SpeedyVagabond

Exactly! Too many people running around frightened by the media. Case in point is the Delta Captain who broke up the fight between two of Atlanta's finest citizens on a jetbridge. Bravo Zulu, skipper! The media couldn't jump all over him because there was no where to go with it. Exercise some good judgement, be professional when you exercise your authority, and be a leader. I doubt very much this story will go anywhere other than having people who know this woman well nodding their heads as they acknowldege that it's no surprise she's involved.

UALfoLIFE

I was accused of being aracist in 2008 because I had to have the FA move 2 people from the front to back in a crj 200. Nobody volunteered so the male Filipino FA involuntaryily moved a black couple to the back. They claimed i was the racist because I directed the FA to move them. I still get good laugh outta this from the shear stupidity level of some people.

Qotsaautopilot

She probably needed to be removed. But...

1. It sounds like the first exchange was in the gate area. No way I'm going out of my way engage a visibly disgruntled passenger who isn't even on the plane.

2. If she's on the plane causing more problems and the FA reports to me as such (and the FA imo is not an instigator) all that needs to be done is make a call to ops. "Please send an agent/supervisor/etc to remove the passenger in seat xyz." Agent goes back to the passenger and asks them to collect their things. If the passenger refuses then they can call the appropriate people to make sure the passenger is removed. No need to call the passenger over the PA or even have face time with the passenger. If the agent or my supervisor wants an explanation they can ask me in private but not in front of the passenger and I'm not going to explain it to them which will only lead to a confrontation of outrage or an attempt to get me to change my mind. Neither of which has a good outcome not to mention we don't need the outside stressors right before operating the flight.

I've only had a couple removals and all were intoxicated as reported by a non dramatic FA. Never so much as had any contact with the passenger or questioned by anyone. Just stay out of it is my motto.

LNL76

Are you serious with that ignorant derogatory term for an *US Citizen*-American? Wow, just wow. Guess it's the one ethnic group it's still cool to disrespect and say such things.

rickair7777

But if you intervene you get to be live on the six o'clock news. If you stay out of line of site the worst they could do is learn your name... not newsworthy if you didn't do anything outrageous. You can't be faulted for calling GSC or cops, as appropriate... that's most likely what your GOM says anyway.

But ANY footage will edited, "commentated on", and "re-contexted" to make your actions appear outrageous.

I think staying out of sight and letting the system deal with it is the win today.

RhinoBallAuto

Body cams for all!

METO Guido

Seems I'm getting hit twice here?

NEDude

For most airlines, if not all, the gate agent is the ground security coordinator (GSC). The captain does not take ultimate responsibility for security of the aircraft until the door is closed. Obviously the captain can refuse to accept the responsibility if s/he is not satisfied with the onboard security before the door is closed. But since the gate agent technically has the ultimate responsibility while on the gate, there is no reason to personally involve yourself beyond requesting the agent arrange for the removal of the passenger.

ShyGuy

Not related to this particular incident per say, didn’t want to start a new thread:


NAACP warns black passengers about traveling with American Airlines - Oct. 25, 2017

METO Guido

I don't even know what to say? All the time & money spent to avoid this kind of thing, here's the result. Doesn’t matter, they'll throw more money at it, both sides.

You know what happens? Because people are insecure, by nature, they seek alliance or identify strongly with groups appearing similar. Illusion mostly, in order to make themselves feel bigger, protected. Becomes habit & prompts others to do the same. So then everybody goes around, labeling and making assumptions about who you are before they ever see the first thing about you as a person. Which, in turn, leads to exaggerated & false claims of being treated unfairly if you don't get special attention or whatever else you believed was promised as the MasterCard charge went through on Expedia.

Meanwhile, from the CEO inner sanctum:
Bad publicity? No way, find a patsy. Didn't come this far to have some boarding schizoid tarnish my sterling image, not to mention one penny of the compensation entitled a man of my obvious talent & stature. Prepare a statement, apologizing for the unfortunate conduct of…gate agent, flight attendant, pilot, whatever floats. Mention we are only following protocol the doughnut squad advised us to do. Authorize legal to buy claimant's silence in exchange for his/her unthinkable viral embarrassment, before lunch if possible. Well, there's a surprise, others see opportunity and copy cat. Cost of doing business these days. Don't just stand there, go draft some more apologies fart face.