A Delta Airlines pilot threatened to throw a passenger off of an aircraft today, 30 minutes prior to it’s departure.
Delta Airlines flight 1047 from Atlanta to San Diego was originally scheduled to depart ATL at 6:55pm Eastern on 1/3/2009, on a 767 aircraft. When passengers got to the gate, they were not informed of any delays or changes. However, when boarding the aircraft, the Delta gate agent informed the waiting passengers that their seats had all been re-assigned, as there had been an equipment change. The gate agent did not call this a “last minute” change, as the 757-200 had arrived from San Diego and had unloaded it’s passengers while most of the departing passengers were waiting to board. It is apparent that Delta had planned to use the 757-200 for several hours prior to the aircraft’s arrival, and simply did not care enough about it’s passengers to notify them ahead of their scheduled departure.
Many of the passengers were surprised as they boarded that their seat assignments had been changed, and one gentleman was almost removed from the plane for asking why they hadn’t been informed earlier of the equipment change. One flight attendant was heard saying, “You are going to have to speak with the Captain about this”, and when the Captain and the passenger spoke, the Captain told the passenger, “We’re one step from throwing you off this flight”. At no time did the passenger become unruly or violent, he was simply frustrated by Delta’s apparent lack of courtesy to it’s paying customers.
Also overheard from the Captain’s discussion, were the following:
“Are you going to be calm for this flight?” (the passenger was calm)
“We will not stand for passengers raising their voice or cursing” (the passenger didn’t raise his voice)
“With the recent events, we have to be extra careful” (the passenger went through security, didn’t have any incendiary sewn in his underwear, and was not exhibiting any violent actions)
So, now it seems that freedom of speech is also forbidden, on these, “Friendly Skies”.
The passenger in question first had an exit row seat, then was moved to a middle seat on the 757-200 replacement aircraft, and finally, after being threatened, was given an aisle seat near the rear of the aircraft.
Delta Airlines has not yet commented on our story.
