Ginny McDavid, a parent from Houston ISD and a former flight attendant with United Airlines, is seeking to reclaim her position after alleging that she was terminated for confronting and criticizing state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles during an encounter at Bush Intercontinental Airport’s United Airlines lounge.
On April 9, McDavid recorded the incident, during which she vocally expressed her discontent with Miles, stating, “You need to get the hell out of town,” and labeling him a “disgrace to Houston ISD.”
She subsequently shared the video on social media, which garnered attention and led to coverage by local news outlets. McDavid believes that the news reports on the confrontation prompted Miles, along with his Deputy Chief of Staff, Nici Esch, to file a complaint with United Airlines, urging them to terminate her employment.
“I think [the news coverage is] kind of what irked Esch and Miles and prompted them to file a complaint,” McDavid told Houston Public Media.
After the incident, McDavid was fired by United Airlines in May, a decision the airline has not commented on but cited as resulting from the complaints made by Miles and Esch.
Houston ISD issued a statement expressing concern regarding the verbal altercation, describing McDavid’s conduct as “vulgar and aggressive” and supported their Superintendent.
Miles has been a contentious figure since his appointment in 2023 by the Texas Education Agency, following a series of failing grades at a Houston ISD high school. His subsequent reforms have led to improvements in standardized test scores, albeit amidst significant changes in staffing and curriculum that have not gained universal support.
At a recent school board meeting, McDavid addressed Miles and the board directly about her termination. “I guess Miles sleeps better at night now that his contract includes a bodyguard to protect him from 5-foot-2 disgruntled HISD moms like me lurking in the shadows instead of teaching our kids about the land of the free and home of the brave,” she remarked, pointing towards the ongoing controversies surrounding his leadership.
McDavid is currently appealing her termination, supported by the district chapter of her union, the Association of Flight Attendants and Communications Workers of America, AFA/CWA. Documentation shared with Houston Public Media indicates that the union contends her firing lacks just cause and is disproportionate in light of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Despite Texas being an at-will employment state, where employees can be let go for nearly any reason, McDavid asserts that her position as a flight attendant falls under the protection of the Railway Labor Act, which requires that the airline demonstrate just cause for termination.
United Airlines initiated an investigation into McDavid on April 28, weeks after the encounter, following a formal complaint submitted by Esch on April 14. Esch described feeling personally targeted by McDavid and characterized her as “extremely agitated” during the confrontation with Miles.
In a termination letter from United Airlines dated May 17, the airline claims that McDavid’s actions amounted to serious violations of company policy and posed a potential reputational risk to the brand. The letter stated that while she had not been previously under any disciplinary warnings, the nature of her activities justified her termination.
During the appeal process, McDavid acknowledged her misstep in entering the United lounge and expressed her commitment to adhere to company policy going forward. The union highlighted that such lounge access practices are commonplace among flight attendants, suggesting that her termination is excessively punitive.
Throughout the investigation, McDavid defended her actions by stating, “first and foremost, I am a mother. I will do anything I have to do to protect my child.” The union’s appeal emphasizes the need for United’s policies to consider employee circumstances instead of rigidly applying rules.
The union has refrained from commenting specifically on McDavid’s case but has reiterated its commitment to uphold fair employment practices for its flight attendant members.
As her appeal unfolds, McDavid has expressed willingness to explore all available options, including potential litigation if her case does not resolve in her favor.
“I would love for them to offer my job back, but short of that I want a settlement,” she stated, articulating her determination to seek justice in the matter.
McDavid also believes her termination infringes upon her First Amendment rights, insisting that as an engaged citizen, she has the right to speak out on matters affecting her community and children’s education.
“I wear more than one hat. I’m an HISD taxpayer, I’m an HISD parent, I’m a member of the community, and yes, I also happen to have a job,” she concluded, calling for individuals to feel empowered to advocate for their rights and not be silenced in pursuit of necessary dialogue.
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
