Passenger removed from DEL-JFK AA293 on 30 Jan 2023
Feb 5, 23, 2:45 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 853
The little the airline said included "Disruptive passenger".
I have no doubt that's exactly what she was.
While the idea that everyone from the FA supervisor to the Captain maliciously decided to remove sweet old Auntie, delaying the flight, removing baggage, banning her from further flights on the airline, because they're just such awful, lazy, cruel people is very juicy, it's so far fetched it's beyond belief.
This was going to cause a major issue, and everyone on the crew would've been well aware they'd be called to account.
It saddens me how many are falling for her story without stopping to think.
I have no doubt that's exactly what she was.
While the idea that everyone from the FA supervisor to the Captain maliciously decided to remove sweet old Auntie, delaying the flight, removing baggage, banning her from further flights on the airline, because they're just such awful, lazy, cruel people is very juicy, it's so far fetched it's beyond belief.
This was going to cause a major issue, and everyone on the crew would've been well aware they'd be called to account.
It saddens me how many are falling for her story without stopping to think.
Feb 5, 23, 3:40 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 920
AA crew are quick to label any passenger 'disruptive' without reason. Any innocuous comment, even if meant in a nice way is easily misconstrued and the next thing you know the FA is complaining to the captain. I've been 'reported' for commenting on my disappointment that AA only provided XL pjs to a First with mainly woman in the cabin on my flight, when the next thing I know she's talking to the capt and casting glances in my direction. The slightest thing can set certain people off, there were no repercussions in this case though.
Feb 5, 23, 3:44 pm
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 853
AA crew are quick to label any passenger 'disruptive' without reason. Any innocuous comment, even if meant in a nice way is easily misconstrued and the next thing you know the FA is complaining to the captain. I've been 'reported' for commenting on my disappointment that AA only provided XL pjs to a First with mainly woman in the cabin on my flight, when the next thing I know she's talking to the capt and casting glances in my direction. The slightest thing can set certain people off, there were no repercussions in this case though.
A late flight, lawsuit and viral bad publicity for doing that without justification in front of several hundred witnesses would never be taken lightly by corporate and easily proven in court as unjustified.
Feb 5, 23, 3:53 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 10,647
That said, the usual gripe about AA FAs is that they do too little. Offloading a passenger is unnecessary work.
Its definitely possible that the FA was needlessly abrasive. However the pax likely did respond and escalate. Right or wrong, arguing with an FA is generally a bad idea.
Feb 5, 23, 9:15 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, AA EXP
Posts: 2,650
Fellow FT'ers always write "there is more to the story". American Airlines is free to post their side of the story.
If somebody does have cancer and is traveling to receive critical medical treatment, it is easy to get overwhelmed.
If somebody does have cancer and is traveling to receive critical medical treatment, it is easy to get overwhelmed.
Feb 5, 23, 9:18 pm
#22
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Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 853
I'm sure their large and competent legal department has advised them not to go into further detail, saving it for the courtroom should it go that far.
Feb 5, 23, 9:38 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 645
I'm not claiming that's definitely what happened, but imho it's at least as likely as the pax-as-villain hypothesis.
Feb 6, 23, 12:16 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, AA EXP
Posts: 2,650
All of these issues can be solved with security cameras. We have cameras on buses, trains, and subways. It's not unreasonable to have security cameras on airplanes and have those security cameras used as evidence. Then, these cases will be solved in seconds. And it will allow for better training for FAs and allow for more consistent service.
Sometimes, somebody instigates and the other person gets emotional as a result. Then, that emotional person gets accused of being uncooperative. However, the instigator never instigated, there would be no conflict.
Feb 6, 23, 12:53 am
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 853
It's funny how people are held to higher standards of ethnics than corporations.
All of these issues can be solved with security cameras. We have cameras on buses, trains, and subways. It's not unreasonable to have security cameras on airplanes and have those security cameras used as evidence. Then, these cases will be solved in seconds. And it will allow for better training for FAs and allow for more consistent service.
Sometimes, somebody instigates and the other person gets emotional as a result. Then, that emotional person gets accused of being uncooperative. However, the instigator never instigated, there would be no conflict.
All of these issues can be solved with security cameras. We have cameras on buses, trains, and subways. It's not unreasonable to have security cameras on airplanes and have those security cameras used as evidence. Then, these cases will be solved in seconds. And it will allow for better training for FAs and allow for more consistent service.
Sometimes, somebody instigates and the other person gets emotional as a result. Then, that emotional person gets accused of being uncooperative. However, the instigator never instigated, there would be no conflict.
There are plenty of witnesses, who I'm confident the airline spoke with prior to describing the passenger publicly as "belligerent" and banning her.
Strangely, none of her fellow passengers chose to step in to put this sweet old lady's 5 pound bag into the overhead, which may be a clue that the story isn't as described by the woman complaining to the media.
Feb 6, 23, 7:07 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 26,903
Im sure the truth is somewhere in between little old auntie and rabid passenger.
