Track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson was kicked off an American Airlines flight after an altercation with a flight attendant onboard that began over her mobile phone use.
Athlete Sha’Carri Richardson Booted From American Airlines Flight
The 23-year-old athlete, who was disqualified from the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo after marijuana was found in her system, was taking an American Airlines flight on Saturday to an unknown “vacation” destination.
She posted two videos on Instagram showing a terse encounter onboard and then a follow-up video in which she attempts to explain what happened.
First, she was asked to get off a cell phone call, which she claims she did (though not how quickly).
“Prior to the video this gentleman asked me to get off a cell phone call, I did,”
The flight attendant then asked to see Richardon’s phone again during the safety briefing to ensure it was in airplane mode:
“I stated to him I didn’t like the tone he used with me. Following that while standing in front of me doing the safety protocols he continued to lean over to look at my phone. He asked to see that my phones were in airplane more at this point. He demanded that me show him. Which I did in front of him.”
When the flight attendant demanded that Richardson stop recording, she refused, stating:
“You’re harassing me at this point, I think you should stop. I think you should stop.”
Richardson said she was simply doing a social media update for her followers 2.2. million followers, but deliberately turned the camera from herself in order to capture the flight attendant in the video.
Other passengers around her began to chime in telling her to stop. This made her angry and she refused, yelling out,
“Y’all see him right? Y’all see him right? Y’all see him right? I’m sorry, it’s not me. Talk to him. No ma’am. Do no talk to me like that. I’m an adult. Do not talk to me like that. Do not talk to me like that. Tell him to stop. If you do not know what’s going on, do not yell at me.”
She laced in some profanity too.
When it became clear she would be removed, Richardson was looking for other passengers to support her but it appears that no one was willing. In fact, most applauded when she was removed from the plane.
RICHARDSON: “Oh, so you’re worried about a connection when a grown man is disrespecting me?”
PASSENGER: “I don’t give a s**t!”
In her caption on Instagram, Richardson threatened legal action against American Airlines:
“Tell me if I’ll be wrong to pursue legal actions against the airline @americanair not only did the man threaten me but also an innocent bystander who simply just wanted a picture with me.”
She also focused on race, suggesting her skin color had something to do with it:
“In the beginning of the video you can hear a Caucasian male state that he doesn’t give a f as a man that male flight attendant is intimidating a woman. Also the captain not doing anything to help the situation and this flight attendant has the applause when I exited the plane when I’m pretty serious the disrespect I received would not have happened if I was a one of them. One of them even stated good luck with your ban ( I see he took the time to do some research but not stand up for what’s right) soooo @americanair this flight attendant name was John and he refused to state his last name. However him and the lady y’all see standing next to him looked me up…”
It’s rather difficult to piece together exactly what occurred based on the video fragments we have. What I will say is that flight attendants are generally very lenient about putting your phone in airplane mode, but if you’re on a call when they are trying to perform a safety demonstration or push back, you are going to get more attention. And if flight attendants feel like you are not going to listen to them, they will throw you off the plane.
That doesn’t mean you have to take abuse from anyone, but there’s a difference between abuse and simply being asked to do what current regulations concerning electronic devices require, specifically no phone calls once the aircraft door has been shut, at least prior to landing.
CONCLUSION
I’m not pointing fingers quite yet here. I see a very combative Richardson in the video and I see two flight attendants who have clearly had enough with her. The key is what triggered this in the first place.
images/video: Instagram
I don’t know precisely all what went down either, but I gotta say this chick seems cool as hell to me. She has charisma and is impressive in her verbal communication skills. She stays calm throughout the confrontation and maintains her position to the end. Very impressive.
My gut tells me they acted properly to get her off the plane. The language she was using is simply unacceptable. But, this raises the question in my mind. Is it REALLY a huge infraction, talking on the phone? Is it REALLY unsafe, does it pose a REAL threat to the airplane, one that is greater than the benefits calling loved ones brings during the takeoff role? Does it pose a risk that is greater than the risk of a flight attendant being allowed to look and see if your phone is in airplane mode? I personally believe that flight attendants should not be allowed to check personal mobiles to see if they’re in airplane mode, that constitutes what I believe to be a privacy risk. I can’t say for certain I know that phones don’t pose a safety risk, but I’ve also never read anywhere that it poses a genuine, real risk (if it doesn’t raise the chances of something bad happening above 1 in 1,000, then I don’t qualify it as a real risk). It is essential we look into this and if we can, eliminate this rule. Whether or not it is worthy for elimination, though, I support the decision to kick her off the flight for the simple reason that her conduct was disorderly and not one of a mature adult.
@Alan Brint: you are opening a can of worms here. Is it unsafe for me to bring my $0.15 bottle of water that I bought at Costco through security? Why do I have to pay $4.50 for the same water after security? That’s the same as your comment about her talk on the phone. Yes, I 100% agree it is a very stupid rule but…. it is the rule. If you don’t like it, don’t travel. Seriously, this young generation lost respect for rules and people. She knows the rule is to shut off her phone. She is not above the rule. So yes, get her out of the plane.
You are factually correct, nothing you said in your post is false. But I feel differently than you. My late Grandfather once said something I consider very wise, that anything said after the word “but” should be given more weight. What I heard from you is “it’s a stupid rule and it should be changed, but it’s a rule and we have to follow it.” I choose to flip it around, “it’s the rule and we have to follow it, but it’s a stupid rule and it should be changed.”
Yes, but it is not up to her to determine it and to break the rule on the spot. She might go to her representative and share her impressions about the stupid rule but when she agreed to fly and know that is the rule, the should comply to it. Turn the phone off, shut up and be done with it. Look, I was on a United flight the other day. We pushed back from the gate for within 30 seconds be informed our flight would have to sit on the tarmac for 1 hour because of air traffic control. What do you think would be the common sense? Allow people to use their phones, browse the internet, send messages, etc… Right? We will sit on the tarmac for 1 hour so what is the harm of using the phones? But no. A young flight attendant thought it was her chance to be a boss. She announced several times that because the airplane door was closed, all phones needed to be on airplane mode. She not only announced but she kept walking the aisle to male sure nobody was using their phones. At that point I wasn’t sure what was more stupid: the rule or the FA. She was nasty. But hey, I turned my phone off and snoozed for 1 hour while we sat there.
But is she vaccinated? You never answered why you are concerned about others vaccine status. Where is it written that the vaccinated can’t spread the Vid? Everyone who claimed that was proven wrong and backed off from the false claim. So why does it matter to you if someone is or not? How does it affect YOU?
And are you that kid in Chicago with the same name that needed the special glasses? Would explain a lot toward your far out beliefs.
Huh? What are you talking about?
@Michael: He’s trying to get me going, trying to start a fight. He thinks that because he provoked me using the COVID vaccine, which I’d fought with him on before, that I will give him ammunition. You’re right, it has nothing to do with the post, and he’s right, I am the one who used the “special glasses” since I’m visually impaired, I won’t deny it. But no, I’m not going to get into it with Dave, there is no point, and you shouldn’t either.
This is what you get when social media transfers and normalizes lack of proper conduct and politeness into the real world, which in the end dictates such appalling outcomes. In this instance that goes for both parties, but the professional part should have solved this better. The lot are entitled, spoiled brats …
There are two different ways the passenger should behave in this situation. Like an adult. Or, as demonstrated in this case, a bratty, insolent, rude, self-righteous child. Will this lead to another diversity payment shake-down by the likes of Al Sharpton? Stop incentivizing bad behavior.
On the other hand, Lars, the woman appears to self-identify as an idiot and was removed from the plane.
Lol! You got me there, Dave! Still, I’d like to have a beer with this chick as I find her whole vibe very intriguing. I particularly liked how at the end of the long video, she talked smack at someone by telling them they were just a “normal person.”
What a jerk. Disrespecting blah blah blah harassing blah blah blah. Why do people think they are so entitled….i’m so tired of hearing this rubbish! Legal action, blah blah blah……they should have refused her boarding because her stupid nails look like weapons!
That uppity b!tch deserved to be thrown off. I’m sure she deserved it based on the rude way she spoke to those around her.
I was on the flight seated three rows behind her. This woman was incredibly rude to the flight attendants and combative from the very start. She was just looking to pick a fight and we all cheered as she was thrown off because she was such an entitled jerk. I hope American bans her permanently.
Don’t wait for AA; their lawyers don’t want attention.
Please feel free to report her to the FAA/TSA. cc: AA
https://www.faa.gov/travelers/travel_problems
https://www.tsa.gov/contact/customer-service
@Matthew: I am sorry but these two phrases cannot go together .
“ Track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson ….”
“ The 23-year-old athlete, who was disqualified from the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo after marijuana was found in her system,”
If she is really a star, she would not be disqualified from the Olympics because she was cheating and breaking the rules. No, I am not getting into the argument if marijuana is good, bad, should be legal or not BUT she knows that is not allowed if you run track and field as a professional so she should not be named a star. This is exactly why she was kicked off the plane. She is from this entitled generation that knows the rules but feel they are above them all. She cannot consume marijuana and be a track and field star at the same time. She cannot talk on the phone and be on a plane after door is closed. There are rules and like them or not, they need to be followed. Don’t like the rules, work to get them changed but do not break them. That’s what is wrong with this generation. Lack of respect!!!
Being disruptive during the safety demonstration is the final straw. The line has been crossed that should put offenders off the plane no matter who you are.
A troubling trend of passengers exhibiting angry mob mentality makes me question how far this could go. Best not to raise the crazy bar. It’s amazing that such a butt hat could have so many followers on social media. Perhaps she “stages” events like this? Ugh
Another race-obsessed woke simpleton…yawn.
I think this particular passenger needs a reality check about a lot of things………
She sounds like a self entitled brat. First with the marijuana infraction and now with this? And keep in mind, these are the only things that make it out to the public. I’m willing to bet her life is filled with argumentative and contentious situations simply because she believes she is above the rules.
Oh yay, a new and different Aaron on here.
I’ll defend her a little bit. It seems that she did end her phone call. That’s probably where the interaction should have ended. The FA didn’t need to press her about airplane mode. AA wifi works on the ground, I always connect to it when I board, and I’ve never once had an FA “remind” me to put my phone on airplane mode. When he pressed her, unless he had pressed every other passenger to show him their phone, he was singling her out.
He may have been frustrated with her. She may have been rude to him. I’m not defending her actions in that regard, but I think if the FA just would have left her alone, the flight would have proceeded without any real further incident, and everybody would have been just fine.
Exactly. The “service person” (FA) should have been the responsible person here and ended it at that exact point.
People should be required to watch a composite video of folks getting thrown off of planes prior to being sold a ticket. Like a once every year or two continuing education requirement. It’s basically the same story, time and time again. Once you reach a certain point with an FA, it’s clear that you’re going to be doing one of those videos from the gate in which you claim that you’ll take down the airline while realizing that you just screwed up your week by getting needlessly kicked off the flight. Folks need to learn to give up before they get kicked off.
Meanwhile on Singapore Airlines, they actually have a cell antenna ON THEIR PLANES for you to roam on (expensively), if you have a Singapore SIM card. Amazing that airplane mode is still a thing now.
Why does it not surprise me that Matthew’s readership tend to side with the caucasian male over the black female as a matter of default?
George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. Ma’Khia Bryant.
SAY THEIR NAMES!!!
SAY THEM!!!
Sha’Carri Richardson will not lie down and be the next. BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!
This is a parody account, correct?
I’ll play.
George Floyd….junkie and a career criminal.
B Fab…..lived with a drug dealer and knew it. Shouldn’t have died, but hey shit happens daily in this world. Should be more concerned with the innocent victims of violence daily in our country. She’s one of thousands shot every year.
You missed the “Gentle Giant” who was shot with his Hands Up.
ALL LIVES MATTER!!!
Shouldn’t have died = innocent victim
Try to understand your own words.
The next time one of your loved ones dies…hey shit happens!
Yes Pete, shit happens daily and the fact has become we are numb to it. 10 killed in a shooting Saturday night and basically the news and the world moved on from it quickly. And dozens more have been murdered or killed in accidents since then. Of course the families suffer but the rest of us move on. The people listed above and their lives were no more or less valuable than any other death. That’s my point, shit happens daily and unless it’s personal to us, no one cares.
This must be parody. But here’s a clue: I don’t like rude people who curse, no matter their color.
Why are 2.2 million people following her?.. which by the way provides an income for her. She is not nice and had no respect for FA who will help her out in an emergency, no questions asked. 23 yrs old, wonder how Mom an Dad feel about her behaviour?
Anyone with common sense knew where this story was going. Shocked in 2023 there was a plane full of “racists” who didn’t defend and support this “victim”.
I hope she’s not a natural woman.
One activist group in Norway is calling for Aretha Franklin’s hit 1968 song “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” to be removed from both Apple Music and Spotify after they deemed its lyrics offensive.
The Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance took to Twitter last week to condemn the ballad, citing that it has ignited harm against transgender women.
“Aretha Franklin’s 1968 song ‘Natural Woman’ perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes,” the organization tweeted. “There is no such thing as a ‘natural’ woman.”
https://nypost.com/2023/01/23/aretha-franklin-song-natural-woman-blasted-by-trans-group/
Do you lose sleep over how an activist group in Norway will infiltrate the minds of your children?
Maybe you should check on them…
Did I say I lose sleep? It’s just comical af, like this story.
You forgot to conveniently quote this part from the article:
“However, the group has since claimed that their original post was indeed a “satirical” on in a message to The Post on Monday afternoon.
The group also updated their Twitter bio to now say “PARODY/SATIRE.””
If true, thanks for letting me know, had no idea. Glad to hear.
Being a classless c*nt is race-agnostic.
Hmm the trend in these stories…
A. rude black passenger being thrown off by uppity FA —> let’s avoid taking sides until the comment section
B. rude white passenger being thrown off by uppity FA —> have you been the victim of a FA ego trip?
Sounds like you suffer from a victim complex yourself
Hey Chad.
Spot on about the victim mentality.
South Park did an excellent episode about how much (%) of a victim someone is by doing a DNA test.
S21 E3 – Dna And Me
Once again another entitled social media “influencer” who feels they are above the rules the rest of us have to follow.
My gut tells me that this social media “influencer” was just itching to start something. Having surpassed 1.5 million miles of flying, I can say that I’ve never had an untoward experience with any Flight Attendant ever. But then again, I don’t look to start stuff or to engage in confrontation.
It’s tough to see how arguing with the FA is going to work out well for you, no matter who you are.
Being that ghetto and proud of it means that you’re a legend in one mind only. Your own!