E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines used the Secret Service sex scandal to promote flights to Colombia.
Spirit Airlines issued an apology and pulled a racy ad spoofing the Secret Service Colombian prostitution scandal that many people found offensive.
The Secret Service said Friday that three of its agents under investigation for allegations of misconduct in Colombia have resigned, NBC News reported. In all 12 agents have been implicated, including one who was "cleared of serious misconduct" but will still face administrative action, the agency said.
Spirit Airlines' ad featured women in pink bikinis around an agent implying secrecy and the slogan "More Bang for your Buck" for flights to Cartagena, Colombia – the location of the scandal – as well as other destinations.
Read the original story at NBCMiami.com
At this weekend's ExpoColombia in Miami, community activists said the businesses and tourism being showcased there is what Colombia is all about, not prostitutes.
“I think it would make anybody angry,” activist Fabio Andrade said. "Colombia's more than this. We have worked so hard to change the image of Colombia. We have worked so hard for Colombians to come and tourism to come. The airlines are working very hard to bring tourism to our country, and to do this is denigrating. And people are very offended by this."
12th Secret Service agent implicated in prostitution scandal; three more quit
Spirit Airlines released a statement saying that at the Colombian government’s request, "Spirit pulled its ad yesterday, and we meant no disrespect to our many friends and valued customers."
As new details emerged about the growing scandal that has already taken down several presidential bodyguards, the U.S. Secret Service worked behind-the-scenes on Capitol Hill Friday to salvage its damaged reputation. NBC's Mark Potter reports.
The airlines flies from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to four cities in Colombia.
Several Colombian-American women told NBC 6 the scandal is embarrassing, but Colombia is not the one with the tarnished reputation in this case.
"I just think it’s an embarrassment for the United States agency. That’s who is guilty. Not anybody else," Martha Yepes said.
Myriam Hernandez noted that every country has prostitutes, "not just in Colombia. It’s everywhere."
"I don’t think it reflects badly," said Lauren Santa Cruz. "I just think people need something to talk about, and this is just something that’s happened."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- NBC: Secret Service to oust up to five more agents
- Etan Patz: Second man questioned in missing boy case
- NC judge overturns death penalty due to race
- Zimmerman sorry for shooting Trayvon; bail set at $150,000
- Car parts made out of cash? Ford testing them
Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
I think the ad is very funny...but then again I've never been to Columbia and have no plans to go....Hard to believe they could not have figured out that they would be issuing an apology for this ad when they decided to run it in the first place....
I really don't see the big deal about this so-called Secret Service Scandel, it's really not that big of a deal! I say when in Columbia do as the Columbians do! They are men looking to unwind a little bit before the President actually arrived, and prostitution is legal in some areas of Columbia so what's wrong with men going to pay for some legal Columbian Pussy?!?
Are there any men out there that have any honor, intergrity and standards? Not to mention, how pathetic are you that you have to pay for it?
I'm not married, don't just date casual aqaintances, you pay for the best services at a restaurant, hotel, or any other business, why is it wrong to pay for a date?
I've had dates with beautiful, healthy, well educated professional women for hire dates in Las Vegas that beat hands down any free date any of my friends have tried to fix me up with.
Divorce and marriage is now 50/50. Why risk trying it and end up spending a fortune to divorce.
Every married couple I know has conflict and fights and tension and frustration over not being able to enjoy their individual lives.
Stay single and use your money to get best life you can buy.
Spirit Airlines ran an ad and thought that it was funny.
It pissed off the Columbians since they want tourist money.
The Secret Service fooled around and got their fingers slapped
And no one even gave a crap about our boy Barak.
I just think it’s an embarrassment for the United States agency. That’s who is guilty. Not anybody else," Martha Yepes said. (quote from above article)
Ms. Yepes, you and others like you are in denial if you don't see how the Colombian government, country and culture look bad in this scandal as well. By condoning prostitution you are condoning all the ills that are associated with this "profession." If you do not want to be viewed as a country that caters to just drugs and sex, then demand a change in your laws to outlaw it. By simply stating that other countries legalize prostitution does not legitimize the act itself or the acceptance of such behavior by your government.
Spirit Airlines has been fighting with the US Government since the ruling that they had to be crystal clear on their pricing… so this was a perfect opportunity to kick them where it hurt… and I think the revenge was kind of funny! haha
This is just another fine example of Spirit Airlines bad taste. I would.t be suprised to see Spirit in bankrupcy court soon. Who ever is the CEO of Spirit is a prime example of the Peter principal. Everrtytime you turn around, the are doing one of their moronic acts. WOW!
Spirit America your name is a disgrace to the county. You should be banned from using America and Spirit in your name.
Your no Southwest.
I won't ever fly on spirit unamerican.
I don't care about the secret service thing really, but I wouldn't fly Spirit if you paid me to. There is another article on this site about how much they suck. Look on the front page.
Ido <<<<<< People have been using the phrase "pulled from the market", "pulled the ad" for over 20 years.
WAKE UP! Oh by the way ... just in case you doubted that "pull" is used commonly as an idiom....
pull a fast one
pull a gun
pull a job
pull a muscle
pull a rabbit out of hat
pull a rabbit out of the hat
pull a stunt
pull about
pull ahead
pull all the stops out
pull alongside
pull an add
pull any punches
pull apart
pull around
pull around to
pull aside
pull at
pull away from
pull back
pull by
pull chain
pull down
pull down over
pull for
pull hair out
pull in
pull in ears
pull in front of
pull into
pull into a place
pull leg
pull no punches
pull off
pull on
pull one over on
pull oneself together
pull oneself up by bootstraps
pull or teeth
pull out
pull out all the stops
pull out of
pull out of a hat
pull out of the fire
pull over
pull punches
pull rank
pull socks up
pull something out of the bag
pull strings
Pull the other leg!
pull the plug
pull the rug from under
pull the rug out
pull the strings
pull the wool over eyes
pull through
pull to
pull to pieces
pull together
pull toward oneself
pull under
pull up
Pull up a chair
pull up short
pull up stakes
pull up to
pull weight