An act of incivility affecting hundreds of people. A 39-year-old woman caused the return of a plane to the boarding gate by refusing to end a call and turn off her phone, People reports.
The incident took place on April 27, on a Delta Airlines flight from Miami International Airport to Atlanta. As the plane was taxiing towards the takeoff runway, passengers were asked to switch off their electronic devices to avoid disrupting the pilots’ maneuvers.
The passenger was detained by the police
However, the woman, who was on the phone with someone, refused to hang up. In a video of the scene, several other passengers can be seen trying to reason with her. “Please show consideration, please,” a man filming her says.
Despite the crew’s insistence, the passenger became increasingly aggressive. The plane’s pilot ultimately decided to turn back and return to the boarding gate. All passengers were disembarked, and the disruptive woman was apprehended by the police, who had been alerted in the meantime.
Soon to be summoned to court
The woman has since been released and is expected to be prosecuted for violating aviation laws. She faces a prison sentence. The other passengers were able to reboard an hour later and depart for Atlanta. “Delta enforces a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior,” a spokesperson for the company reiterated after the incident.
