Jessica Leeds claimed that in the early 1980s she was on a flight to New York and was upgraded into an empty first class seat next to Donald Trump. She says Trump lifted the armrest and began to touch her inappropriately (“He was like an octopus”).
Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson went on television and invoked ‘the aviation defense’ where she just starts naming older aircraft models. Bizarrely she suggests that L-1011s and DC-10s didn’t fly to New York, so we don’t have to look at those aircraft. And first class armrests don’t move.
THE AVIATION DEFENSE BY KATRINA PIERSON!!! pic.twitter.com/iKXEBY2dTW
— sam esfandiari (@samesfandiari) October 13, 2016
Put another way…
Now I didn’t start flying first class regularly until the mid- to late-90s. I grew up in New York in the 70s and 80s, and flew frequently, but always in coach. (My earliest memory is of a car service to the airport before a TWA flight.)
However @ParkeBench went on a tweetstorm.
With proof that there were L-1011s and DC-10s with movable armrests, Pierson’s argument rests entirely on the notion that neither aircraft type served the New York market.
Except that the original L-1011 concept came out of discussions between American Airlines and Lockheed for a plane that would fly transatlantic from New York (and Dallas) and the inaugural commercial flight of the L-1011 was Eastern Airlines Miami – New York. TWA had significant New York operations with L-1011s and even had a famous crash, flight 843 to San Francisco, where all passengers were safely evacuated but the plane was lost to fire.
And while we’re on the subject of out of left field theories, here’s a report of a DC-10 spotting a UFO over… New York.
We rate Pierson’s argument false.
(HT: @pir8z40)
I distinctly remember flying an L-1011 on Eastern from JFK to BDA and a DC-10 from JFK to BOS and SFO-JFK on American.
NYCAviation’s twitter account had chimed in: https://twitter.com/NYCAviation/status/786418297822588929
LOL. It’s like Giuliani remarking the following yesterday about Hillary Clinton: “Don’t tell me, if you said that, that you remember Sept. 11, 2001. I remember Sept. 11, 2001. Yes, yes, you helped to get benefits for the people that were injured that day. But I heard her say one day she was there that day. I was there that day. I don’t remember seeing Hillary Clinton there.”
Shortly thereafter, Giuliani had to eat his words, telling the Associated Press, “I made a mistake. I’m wrong and I apologize. I probably deserve it.”
The reason for this extremely rare expression of contrition by Giuliani? Photos showing Giuliani with, yes, Hillary wearing air masks and walking side by side near ground zero were released online and immediately went viral 🙂
In the internet age, it is simply not wise to claim things that are demonstrably bogus!
Classic Trump deflection:
– blame the victim
– blame the media (dis honest)
– blame ‘the system’ (rigged)
– blame the RNC (dis loyal)
Trump = vulgar buffoon soon to be fired by American voters on November 8
Trump is like Kim Kardashian. Both Idiots getting undeserved attention. Both need to be punched in the face.
At least Kims boobs are fun to look at, trumps might make me throw up.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Gary is a part of the MSM. – Trump Supporter
Katrina Pierson is a liar and a shill. She would deny a sunrise if she thought it would help Trump.
Credit, there are basically two differences between donald and kim. kim screwed only one person to become famous, and that person apparently enjoyed it.
Given what we already knew about Mr. Trump, I was pretty sure that the folks who were certain there weren’t moveable armrests in first class “back in the day” were going to be proven wrong. Just a statistical guess, of course.
It’s unsavory, and unwise, for you to mix politics in with this business blog. I’m not interested in what your political views are, Gary, and I really wish you would be a bit more, what is the word I am looking for, professional.
You would be well served to remove the emotion from some of your posts. I mean this in regards to politics but in general also. It’s not infrequent that I read one of your posts and I raise my eyebrow at the level of drama and emotion that you have peppered into it. I reference your comparison of an airline CEO to a crazy smoking mayor as but one recent example.
If you want to be respected, you must behave in a respectful manner. Surely you know this by now?
no politics, please. Seriously.
AtlantAnne and BeProfessional are the same person, by the way.
And she didn’t like my post on Delta’s CEO. She disagrees often, and that’s cool, but disagree on the facts, if you can’t you criticize a person’s tone I suppose.
Here is a case where the news story of the day touches on the history of travel — whether DC10s and L1011s flew to New York (they did) and whether there were first class seats where armrests moved (there were).
I don’t much worry about whether anyone in particular likes my posts or respects them, that’s not the goal, from the beginning I’ve always written whatever I’ve thought and that’s interested me. Not trying to be anyone else or anything else.
As one travel exec emailed yesterday, “Been working really hard on putting the pieces together and you don’t pull punches..” No I don’t, I say what I think like that or don’t like it.
Oh and I find I go out of my way to read things I disagree with, but if you want to avoid things you disagree with that’s cool too. You don’t need to declare you won’t read anymore as though that hurts me, I put myself out there and I love it when people read but I don’t try to be all things to all people.
I’m most amused when commenters come here and declare they hate me because I’m “so obviously a Democrat” or I’m “in the tank for Trump.” Regular readers have figured out my perspective I think, since I’m happy to share it day in and day out and have been for fourteen years!
Kudos to you, Gary!
I am with @Gary on this. The bit I found most interesting about this post was not that Trump’s spox claims were debunked [easy to do and a daily occurrence], but about the bit of aviation history on the movable armrest in a premium cabin years ago. That, I believe, is well within the area that this blog covers.
Having said that, I understand that Trumpistas are on short fuses and blowing up a lot of late, since their clueless “billionaire” is going down fast in what is beginning to look like the making of a massive landslide.
“Jessica Leeds, 74”. Back then she was 45 and you really believe Trump would go for such old woman when he coild get any young pus.y? Gary, how bad is your judgement ?!
And why would not you post anything about enablers’ husband that has been accused of rapes?
Stick to posting about miles and points please. Your political views are well known.
My partner flew DC10s for AA from JFK to LAX, SFO, DFW and ORD regularly for many years from the late 70’s to 90’s. Probably many more places as well, these are just the ones I remember going on countless times. Stupidest.Lie.Ever.
clickbait. and I bit.
The horror…
http://www.gq.com/story/kennedy-ted-senator-profile
No politics! You sound like a drama lover. I run over here to get away from all the politics and you have to drag that over here as well. You arent a professional blogger like you claimed to be.
I hate the political posts here – and they’re getting more prevalent. I will admit when I heard the story this morning, my first thought was Gary will know what plane was used, and whether the armrests moved. And that was the extent of what I wanted to hear – you’re an expert on travel. And that’s all I want to hear about. Just like actors thinking because they have a big audience, their political views are somehow more important than the masses.
Yes, you do have a right to write what you want – and I have the right to skip over it. My FB page is full of stuff I skip over, I wish politics wouldn’t infiltrate this blog that I learn so much from and enjoy. Personally I see enough negative feedback on your political posts that you’d rethink continued postings. Hopefully they’ll end on Nov 8.
Dont want to be labled a hater of Trump or a supporter of HRC? Keep your site politics free! Focus your efforts on flight info.
It’s not politics. Katrina Pierson, dumbest woman on the planet, made an
Incorrect assertion
Gotta be called out. Trump admitted he does those things and a 74 yo
Woman confirmed it.
Who ya gonna believe?
Who cares if a private citizen said something in a lockerroom, had octopus arms, or talked dirty??? I dont care about his taxes either.
However public officials should be held to a MUCH HIGHER standard! Seems that only republicans are!
Trump supporters are voting AGAINST the establishment, MSM, politics as usual, too big to fail, Obamacare, and all the lies and liars (THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!)
Hiliary supporters are voting AGAINST Mr Trump – A Hardworking, straight, God-fearing, American loving businessman – with a record of successes.
The fact is Hiliary Clinton’s pay to play scheme with the Clinton foundation, lies/attitude about American murder in Benghazi, her hatred for Catholics and Bill’s Bimbos, and her email exposure disqualify her for any public office.
HILIARY CLINTON IS A TRAITOR!
And so is everyone who votes for her
When I first heard this, I wondered myself about the arm rests and I thought “I hope Gary writes about this.”
BTW, I’m a loyal reader but I’m not sure if I know exactly what your political stance is: I *think* it’s libertarian or perhaps “non-traditional conservative,” but I’m not really sure. I know I agree with you on some issues and disagree with you on others, but even when I disagree with you, I’ve always felt your arguments were fact based.
Jon, you sound like the dumbest person, not Katrina. Please read or watch what Trump said.
“When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do any of that. (Laughter.)” “they let you do it”. LET is a key. You said that “Trump admitted he does those things” is a typical typical liberal lie.
HILLARY FOR PRISON
Sasha – wow. Talk about tone deaf. A true Deplorable.
Mser, let’s talk about Broaddrick, Jones, interns and others that are true victims and accused rapist enabler
Gary – please cut the political crap… it’s just that.. crap. Blog about what you’re best at – selling a credit card.
And no – this isn’t another post from AtlantAnne or Be Professional. Just another reader asking you to stay on travel topics.
@veto – Trump has never worked hard in his life, but hey, if you believe he is a Gd-fearing, American-loving success then here, let me sell you a bridge that I own lolol
I have fond memories of flying L-1011s out of New York as a kid. Loved walking around and always thought the row of lavatories in the back was cool. What a stupid, stupid comment by this defender.
Amazing! Gary simply posted the facts, I reread his article and cannot see where he was being political. For the right wingers (trolls) who jumped to conclusions and knee jerk attacked Gary claiming that the article had a political bias I only have one thing to say “loosers” oops, I meant losers. This is just one more reason we need better schoooools!
@PW, “cannot see where he was being political”. Not only better schools but better glasses, maybe?
Comprehension issue can be taken care of with better education, but “fixing blindness” requires different measure. If you meant that you simple “cannot” then you might not be capable? Try harder, no need to be a “looser”, oops, I meant loser.
Disappointed in this exchange.
We all have our political viewpoints, but prefer to review this d ialogue for helpful travel ideas.
Gary — you can say whatever you want on your blog and the readers can decide whether to read it or not. I enjoy your posts and am glad you wrote about the arm rests. I didn’t take a plane flight until my 20s (and only once in FC), so I had no experience to draw on.
“Veto” and “Don” are indicative of the types of people who support Trump.
Gary can say whatever he chooses on his blog. His blog. His opinions. Plus, he actually uses facts.
If someone doesn’t like whatever he says about any topic he chooses, I suggest you cancel your subscription.
Check out this blog and the comments, http://www.edrants.com/exclusive-debunking-trumps-lies-jessica-leedss-flight-had-movable-armrests/.
Gary
Let’s try to keep politics out of this. . .The pictures posted were Lounge seats not the passenger seats in First class.
The top was from TWO L1011 Lounge which had four seats and the National was from their First class Lounge. All these lounge seats were removed fro revenue seats with Deregulation, plus national gone by 1979/80.
Revenue First class had non raisable armrests in-between which housed a small table for drinks. In another site, they showed a Braniff pic but that was their economy with fold down middle seat.
Can we please stop aiming TV cameras at Katrina Pierson? Good for nothing brainless filth-spewing lowlife.
And take Kellyanne Conway and Rudy Giuliani with her too.
I have flown first class a lot, I do not know of one person ” invited ” as she said on tape into first class, you have upgraded in your article, there is a big difference. Airline don’t invite while you are on flight, she also said she went back to her coach seat after the touchy feely she enjoyed if only he had stuck to her upper part of her body. ONE LOONY BIRD !!!!!
Its Garys blog and he can wtite what he wants. You can do the same too, just start a blog.
Just think trump supporters…this man could one day assault your wife or sister or daughter!!!!
Groper or accomplice to Groper – it balances out for me. Let’s get back to the agenda you most support. I’m in favor of creating jobs – and people filling them. I”m not in favor of taxing those who provide jobs (unfairly) and I’m not in favor of paying folks to sit around collecting checks for doing nothing. I think we know who we’re talking about here.
Oh, and I like turtles!
Gary groped me on a flight to NYC. I have as much proof as Jessica.
@Karen Kennedy
How about you suggest to your relatives what to do? They might or might not be interested in your suggestions.
@gary
yawn
Who cares if the arm rests move or not. She is a fricken liar and hired by Hillary!!!
Couple of quick comments:
The National brand was gone in 1980 but that was because they were bought up by PanAm. The DC-10s continued to fly for PAA for several years, which turned out to be more trouble than it was worth as it added yet another type to the fleet.
The quick-change seats, with the middle seat fold down, were being used in the industry a Business/Domestic First at least as late as 1993 when I last encountered them in First on an Airbus A320.
While most of my First Class upgrades have come before boarding the plane, as late as 1994 I had been granted (and accepted) a quietly offered upgrade to a mostly empty First class. By this point the catering was matching the manifest closer so sometimes it would be the First class seat with a coach meal, but I wasn’t complaining.
Does any of this support Jessica Leed’s story? Not really, but it does raise questions about people willing to shut her down based on their own blanket assumptions that they way the flight industry works today is exactly how it worked 36 years ago, in 1980, when Ms. Leeds was 38, the age at which the alleged event took place.
PS my poor, quiet little Twitter account has been blowing up. Perhaps next week, I’ll do a post on aircraft ashtrays. 🙂
@Marilyn Johnson. I have been flying all 3 classes of service depending on a variety of reasons since the late 60’s. Firstly, I have been invited to FC, several times. Most because I had been on an upgrade list, didn’t make it, but after the door closed, and the during first 15 minutes of flight, when someone, probably full revenue didn’t show. I have also been invited up twice by senior male flight attendants, who later asked me out. Incidentally, I accepted both.
I also distinctly remember 2 flights between about 75-85on UAL where the hard armrest between FC seats was removed for passengers adjacent to me. I believe both flights were on DC10’some from /to SFO.
@Randy. I agree with you, I am supporting HRC too so ‘job creators’ are taxed fairly, and people will be given the opportunity to meet their full God given potential so as not to burden greater society.
@Gary, Thank You for this blog. Please continue to write exactly what you want, people obviously seem to like it. Complainers are always going to complain, and you are correct, I toonly find most to be suspect Delta or the other two employees.
I also have a question for you, if you have time and it interests you. I flew on anew all FC seating Brannon plane with my family from DFW to Hawaii in 1977. It was a promotionAL contest prize for the top 50 sellers of Schadel cabinet’s my Dad won. It was an incredible trip for the whole family, all 7. Air, meals, lodging at the Kahala Hilton and entertainment. Anyway, I have been arguing with my much younger siblings for several years that it was a single aisle plane. I believe it was a specially configured 707, they sayou I am mistaken. I was 23, they were 7 and 9. Please ,if you can, please settle this for us. Thanks,
JON