In a recent announcement to their frequent fliers, Alaska
Airline noted that the prayer cards that had been a benchmark of customer
service for thirty years would be discontinued.
For those who have not traveled Alaskan Air, it has been a
trademark for the airline to provide the prayer cards on meal trays. The
practice has had its detractors from the beginning, but also has received
praise for its’ low-key positive message.
Last fall the company decided to stop distributing the cards
because, airline spokesperson Bobbie Egan said, “We believe it's the right
thing to do in order to respect the diverse religious beliefs and cultural
attitudes of all our customers and employees.”
“…[W]e've heard from many
of you who believe religion is inappropriate on an airplane, and some are
offended when we hand out the cards. Religious beliefs are deeply personal and
sharing them with others is an individual choice.”
“It always seemed odd to me,” said George Hobica of the consumer
travel website Airfarewatchdog.com. “Flying on a wing and prayer? I don’t think
those two go together.”
Travel humor aside, Alaskan Airlines responded to a legitimate
sensitivity to the ever-changing cultural attitudes of the flying public.
However, in other places in the world, such a practice would not be seen as
offensive. Whether one is in an airport in Chennai, Bangkok, Tegucigalpa, or
Manila, religious paraphernalia is not uncommon. I suspect most “Americans”
traveling on Alaskan Air would not be offended by such religious encounters in
these cities, but would simply identify the religious reference with the
culture. So, is the culture in the U.S. becoming areligious? What do you think?
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