A passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight was removed from the aircraft and taken into custody after she allegedly declined to terminate a phone call, leading to a disruption that delayed the departure.
Incident Details
On Monday, Delta crew members requested that Shannon Marie Harris, 46, conclude her phone call as the plane prepared for departure from Miami to Atlanta. According to an arrest report obtained by WSB-TV, Harris reportedly became belligerent when asked to comply.
The pilot subsequently ordered the aircraft to return to the gate, where Harris was instructed to disembark. She allegedly refused, prompting the flight crew to ask all passengers to exit the plane. In an attempt to leave with the other passengers, Harris was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
Passenger Reactions
A video recorded by a fellow passenger and shared with Fox 5 Atlanta captured other travelers urging Harris to "please be considerate" and leave the aircraft. One passenger was heard saying, "There's over 100 plus people [on the plane], they're catching flights, they're going to see their families, to see their kids." At one point, passengers began chanting, "Get off the plane!"
Another passenger questioned the fairness of the situation, asking, "So we're all supposed to listen, but [she] doesn't?"
Flight Delay and Airline Response
The flight eventually departed one hour after its scheduled time. A Delta spokesperson stated, "The safety of our customers and crew comes before all else, and Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior."
The Independent has sought comment from Delta. Information regarding legal representation for Harris was not immediately available.
Regulatory Context
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that passengers place their phones in airplane mode during flights due to the potential for portable electronic devices to interfere with aircraft navigation or communication systems. Additionally, failing to follow crewmember instructions can violate FAA regulations. A 2021 Department of Transportation memo notes that "failure to follow crewmember instructions may interfere with the crewmember’s ability to perform duties" and could result in civil penalties of up to $13,910.
