A traveler learned the hard way that self-entitlement can result in removal from an aircraft. Shannon Marie Harris, 46, was ejected from a Delta Air Lines flight after repeatedly ignoring flight attendants' requests to end her phone call before takeoff.
Incident at Miami International Airport
The incident occurred on April 27 at Miami International Airport on Delta Flight 1323, which was heading to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. According to a Delta spokesperson, the customer did not comply with repeated crew instructions to end their phone call while the aircraft was taxiing. The situation escalated when the passenger became disruptive, forcing the aircraft to return to the gate where she was removed.
Passenger Becomes Belligerent
Flight attendants asked Harris multiple times to end her call just before takeoff. She refused and reportedly became belligerent, compelling the pilots to turn the plane back to the gate. After Harris would not leave as requested, everyone was forced to deboard, as reported by WSB-TV.
A video captured by another passenger and shared on social media shows one passenger pleading with someone off camera, asking them to consider the other travelers who were trying to make connecting flights. The video includes the caption: "Your phone call is never more important than an entire commercial flight."
Dozens of passengers can be heard groaning after the pilot announced the deboarding. The travelers then chanted "get off the plane" at Harris. One passenger asked, "So we're all supposed to listen and she doesn't?" Another said, "Please be considerate. Consider yourself and the rest of us." Flight attendants instructed passengers to remain calm.
Arrest and Charges
As other passengers got up to leave, Harris attempted to deboard but was met by police who arrested her, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. She was charged with trespassing and later released on a $500 bond. NBC 6 reported that she may face additional charges for violating federal aviation laws, including interfering with the duties of a crew member.
Delta Flight 1323 eventually took off about an hour after its originally scheduled departure time.
