Nigerian passenger says UA ejected her for 'pungent' odor
May 11, 18, 10:46 pm
#1
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Nigerian passenger says UA ejected her for 'pungent' odor
https://www.sfgate.com/nation/articl...d-12908304.php
Why wait for 2+ years ... also what that might be??? 
A Nigerian passenger has filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging that United Airlines personnel ejected her and her children from an international flight departing from Houston in 2016 because of her “pungent” odor. According to court documents, Queen Obioma, a frequent flier member on the United’s Star Alliance was traveling from Lagos, Nigeria to Ontario, Canada in March 4, 2016 where her children were going to school.
May 11, 18, 11:42 pm
#3
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During a flight change in Bush Intercontinental Airport, Obioma arrived at her row in business class to find a white passenger sitting in her assigned seat.
United doesn't have business class IAH-SFO.Obioma says United discriminated against her because she is black, African and Nigerian.
Might as well throw in "woman" while at it....
May 11, 18, 11:52 pm
#4
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The conditions of carriage might cover them here, if that's really the issue that caused her to be removed.
H. Safety – Whenever refusal or removal of a Passenger may be necessary for the safety of such Passenger or other Passengers or members of the crew including, but not limited to:
Rule 21 Refusal of Transport
H. Safety – Whenever refusal or removal of a Passenger may be necessary for the safety of such Passenger or other Passengers or members of the crew including, but not limited to:
15. Passengers who have or cause a malodorous condition (other than individuals qualifying as disabled);
May 12, 18, 5:25 am
#6
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On the positive side , UA did manage to reboard the plane, locate her (unaccompanied) children and return them to her.
i do wonder what happened to her checked luggage. Is there another lawsuit pending?
i do wonder what happened to her checked luggage. Is there another lawsuit pending?
May 12, 18, 8:13 am
#7
Join Date: May 2016
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"Obioma arrived at her row in business class to find a white passenger sitting in her assigned seat. He refused to relocate, according to the lawsuit. The flight staff attempted to resolve the conflict, but the man persisted and Obioma agreed to take his seat nearby.
Prior to takeoff, she returned from visiting the restroom and the same male passenger tried to block her access to the seat for several minutes, according to the charges. "
If this had happened to a member of flyertalk, there'd be a riot in this here corner of the internets.
Prior to takeoff, she returned from visiting the restroom and the same male passenger tried to block her access to the seat for several minutes, according to the charges. "
If this had happened to a member of flyertalk, there'd be a riot in this here corner of the internets.
May 12, 18, 10:51 am
#9
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Originally Posted by NeedstoFly
"
Prior to takeoff, she returned from visiting the restroom and the same male passenger tried to block her access to the seat for several minutes, according to the charges. "
Prior to takeoff, she returned from visiting the restroom and the same male passenger tried to block her access to the seat for several minutes, according to the charges. "
May 12, 18, 12:43 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by kubrick
How is this going to be resolved in court? It's just going to be hearsay vs. hearsay, since we don't have the technology to "record" smells yet.
May 12, 18, 1:32 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by davie355
During a flight change in Bush Intercontinental Airport, Obioma arrived at her row in business class to find a white passenger sitting in her assigned seat.
United doesn't have business class IAH-SFO.
May 12, 18, 1:36 pm
#13
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Something smells a bit fishy to me on this one.
Wish UA would do this more often.
Wish UA would do this more often.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 12, 18 at 2:08 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
May 12, 18, 2:16 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by GuyverII
I wish they would remove people for wearing too much perfume.
May 12, 18, 2:55 pm
#15
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During a flight change in Bush Intercontinental Airport, Obioma arrived at her row in business class to find a white passenger sitting in her assigned seat. He refused to relocate, according to the lawsuit. The flight staff attempted to resolve the conflict, but the man persisted and Obioma agreed to take his seat nearby.
Prior to takeoff, she returned from visiting the restroom and the same male passenger tried to block her access to the seat for several minutes, according to the charges. She says a United staffer named in documents as Russel H. ordered her to step off the plane, where she was told by another United agent that the pilot had asked her to exit the plane based on a complaint from the white man sitting near her her, according to the lawsuit
Of course we only have one side of the story. But if her facts are true then IMO the seat poacher is the one who should have been ejected. I find it entirely credible that a racist DYKWIA-type fabricated the whole "smell" complaint. And as noted above, I expect the FT reaction would be different had this been an FTer who was ejected from the flight because someone took his pre-assigned seat.
Moral of story: Don't agree to a seat switch.
Prior to takeoff, she returned from visiting the restroom and the same male passenger tried to block her access to the seat for several minutes, according to the charges. She says a United staffer named in documents as Russel H. ordered her to step off the plane, where she was told by another United agent that the pilot had asked her to exit the plane based on a complaint from the white man sitting near her her, according to the lawsuit
Of course we only have one side of the story. But if her facts are true then IMO the seat poacher is the one who should have been ejected. I find it entirely credible that a racist DYKWIA-type fabricated the whole "smell" complaint. And as noted above, I expect the FT reaction would be different had this been an FTer who was ejected from the flight because someone took his pre-assigned seat.
Moral of story: Don't agree to a seat switch.
