Passenger pulled from UA flight for misunderstood question?
Jul 20, 2010 | 11:20 am
#1
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Passenger pulled from UA flight for misunderstood question?
Just came across this blog post:
If true, this seems like a major overreaction from the FA who could have asked, "Sorry, could you repeat that?" Thoughts? Anyone heard more about this incident?
I get to the airport, boarded my plane and I’m sitting in first class. The flight attendant was right in front of me and was curious if they were going to serve meals onboard. So I asked her, “Are you serving any meals during our flight?”
She looked at me kinda funny and said, “I can’t answer that for security reasons.”
A little puzzled, I wondered how it affected security but I let it pass as she went into the cockpit. About three minutes later, two armed Austin police officers boarded the plane, looked at me and said, “Sugarman, follow us.”
[...]
Finally a United representative approached me with my bags and said “We are taking you off this flight for security reasons.”
“Why” I asked.
“You apparently asked the flight attendant if the Police were onboard,” said the United representative. We’re not taking any chances and the captain asked that you be removed.”
She looked at me kinda funny and said, “I can’t answer that for security reasons.”
A little puzzled, I wondered how it affected security but I let it pass as she went into the cockpit. About three minutes later, two armed Austin police officers boarded the plane, looked at me and said, “Sugarman, follow us.”
[...]
Finally a United representative approached me with my bags and said “We are taking you off this flight for security reasons.”
“Why” I asked.
“You apparently asked the flight attendant if the Police were onboard,” said the United representative. We’re not taking any chances and the captain asked that you be removed.”
Jul 20, 2010 | 11:57 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 208
United removes passenger for asking if they are serving a meal!!!
from: http://consumerist.com/2010/07/unite...be-served.html
quick summary:
a 1st class pssenger asked "Are you serving any meals during our flight?" " and then two Austin cops came and removed him from the flight!
The FA thought he asked if there were police on the flight!
quick summary:
a 1st class pssenger asked "Are you serving any meals during our flight?" " and then two Austin cops came and removed him from the flight!
The FA thought he asked if there were police on the flight!
Jul 20, 2010 | 12:25 pm
#5
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Why didn’t the FA clarify with the guy why he was asking if a LEO was onboard before going into 9/11 Changed Everything™ mode?
Jul 20, 2010 | 12:35 pm
#8
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from: http://consumerist.com/2010/07/unite...be-served.html
quick summary:
a 1st class pssenger asked "Are you serving any meals during our flight?" " and then two Austin cops came and removed him from the flight!
The FA thought he asked if there were police on the flight!
quick summary:
a 1st class pssenger asked "Are you serving any meals during our flight?" " and then two Austin cops came and removed him from the flight!
The FA thought he asked if there were police on the flight!
Jul 20, 2010 | 12:44 pm
#9
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Even if the question "Are there any police on this flight" had been asked, what's the problem with that? It's not like that's making any threat at all.
What if someone had locked their carry on bag (like some of us on this board do) and lost the key? Wouldn't it be reasonable to ask if there was a police officer on board to help with opening it, since sometimes police have some lock-opening skills that they've been taught? In that case, it would be akin to asking for a doctor for a sick patient.
I'd want the name of the FA in this case, and would start writing to United to demand that she be fired. I'd actually try to start a letter writing campaign about getting her fired, if I were in this guy's shoes. Wouldn't that be sweet revenge...
What would it have mattered if Sugarman had actually been asking for police anyway? Hasn't TSA done a good enough job security our sterile areas of the airport? Can't they keep us safe?
What if someone had locked their carry on bag (like some of us on this board do) and lost the key? Wouldn't it be reasonable to ask if there was a police officer on board to help with opening it, since sometimes police have some lock-opening skills that they've been taught? In that case, it would be akin to asking for a doctor for a sick patient.
I'd want the name of the FA in this case, and would start writing to United to demand that she be fired. I'd actually try to start a letter writing campaign about getting her fired, if I were in this guy's shoes. Wouldn't that be sweet revenge...
What would it have mattered if Sugarman had actually been asking for police anyway? Hasn't TSA done a good enough job security our sterile areas of the airport? Can't they keep us safe?
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Jul 20, 2010 at 2:49 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
Jul 20, 2010 | 12:53 pm
#10
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Jul 20, 2010 | 1:05 pm
#11
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Already posted here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l#post14333697
Jul 20, 2010 | 1:07 pm
#12
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Jul 20, 2010 | 1:43 pm
#14
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What if he was referring to the band "the Police".
If I were this guy I would be furious? This is almost too sad to be believed.
If I were this guy I would be furious? This is almost too sad to be believed.
Jul 20, 2010 | 1:56 pm
#15
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