It’s not uncommon to see people removed from flights for poor behavior. However, here’s an interesting twist on that, as it seemed not all employees at the airline were on the same page about removing a traveler.
In this post:
An interesting United passenger issue at Fort Myers Airport
NYDETECTIVE has police body cam footage from an incident that happened on June 30, 2025, onboard a departing United Airlines flight at Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). The reason I find this interaction noteworthy isn’t because someone was removed from the flight, but because we actually get to hear how the crew deliberates about this situation.
Police were called to a United flight, after receiving reports of an intoxicated passenger onboard who was causing a disturbance. As the police arrived at the plane, one of the flight attendants explained that the crew (including the captain) wanted the passenger seated in 24F off the aircraft.
The flight attendant claimed that the woman was stumbling and couldn’t walk straight down the aisle, that she was slurring her words, and that she gave her attitude when she asked if everything was okay.
While the initial interaction was happening, one of the gate agents was at the passenger’s seat, and she soon returned to the forward galley. That’s where it gets interesting — the gate agent seemingly came out in full defense of the passenger, asking the flight attendant if she’s sure that the passenger was under the influence of something.
The gate agent explained that she didn’t see her stumble on, didn’t smell alcohol, and claimed that the woman seemed perfectly fine to her. She was basically surprised that the crew wanted her off. The flight attendant almost seemed to take offense to that, based on the look on her face as she was told that.
Nonetheless, the woman was told she had to get off the aircraft. The captain was the one who had to tell her, and he was super hesitant to do that, seemingly.
The woman tried to refuse getting off the plane, since she felt it was unjustified, so it was a bit of a process. Eventually she agreed to get off the plane (or else all other passengers would’ve had to deplane, before she could physically be forced off).
She got a bit confrontational in the jet bridge, and then… peed a little bit in the jet bridge, through her pants, while being placed in handcuffs.
It’s rare to see the discussion among employees!
I obviously wasn’t there to see how the woman acted when she initially boarded the aircraft, so I can’t say with certainty whether she did or didn’t appear intoxicated, or under the influence of something.
The reason I find this to be so noteworthy is because the one gate agent was basically shocked to hear this woman was being removed. It makes you wonder whether the passenger’s behavior was really that outrageous, or if the two people just rubbed one another the wrong way.
I could certainly envision how the flight attendant involved in this might not necessarily be the best at deescalation, and might not have the nicest greeting at the door, based on her vibe. So I wouldn’t be surprised if the passenger was in some way out of line, based on how she later acted. Though I also wonder if this would’ve played out this way if it had been another flight attendant “greeting” passengers at the door.
As of May 2025 (shortly before this incident), United implemented a new policy regarding removing intoxicated passengers from flights. It’s referred to as the “huddle process,” and here’s how United describes it internally:
“After boarding, if two flight attendants independently observe a customer exhibiting red light behavior(s) the Inflight team will call a mandatory huddle between Inflight, Flight Ops and Airport Operations to facilitate customer removal from the aircraft. This new huddle process is designed to handle situations where red light behaviors may not have been visible during boarding and a customer that appears to be intoxicated makes their way onto an aircraft.”
What constitutes “red light behavior?” This includes things like moving in slow motion, needing time to respond, being glassy-eyed, losing train of thought, irrational statements, spilling drinks, walking awkwardly, stumbling or falling, being unable to sit upright, slurred speech, and smelling like alcohol.
It does seem like the male flight attendant standing in the background briefly chimed in at some point to say the passenger couldn’t walk straight, but otherwise, this does very much seem to be a situation between the passenger and the one flight attendant.
Bottom line
A United Airlines flight attendant noticed a woman stumbling onto the plane, and wanted her removed, after a brief interaction. When police showed up, the gate agent shared a different take, explaining that she thought the woman seemed totally fine.
Admittedly we don’t usually get to hear these interactions (it’s only possible thanks to police body cam footage, in this case). That being said, I find it interesting to actually hear the gate agent sort of challenge the flight attendant, and claim that she thought the passenger was okay.
I’m not sure to what extent the woman’s removal was warranted in the first place, but the way she interacted with officers was definitely a bit combative, and didn’t show her in a great light.
What do you make of this interaction and removal?
I think it should be unanimous with the flight attendants. Whether someone is unruly or intoxicated before entering the airlines cabin. Since the gate agent didn't see anything wrong with her. And she was out there longer with the passenger. Then the stewardess or flight attendant. Then, I believe she should have been able to fly. She could be an elderly person that has balance issues or other medical issues and unless you are medical...
I think it should be unanimous with the flight attendants. Whether someone is unruly or intoxicated before entering the airlines cabin. Since the gate agent didn't see anything wrong with her. And she was out there longer with the passenger. Then the stewardess or flight attendant. Then, I believe she should have been able to fly. She could be an elderly person that has balance issues or other medical issues and unless you are medical professional, how do you no their background. She didn't smell of alcohol and there was a lot of controversy about whether she was actually intoxicated or not? So, perhaps the flight attendant jump the gun on making her exit.The aircraft.
God, why do you feel the need to report on literally EVERYTHING that goes on in that hellhole nation? No one cares about this tripe.
I think she might be slower and should sue and win
Maybe drugs and not alcohol were the culprit
This nonsensical puritanical war on alcohol is getting out of hand… if this person was high on marijuana, let’s see how it would’ve played out. How have so many people lost the plot?
Joel, in this season of Noel, many might think that anyone who has no concept of the dangers of a passenger who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, onboard an aircraft, needs a reality check, yes?
this looks like another example of a flight attendent taking offense (reasonably or not, but this looks like not) and flexing her power....
So, KP!
You do not accept the potential safety risks associated with having an intoxicated, incontinent and unresponsive human mass onboard?
One trusts that you only travel proletariat class along with the likes of the subject individual, yes?
Such entitlement from some. Its easier to comply than it is to argue.
She might not be drunk, but I do suspect other substances.
Hmm, the thing with united's policy is that more than half of the behaviors would describe the average elderly passenger. And many would even apply to extreme sleep deprivation (think of your connecting flight home after doing trans-pacific in economy).
"moving in slow motion, needing time to respond, being glassy-eyed, losing train of thought, irrational statements, spilling drinks, walking awkwardly, stumbling or falling, being unable to sit upright, slurred speech, and smelling like alcohol."
It...
Hmm, the thing with united's policy is that more than half of the behaviors would describe the average elderly passenger. And many would even apply to extreme sleep deprivation (think of your connecting flight home after doing trans-pacific in economy).
"moving in slow motion, needing time to respond, being glassy-eyed, losing train of thought, irrational statements, spilling drinks, walking awkwardly, stumbling or falling, being unable to sit upright, slurred speech, and smelling like alcohol."
It doesn't include aggression, inappropriate touching, talking too much/loud, or other things that would be redflags to a bartender for a patron who's had too much...
As a captain at a major airline, let me assure you...you, the passenger, are not the main character. There are, on this model of aircraft, approximately 180 seats. If you cannot control yourself, I can, as I AM the main character. You will not inconvenience (hold hostage) the other 179 passengers with your poor behavior. We are not going to take a problem up to 30,000' in a sealed aluminum tube so that we can...
As a captain at a major airline, let me assure you...you, the passenger, are not the main character. There are, on this model of aircraft, approximately 180 seats. If you cannot control yourself, I can, as I AM the main character. You will not inconvenience (hold hostage) the other 179 passengers with your poor behavior. We are not going to take a problem up to 30,000' in a sealed aluminum tube so that we can amplify the situation.
Many travelers are out of control and when they need to be brought to heal it is ultimately up to me to help them reach the correct decision or see them off the aircraft.
Notably, the CSR will board anyone and are typically reluctant to deny boarding as they do not want to have to deal with the poor behavior, either.
Finally, the policy at this airline is for the "huddle" to take place and the CSR to comply with the findings of the flight crew. Period. Once the captain makes his judgement the die is cast and the CSR would do well to simply comply. In this case the passenger refused to disembark and the local authorities were called to facilitate the removal--past the departure time.
The captain's apparent "reluctance" in this situation is due to the fact that the process to remove this intoxicated passenger had been set in motion and, according to local law enforcement, required him to "order" the passenger to disembark. The captain usually doesn't have to deal with these piffling matters; he has other, more important, actions to fulfill before flight.
This passenger peed on herself. Is the author not going to consider that as the penultimate indicator of the appropriate action here? Perhaps there is an excuse for that behavior, too?
Retired FA here. My past experiences have shown that gate agents allow many things to skate by. They're busy and it's hard for them to catch and handle everything. So of course it falls on the crew to observe and catch violations and potential problems. We don't like having passengers taken off the plane but the other passengers and crew are priority. Intoxication on a plane is a federal offense and it is unsafe for...
Retired FA here. My past experiences have shown that gate agents allow many things to skate by. They're busy and it's hard for them to catch and handle everything. So of course it falls on the crew to observe and catch violations and potential problems. We don't like having passengers taken off the plane but the other passengers and crew are priority. Intoxication on a plane is a federal offense and it is unsafe for everyone. Also, I would have done the same in this instance, her behavior was bad and could have gotten worse in the air.
There's a lot of oh-rah in your manly self-presentation, but you're not brave enough to say which airline, "Carl"?
the passenger needs to be "brought to heel"?? Sounds like a power trip to me....
Carl, you know and I know that you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the subject situation. Seemingly, there are others who have posted in response to your missive, with the uneducated stance of those who choose to ’shoot the messenger’ rather than acknowledging the consequences of your position.
I would be more than happy to accept a seat on one of your flights, safe in the knowledge that your level headedness and experience...
Carl, you know and I know that you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the subject situation. Seemingly, there are others who have posted in response to your missive, with the uneducated stance of those who choose to ’shoot the messenger’ rather than acknowledging the consequences of your position.
I would be more than happy to accept a seat on one of your flights, safe in the knowledge that your level headedness and experience is more than acceptable …. thank you Sir.
Afterthought, I would not however, board a Boeing 737 Max, even if you were the Captain …. :-)
Are you that "servent-leader" idiot from Delta or the "The flight attendants are my direct representatives in the cabin" boner from AA?
In today’s hostile environment, I think it’s okay for flight attendance to air on the side of caution. They are probably extra vigilant considering all the craziness that is now a part of our everyday airport and flight interactions.
Not to condone the behaviour, but this sounds like any Tuesday at 9 a.m. at Gatwick during hen party season. Two pints of Guinness for breakfast is just a start to wash down the full English breakfast.
She pissed herself! You want that person next to you?
I saw the video. She was drunk and high off her ass. She was causing the flight to be delayed. Even if she was having a medical situation she could not fly.
Last night at DFW standing waiting to board and this passenger comes up to the boarding gate drunk off his behind, talking loudly and annoying passengers. Claiming he was going to be able to board first.
I kept thinking please gate...
I saw the video. She was drunk and high off her ass. She was causing the flight to be delayed. Even if she was having a medical situation she could not fly.
Last night at DFW standing waiting to board and this passenger comes up to the boarding gate drunk off his behind, talking loudly and annoying passengers. Claiming he was going to be able to board first.
I kept thinking please gate agents don't let this moron board. I did see one male gate agent take note. I didn't see bozo board so hopefully he got the boot. He definitely didn't try to board with CKs.
Ben, ya just had to add insult to injury by highlighting that she “peed a little bit in the jet bridge”… I mean, I wouldn’t blame anyone for a little *tinkle* if forced off my flight.
Welcome back “Tinkle”, so you are not in complete control of your bladder then? Never mind dear, I didn’t really think that the woman in the video was you …. a little thin to have been you, yes?
‘Guest’ is the giveaway… the real Aero logs in.
“Giveaway”…. as is the ‘ninetyben’, yes?
The huddle unfortunately shows the lead FA wears the pants on the decision. Not the pilot. Interesting.
Maybe pants are more comfortable. Oh, you were using a metaphor. Ah. Got it. Yeah…
Flight attendant here, in my opinion and in our company we as crew members on board the aircraft will always be leading when it comes to passenger behaviour. If I’m not happy with a passengers’ behaviour on board regarding safety on board I have to speak up and take fitting steps to resolve the situation. As I’m the senior cabin attendant as well, it’s my decision and the captain should consultate me to make the...
Flight attendant here, in my opinion and in our company we as crew members on board the aircraft will always be leading when it comes to passenger behaviour. If I’m not happy with a passengers’ behaviour on board regarding safety on board I have to speak up and take fitting steps to resolve the situation. As I’m the senior cabin attendant as well, it’s my decision and the captain should consultate me to make the final decision.
The gate agent in my opinion overstepped by trying to argue to let the passenger stay on board. There’s nothing wrong with her telling what she observed in the gate but a mini bottle of liquour (assumption I know) or two can be easily smuggled into the jet bridge and drank before entering the plane.
Great decision by the crew and not one any flight attendant will ever take lightly.
A mini bottle of liquor or two won't turn a perfectly okay person into a disruptive drunk and even if it would, it wouldn't have happened between boarding and departure. In this case it seems that one cabin crew was the only person involved who thought that the customer is drunk and even then didn't even suggest she was disruptive.
While crews of course need to be able to remove people from flights if they're...
A mini bottle of liquor or two won't turn a perfectly okay person into a disruptive drunk and even if it would, it wouldn't have happened between boarding and departure. In this case it seems that one cabin crew was the only person involved who thought that the customer is drunk and even then didn't even suggest she was disruptive.
While crews of course need to be able to remove people from flights if they're a potential risk, this can't ba based on their paranoia alone. If multiple members of the cabin crew, flight crew and ground crew consider the person fit to fly, one drama queen should not be able to override them. And if they do, there should be consequences if that removal is unjustified - for starters, pax removed for supposedly being drunk should have an option to take a breath analyser test and if it comes out negative, they should get compensated directly by the member of staff who decided to remove them.
So difficult to get the right balance. Either FAs have unilateral power to remove passengers and are basically protected from consequence 99.99% of the time by their unions, or they need to comply with absurd customer requests like the dude who asked for his ass to be wiped on an EVA flight.
Can't we just have decent FAs and customers who respect each other mutually?
Not excusing the pax's behavior nor arguing against the crew (it's their aircraft, they make the final decision) but the FA leading the removal frankly just looks plain rude - smirking during the whole conversation. I would have given her an attitude, too.
Also see she conveniently isn't wearing her badge (like the other FAs are) - I thought they were supposed to be worn whilst the cabin door was open?
I'm somewhat disappointed in the United captain.
He seemed utterly dis-interested. Almost as if he'd come out, give a quick "yep" to the question of if they want her on the flight, and then go back in hiding in the cockpit. He seemed so uncomfortable of the idea of facing the customer one-on-one.
He was a total wuzz. That being said why did he have to tell the passenger to get off the flight?
A "wuzz?" No, just tired of Main Character Syndrome dominating an otherwise unremarkable day, which is what makes your second remark salient.
Dude, this is RSW Fort Myers. A major incident here would be a wheelchair shortage. Nothingburger here.
She pissed herself on the jetway. What else do you need?
Where was United rep CRO ( complaint resolution official
Intoxicated passengers are not supposed to be boarded on any US airline (it's a federal rule).
Gate agents everywhere let them slip by on every airline. The passenger becomes someone else's problem that way.
But deny boarding or pull them off, and now they are the gate agent's problem.
I'm not surprised this one claimed they didn't notice the passenger was intoxicated, or that they thought it was okay to let her board.
I saw the whole thing yesterday and that woman was drunk. The gate agent was only upset because she had missed it and thought it would make her look bad.
Airport bars over serve far too many flyer's.
Police body cam footage is available to the public in most states. The ones that don't provide it are not being transparent.
This thing is getting attention, so please read and understand the federal rule that the Captain is on the hook for:
§ 91.17 Alcohol or drugs.
(a) ***not relevant here***
(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a person who appears to be intoxicated or who demonstrates by manner or physical indications that the individual is under the influence of drugs (except a medical patient under proper care) to be carried in that aircraft.
do you know that rule also applies to general aviation pilots as well?
Why is this dashcam footage just uploaded for public entertainment like this? Aren't there a lot of privacy issues, like the pilot not wanting everyone to know he wasn't dressed properly when the polce asked to speak to him?
Someone had to do a freedom of information request (aka Sunshine Law or similar). In Florida, you basically can get any body-worn camera of any arrest or police interaction provided a report or incident number (which if you call the police, there is number assigned). It's as easy as filling out one or two forms, online from another state even. Get the incident number by describing it (like another passenger could say person removed by...
Someone had to do a freedom of information request (aka Sunshine Law or similar). In Florida, you basically can get any body-worn camera of any arrest or police interaction provided a report or incident number (which if you call the police, there is number assigned). It's as easy as filling out one or two forms, online from another state even. Get the incident number by describing it (like another passenger could say person removed by law enforcement from UA flight whatever on whatever date) and submit to the police department and you'll get a digital copy. They redact personal info like names, SSN, date of birth, phone numbers, etc. Some states blur faces of those not directly involved. Almost all blur minors.
It varies state by state but Florida is by far one of the most open and easiest to get footage (or any public document... I mean you can easily get just about any government employee's emails). Big time use of body worn cameras, or more so the rapid expansion of their use, and the ability of just about any member of the public to see the footage to "keep their police accountable" came after the 2014 events in Ferguson, MO, and the Black Lives Matter movement. All in the name of transparency... and it means everything is transparent.
It doesn't have to be alcohol.
It could have also been pills or other substances which is why she didn't smell like booze.
All gate agents seem to care about is hectoring people about the number of carry-ons. They routinely fail to flag drunk passengers and pass the problem to crew members.
I think that's mildly unfair as they are not interacting with most passengers other than scanning a boarding pass and most of the time lately you scan your own. One of 150 people in a crowd moving past able to follow closely in line and not speaking to them.... that's kind of a challenge unless someone is really over the top.
The only crime here was the captain using a clip-on tie. That is conduct that is grounds for arrest.
It can be for safety reasons.
It's the reason that I wore a clip on tie while working around the baggage belt...I didn't want to get strangled.
One of the United ground crew made the key comment: "if we can't control you on the ground, we won't be able to control you in the air" (rough quote/paraphrase).
This lady is outraged, yes - fine - but she's clearly being difficult and this is a potential hazard during the flight (to her and others).
and yet there is no legal standard that you have to become a lapdog when you board a flight.
You simply have to follow crew directions.
Intoxication is a reason why that might not be possible but, let's be clear, that there are far too many crews esp. in the US that look for reasons to throw people off of planes and passengers that escalate what should be a routine "it is your...
and yet there is no legal standard that you have to become a lapdog when you board a flight.
You simply have to follow crew directions.
Intoxication is a reason why that might not be possible but, let's be clear, that there are far too many crews esp. in the US that look for reasons to throw people off of planes and passengers that escalate what should be a routine "it is your responsibility to prove that I am unfit to fly and your assertions will never fly in court."
"and yet there is no legal standard"
Wow, Tim. Thought you of all people would know this one. There IS a legal standard, and has been for a LONG time, as codified in the FARs:
FAR 121.575 Alcoholic beverages.
(subpart "c")
(c) No certificate holder may allow any person to board any of its aircraft if that person appears to be intoxicated.
That standard - "appears to be intoxicated" - has flown, and will continue to fly, in court.
Many years ago I was on a flight, it was maybe 1/3 full and near the end of boarding this lady was stumbling down the aisle and a GA attendant was watching her and said to the FA we have to take her off the plane.
Despite her not causing any trouble, and she didn't fight being asked to get off the plane since she was probably pretty wasted, you can't let someone like...
Many years ago I was on a flight, it was maybe 1/3 full and near the end of boarding this lady was stumbling down the aisle and a GA attendant was watching her and said to the FA we have to take her off the plane.
Despite her not causing any trouble, and she didn't fight being asked to get off the plane since she was probably pretty wasted, you can't let someone like that on board because in an emergency she could not get off the plane by herself. Just a danger to herself and other passengers on board.
Bottom line, stop drinking before flying. Get wasted at home. If you are too afraid to fly, then drive or don't travel.
Give me a fcuking brake. That ‘woman’ was under the influence. no one said it was alcohol. So the gate agent was covering her own arse. no one pisses on themselves while jsut standing in the gangway, as we clearly see in the video.
There is no doubt in my mind, that the crew were fully justified in taking the necessary precautions, to ensure the safety of all on board the aircraft. All passengers should be grateful for the successful conclusion to what could have been a potentially dangerous situation.
KTNBOTP
you gotta love the captain deciding to get dressed as he faces the police body cam.
would be interested to know if she was given voluntarily or by her own request a breathalyzer test.
I think many people would volunteer for one if truly not intoxicated (or maybe even if they are). Though as some recent legal cases have shown, the results are irrelevant as far as the airline goes. They can still ban you even if it came up 0.00 as you were a "disruption."
and that's the point.
Airlines can act like you are a disruption but there are not shortage of cameras.
Dr. Dao proved his point by simply not moving. No confrontation necessary.