Passenger sues airline and claims pilot yanked him out the plane bathroom for ‘taking too long’

A passenger is suing an airline after he claims he was pulled out of the plane’s toilet by the pilot. The passenger has claimed they were yanked out of the bathroom on the flight, as the pilot shouted at them and exposed them to others on-board.

According to a complaint filed with the Southern District of New York, as reported by People, the two passengers involved were on a United Airlines flight. They were departing from Tulum, Mexico and heading to Houston. During the flight, one of them got up to go to the toilet.

It’s been claimed that around 20 minutes later, the passenger travelling with him was alerted their companion hadn’t returned from the bathroom. He got up to check on his friend, who through the door said he was suffering from constipation.

It’s been alleged another 10 minutes passed, and then the pilot got involved. According to the complaint, the pilot began shouting through the bathroom door and then turned to the friend and “began loudly demanding he force [the other passenger] out of the bathroom.”

His friend claimed he explained the situation, but the pilot allegedly became “visibly enraged, broke the lock on the door, and forced the door to the bathroom open.” It’s then been claimed the passenger was pulled from the bathroom, with is trousers still down. The complaint has claimed he was exposed to “several flight attendants, and the nearby passengers on the plane.”

Photo by Eva Darron on Unsplash

According to an official from the Department of Homeland Security, the two passengers had ketamine pills in their possession and were exhibiting erratic behaviour, including barricading themselves in the bathroom.

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It’s been reported the two passengers then returned to their seats. As the plane landed, Customs and Border Protection agents handcuffed the “constipated” passenger, and removed him from the plane.

In the lawsuit, the passengers have claimed they suffered injuries in the altercation, and pain from handcuffs for several days following. They also described themselves as being dressed in “traditional Jewish garb” when the incident occurred. Because of this, they believe the United Airlines pilot purposefully shared misinformation with the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and the Transportation Safety Administration, which they believe led to them to be unlawfully detained and searched.

In a statement provided to People, CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham said, “CBP Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on a flight at the request of the airline. Due to the ongoing litigation, we are unable to provide any further comment.”

The passengers are now seeking damages for emotional distress, and the costs of their legal fees.

United Airlines has not commented. For more like this, like The Tab on Facebook.