United Passenger Missed Her Delayed Flight, Got Arrested — Then Lied To Her Daughter About It

A United Airlines passenger arrived at West Palm Beach airport (now President Donald J. Trump International Airport) at nearly 9 p.m. for a delayed Newark flight. The boarding time on her boarding pass said 3:52 p.m. The flight was delayed, but she never wound up getting on. Instead, she spent the rest of the evening arguing with United employees, police deputies and an airport employee before getting arrested. She later told her daughter that the flight was canceled and “the nurse is here.” Police bodycam footage has only just been shared online, but Monday, March 16 was am awful day to travel. More than 12,500 flights were delayed or canceled as storms hit several major hubs. The FAA imposed air traffic control delays at Newark, and 36% of United’s flights were disrupted. United flight 1395 from Palm Beach to Newark wound up six hours and 48 minutes late. It was a rolling delay, and when she arrived after the airport around 9 p.m. The agent told officers that the woman approached yelling and cursing. They couldn’t find a new fight for her for two days. The passenger got louder and took photos of the officers. They tell her she is free to record them, but repeatedly warn that continuing to yell will prevent her from flying. She seems to have spent much of her delay drinking? One deputy finally tells her that she first needs to “sober up and calm down.” Airlines are prohibited from boarding someone who appears intoxicated under federal regulations, and United can also refuse transportation for disruptive or abusive behavior. Deputies offered to help her call an Uber, taxi or her son. She asks who will pay, says she has no money and explains that her son has gone to Miami. They escort her to the terminal exit while she films, threatens legal action against them and announces that her brother is “a big-time attorney” in New Jersey. That’s when an officer suggests that her lawyer might also come pick her up. She demands a Department of Airports representative, calling it the “Department of Air Force,” and they calmly serve her a formal trespass warning barring her from the airport for a year. She demands a supervisor, asks everyone to define due process and warns the representative that she will lose her job. Walking toward the exit, she calls a Black deputy “Uncle Tom” and continues insulting the officers. When an officer finally says he is tired of going back and forth, she says, “I’m not trespassing” and that’s when she gets arrested. Sheriff’s deputies are able to enforce trespassing rules on all airport property. She resists being handcuffed, and an officer says she tries to kick him. After she complains of wrist pain, fire and rescue examines and clears her. About an hour later, her phone rings. It is her daughter asking whether she is on the flight. “No, it got canceled,” the woman says. “I had a problem with my leg… the nurse is here.” She does not mention the arrest. Before being taken to jail she offers, Am I mouthy? Yes, I am mouthy. That’s part of my personality. She was charged with trespassing, resisting without violence and resisting with violence. Prosecutors dropped the felony resisting with violence charge. She entered a pretrial agreement on the other two charges requiring a $250 donation to Palm Beach County Victim Services. Topics on this page