Originally Posted by
travelinmanS
Would UA let you deplane in such a situation or do they make you stay onboard for an hour or two and then fly to sfo?
Generally, no. Especially for shorter diversions.
Would have to go to a gate and open the door, that triggers all sort of things. Plus you have the issues of those with checked bags and trying to explain why a potential carry-on only is allowed to leave.
Has this done, yes. I was on a SFO-ATL flight that diverted to BNA and a couple of BNA residents did get off but it was a longer diversion