Three Women Arrested After Boarding Plane with Excess Carry-On Bags
Three women have been taken into custody following a disruptive incident at Miami International Airport, where they allegedly boarded a Frontier Airlines flight with too many carry-on bags and refused to leave the aircraft. The arrest occurred on Sunday night as the trio attempted to travel to Philadelphia, according to official reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
Confrontation Over Baggage Fees
The situation began when a Frontier employee noticed that the women—identified as Nafisa Dockery, 30, Davana Cochran, 26, and Dionjana Cochran, 21—had only paid for one of their two carry-on bags during the boarding process. When the employee instructed them to step out of line and pay for the additional bag, the group engaged in what police described as a "verbal altercation" with the worker.
After the employee reiterated that they needed to either pay for the extra bag or be removed from the flight, Dockery reportedly told her companions, "We don't have to listen, let's just go." The trio then proceeded to rush onto the plane through a door marked as a restricted area for authorised personnel only, bypassing standard boarding protocols.
Police Intervention and Arrests
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers were informed by a Frontier manager that the group's boarding passes had been invalidated due to their actions, and a request was made for their removal from the aircraft. Police boarded the plane and instructed the women to disembark, explaining that their boarding passes were no longer valid. Despite multiple warnings that they would be arrested for trespassing if they refused, the women continued to defy the officers' orders.
In an attempt to facilitate the arrests, police asked all passengers to temporarily leave the plane. As the women exited with the crowd, Dockery allegedly spat on another individual. Once off the aircraft, the trio resisted arrest, leading to a brief struggle before they were successfully handcuffed and taken into custody.
Charges and Flight Delays
The incident resulted in the flight being delayed for more than an hour, causing inconvenience to other travellers. All three women were charged with Resisting Officer Without Violence To His Person and Trespass Property/After Warning. Additionally, Dockery faces an extra charge of Battery. They were transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, and details regarding their legal representation remain unclear at this time.
Authorities have emphasised the seriousness of the charges, highlighting the potential risks associated with such behaviour in airport environments. The Independent has contacted Frontier Airlines for further comment on the matter, but a response has not yet been received. This case underscores the importance of adhering to airline regulations and cooperating with security protocols to ensure safe and efficient travel for all passengers.
