Originally Posted by geheim

Hi,

I want to ask everyone here if you have any advice for me regarding an airline/travel incident that happened to me yesterday. Basically I was escorted off a flight by police officers for complaining to a flight attendant while a flight was on the tarmac for an hour waiting for a gate to open.

I took an American Airlines flight which arrived at Washington Reagan airport and had to sit on the tarmac for about an hour because the gates were full. After 30 minutes, I complained to a flight attendant on board, and asked what was causing the delay, how much longer the delay would last, and what kind of compensation the airline would offer passengers for the delay. She said that she didn't know any of this, and when I described the situation as "....ing ridiculous," she said that I shouldn't swear at her unless I wanted the police to meet us at the gate. I said that I didn't swear "at" her, and that this is America, we have freedom of speech here, and I would used whatever adjectives I wanted to describe this situation, even though she might find that distasteful. The whole conversation was in a normal tone and not loud at all... actually kind of quiet, although other passengers in the adjacent rows could hear. The flight attendant left abruptly and apparently called police because when the plane finally got to the gate everyone was told to retake their seats and I was singled out and escorted off the plane by two police officers. They ordered me to sit at one of the lounge chairs, where I explained what had happened. I was not arrested or charged with anything, although the lead officer told me that swearing in Virginia is a misdemeanor. I was also told that I could be charged with "starting a riot" since I had told the flight attendant that I would tell other passengers nearby me to complain to the gate agent along with me. I was followed by the officers to the baggage claim area where I got my luggage. Two other passengers came up to me and showed their support. One of them gave me her cell phone number. I left after getting the officers' badge numbers and names.

I told the officers that this was nothing more than an intimidation tactic by the airline and flight attendant, although they couldn't care less. By the time I was leaving, they were getting into an argument with another passenger and his wife from the same flight. What do you think my first step in pursuing redress for this should be? I plan on contacting a few lawyers. I've never had any problems like this with airlines before. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.