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Home  >  American Airlines • Photos  >  Video: Woman Kicked Off an AA Flight for Singing
American AirlinesPhotos

Video: Woman Kicked Off an AA Flight for Singing

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 13, 2013December 9, 2016 7 Comments

A JFK-LAX American Airlines flight made an unscheduled stop in Kansas City on Friday after a woman refused to stop…singing Whitney Houston songs.

AA quickly issued a statement stating, “The woman was being disruptive and was removed from the plane for interfering with the flight crew…There was a federal air marshal on the aircraft, who subdued the woman and put her in cuffs and removed her from the plane.” Yet after being dragged off the aircraft singing “I will always love you,” she was quickly released without charge.

So I guess that means her “interference” with the flight crew was not all that serious, though no doubt annoying. There was even a video taken.

Frankly, this story is not all that interesting to me (I think back to my own flight diversion to Omaha in 2009). But what does interest me, in light of my own struggle to clarify United Airlines’ onboard photo policy, was a comment by an AA FA captured in the video at 00:59.

“No photos are allowed to be taken on the aircraft!”

Actually, AA does not appear to have an onboard photo policy: at least I could not find it. Maybe it’s hidden in American Way and not published online, like UA…

Whatever the case, I cannot go along with rogue FAs making up rules anymore. I respected the FAs wishes on my Istanbul flight and refrained from taking any more pictures after being told to stop, but that should not have been necessary–UA’s photo policy does not prohibit taking pictures of seats. And if AA doesn’t have a policy at all, then taking a picture of an unruly passenger when the aircraft is on the ground and door open cannot possibly interfere with any crew member duties or put the safety of others at risk. If the issue is privacy, which is what photo prohibitions should be aimed at protecting, I believe a person abdicates her reasonable expectation of privacy when she disrupt a plane to the extent that it must divert.

I was flying down from San Francisco to Burbank last Friday and a Skywest FA barked at the passenger across the aisle from me to take his coat off the seat-back hook, stating it was not allowed there. The passenger balked and the FA claimed it was a “new” FAA regulation and walked away.

What do you in this case? Take your coat off the hook if you want to mollify the FA, but why should the FA be mollified when she is lying out of her teeth and making up rules that do not exist, as if the coat hook is simply there for decoration?

There’s no easy answer to the question of when to push back and when to quietly submit. Often, it is just not worth it to argue back. But if I ever get an FA like the one who lied about me again, I will not try to reason with her nor try to argue. I will state that onboard photography is permitted for personal events and if she has a problem with it, she should complain to her management.

Is that a sure fire way to get thrown off a flight, this time with no sympathy, or a reasonable attempt to stand the line against those who make up rules to suit their ends?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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7 Comments

  1. Brad Reply
    May 13, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    I’ve been yelled at by a Skywest FA for hanging my coat on the hook in an exit row. This was a cruise altitude.

    “You are blocking the exit, and you must remove it”. I responded that I don’t think we’ll be using the exit at this altitude, but then put my coat on my lap. Power trip…

  2. Scott Reply
    May 14, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Here is what it says in American Way Magazine:

    “The use of still and video cameras, film or digital, is permitted only for recording of personal events. Unauthorized photography or video recording of airline personnel, other customers, aircraft equiptment or procedures is strictly prohibited.”

  3. PK Reply
    May 14, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Let’s consider the pilot’s letter Matt recently posted: They have a system in place to file complaints against workers. Matt can simply comply, take names, and then file a complaint. That’s the professional solution. Don’t argue with them in the air because that’s where they have the most power. They have the least power when they check in on the ground.

    Here’s the reason why FA’s making up regulations to suit them is bad business. It may be technically illegal (I’ve tried to google FAA code but it’s a challenge) and it’s certainly a bad idea because it undermines legitimate requirements. FA’s often gripe that passengers shouldn’t give them a hassle when they’re trying to enforce actual regulations such as turning off your mobile phone or taking things off of the seats during takeoff but who knows what’s legitimate if so many FA orders are fictitious?

    The pilot and crew are often at the front of the plane to say goodbye. That’s the perfect opportunity to wait a few minutes for the main passengers to clear and present your complaint, handwritten and dated with times, to the pilot and notify them you’ll be sending a copy to the management (so they can’t just chuck it.)

  4. Troy Reply
    May 27, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    What’s with people trying to push and push the envlope on flights?

    Does a picture of your meal or seatback or getting to hang your coat somewhere worth the aggravation to you of the FA?

    Also, last I checked, there’s more than one airline so if you don’t like the rules, you’re free to try out the competition.

    Another question…do you fight and question the rules at other businesses (restaurants, hotels, stadiums) or do you only feel tough and entitled when it comes to air travel?

  5. Matthew Reply
    May 27, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    @Troy: I question many rules, as we all should.

  6. Troy Reply
    May 28, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    If you’re talking about government rules that you have no choice but to relunctantly follow, sure go ahead. I’m with you on that one.

    But to stroll into a private business and challenge them is a little different. Would you appreciate someone coming into your home and challenging you? Would you appreciate someone using your Awards service and challenging whatever rules or policies you have laid down?

    If you don’t like United’s policies, then you’re free to go to a competitor. Just like if you don’t like Store X’s policies, you’re free to take your business to Store Y and so on…

    What makes you so militant towards private companies enforcing their policies, no matter how ridiculous they are?

  7. Matthew Reply
    May 28, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    But it depends on the rule and ultiamtely we do draw a line, even with private business. Had the FA commanded the passenger to go stand in the corner, the appropriate response would be “go jump in a lake” for she has no right to make such unreasonable demands.

    It’s a tough issue I know, but the solution is not simply to submit always.

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