This United Flyer & Her Dog BOTH Need Obedience Lessons
Jeff Edwards August 17, 2015
A woman was recently removed from a United flight after refusing to return her dog to its carrier, but she didn’t leave quietly.
When a dog began snapping and growling at flight attendants on a recent United Express flight from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Chicago O’ Hare International Airport (ORD), the crew asked the owner to put her dog in its carrier. Little did the crew know, the cranky canine had a slightly better temperament than its owner.
While other passengers tried to ignore the bizarre disturbance as authorities boarded the Embraer 175 , one passenger filmed the entire ordeal. The video picks up after the flight returns to gate, moments after police board. When the woman confirms to officers that the dog belongs to her, they inform her that the captain requested she deplane.
“I want my money back before I get off this plane,” the woman is heard matter-of-factly telling police. When an officer explained that wasn’t going to happen, the situation quickly escalated.
It soon becomes apparent the dog owner is not to be reasoned with, but when an officer tries to make her understand the she is holding up the entire flight, her response is unassailable: “I don’t care, you’re holding me up.”
After being warned that she will go to jail if she doesn’t cooperate, the woman responds with a warning of her own. She issues a series of vague threats as she and her dog are physically removed from the plane.
“Don’t you take my dog,” she can be heard screeching as an officer reach for the carrier. “If you take my dog, I’m going to sue this country.”
For several moments after passenger, dog and police have left the frame, the irate woman can be heard screaming. According to United, the dog owner’s bark was worse than her bite.
“SkyWest flight 6227, operating as United Express from Salt Lake City to Chicago, returned to the gate after a passenger refused to comply with safety rules regarding in-flight transportation of pets,” the airline said in a statement. “The passenger was removed by local law enforcement, and the flight continued to Chicago.”
[Video: MrAdownie, YouTube]
payam81 -- I don't agree with you at all. Small dogs in their carrier or service dogs should be allowed in the cabin. You sound like you are cruel to animals. This lady should be flying her broom instead of on an airplane.
I agree with @Open Jaw -- make the fines so painful that no one bothers to pull this crap. Definitely agree with the captain's decision to remove her from the flight.
Let's add her to the list of people that feel entitled to do as the please on a flight. This includes but is not limited to those that get up when seat belt sign is fastened, use their phone in flight, don't stow laptop when asked, and / or put 2 or 3 bags in the overhead bin. If so many others are not following the rules then how can we expect her to?
That's a lot of plastic surgery and many years of having three martinis before getting on a plane.
Was she moved initially? Looks like a bulkhead seat and you're never allowed a pet in the bulkhead, regardless of class of service. Totally gross.