egregiously racial...even in editorial commentary.

They should both be sued and I hope they both get fined.
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Anon, 15 Jul 2013 @ 7:53pm

Re: Re: Re:
Your fat uncle is a really big Phan?
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Anon, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:02pm

Re: Re: Re:
The intern needs to be instructed that humor is lost on some people.
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Anon, 15 Jul 2013 @ 8:10pm

Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
Seriously, "it was the intern"? I'm sure some employee thought he was being punked and when the shit hit the fan, they blame some mythical intern... "It was, ummm... Heywood. Yeah, it was him."

Anyone with a tenth of a brain would know this was a joke, so it's not like it could be considered deliberate falsifying of a report.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2013 @ 9:58pm

Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
Hey Wally,

Here is a hint for you.

TRY READING THE FUKING ARTICLE.

First let's talk about the NTSB intern's actions.
He falsified the names of the pilots and posted those false names into federal records and official NTSB logs...

The intern only confirmed that the names were correct, the intern DID NOT supply the names.

Second, KTVU should have inquired the NTSB for the official names before they aired the names. Freedom of press is not protected when a media source does something or says something egregiously racial...even in editorial commentary.

They did contact the NTSB for confirmation and someone at the NTSB confirmed that they were the correct names.

You the sort of thin skinned nancy boy who will not be happy till all speech has to be moderated incase someone is offended. Do you understand what a joke is?

What was said may have been in bad taste, but was not racist.
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Mike Masnick (profile), 15 Jul 2013 @ 11:54pm

Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
Wally, just a few days ago, I pointed out that you have a habit of making statements that are just flat out wrong. You've done so again.

Since when is it ever not lawful or offensive to remotely make racial comments like those made by the NTSB intern and since when is it not ever against the law to falsify an NTSB report.

You should look at the First Amendment. Racist speech (as long as it doesn't reach the level of "hate speech") is lawful. It may be offensive and prove that the speaker is an ignorant idiot, but it is not illegal.

Second the NTSB internet did not make racial comments.

Third, no one falsified an NTSB report.

First let's talk about the NTSB intern's actions.
He falsified the names of the pilots and posted those false names into federal records and official NTSB logs...which is a class 4 federal offense. Then, the NRSB not reviewing the intern's work..which by federal law they are obligated to do.

He did none of that. Seriously. You should read stuff before you comment. All he did was confirm the names when KTVU called.

This was blatantly racist and to be honest I'm disgusted by it.

Lots of people are disgusted by it, but he didn't do what you claim he did.

Second, KTVU should have inquired the NTSB for the official names before they aired the names.

Um, that's exactly what you did.
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Pseudonym, 16 Jul 2013 @ 12:26am

Re: Diverting
I thought that myself. The Streisand Effect in reverse, perhaps?
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Wally (profile), 16 Jul 2013 @ 6:17am

Re: Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
Earlier today, in response to an inquiry from a media outlet, a summer intern acted outside the scope of his authority when he erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew on the aircraft.

The NTSB does not release or confirm the names of crewmembers or people involved in transportation accidents to the media. We work hard to ensure that only appropriate factual information regarding an investigation is released and deeply regret today's incident.

Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that such a serious error is not repeated.

Read that second paragraph in the statement from the NTSB....then take a CLOSER LOOK at the last sentence of the statement....that indicates that someone in the NTSB gave the KTVU those names over the phone. Maybe you should read about the Civil Rights Act...because apparently in your eyes, racism should be protected by the First amendment...even in journalism.

Second, racial slurs like the ones broadcasted are huge FCC violations concerning news reports.

"Lots of people are disgusted by it, but he didn't do what you claim he did."

Well let's see, you are telling me this all was merely a joke by the NTSB intern correct? How could it not be done on purpose if those joke names were sent to KTVU. KTVU should be fined by the FCC for posting those as the real names of the pilots.

No matter how you look at it, it was racist Mike Mansick....and according to FCC rules and the Civil Rights Act....both KTVU and the NTSB should be in deep trouble over this.
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Wally (profile), 16 Jul 2013 @ 6:19am

Re: Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
"The intern only confirmed that the names were correct, the intern DID NOT supply the names"

Still makes him responsible and the NTSB responsible for his actions...which of course I did say they were if you didn't notice...
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Wally (profile), 16 Jul 2013 @ 6:22am

Re: Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
It wasn't a meme joke at all. They actually broadcast the names. The Bay Area and San Francisco have a prominently Asian populations which makes this issue a bit more than just a mere joke.
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Michael, 16 Jul 2013 @ 7:00am

Re: Re: Re: Ummm...no...just...no.
racial slurs like the ones broadcasted are huge FCC violations concerning news reports

No, actually, they are not. I am not sure where you got this information, but it is incorrect.

you are telling me this all was merely a joke by the NTSB intern correct?

This, is unfortunately, where your reading comprehension seems to have fallen short. As noted in the article, the intern simply confirmed the names, someone at KTVU asked him if the captain's name was "Sum Ting Wong" - they did not ask him what the captain's name was. You can (and should) blame the intern for responding yes when asked this question, but he did not make up these names - he was probably more incompetant than nefarious.
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Wally (profile), 16 Jul 2013 @ 7:37am

"This, is unfortunately, where your reading comprehension seems to have fallen short. As noted in the article, the intern simply confirmed the names, someone at KTVU asked him if the captain's name was "Sum Ting Wong" - they did not ask him what the captain's name was. You can (and should) blame the intern for responding yes when asked this question, but he did not make up these names - he was probably more incompetant than nefarious."

He was given those names by his superiors as the fact check....and KTVU took it and RAN WITH THEIR OWN JOKE...once again thanks for proving my point correct while trying to prove me wrong.

You missed this:
"No matter how you look at it, it was racist Mike Mansick....and according to FCC rules and the Civil Rights Act....both KTVU and the NTSB should be in deep trouble over this."
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ahow628 (profile), 16 Jul 2013 @ 3:24pm

And the takedown...
Apparently KTVU has taken down the video. Is that legal?
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jul 2013 @ 4:40pm

Re: Re: Diverting
definitely so!
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MightyTravels, 28 Jan 2014 @ 2:09pm

So what happened?
What happened to the story? Torsten @ http://www.mightytravels.com
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