[gloriastravel]

After a connecting flight was delayed for 6 hours in the Ft Lauderdale, FL airport, during which we were given 3 different stories as excuses, Jetblue finally gave us $12/pp vouchers for dinner which was not even available in this terminal so we ate cold, stale sandwiches that cost more. They kept changing their story about this flight delay, then they wanted us to go out to the counter and through security a second time! My husband and I started out at 9 a.m. from JFK and trying to spend 4 days in Nassau, had to change planes in Ft. Lauderdale. We were supposed to be landing at around 7:30 pm well it was 9:30 pm before we learned this flight was being cancelled. We were offered a replacement flight being put together for 11:30 at night, not even sure we still had a hotel room waiting for us and completely exhausted, we had to agree with this. At the original gate, a number of us were queing up demanding to know what was going on because they continued to provide very sketchy and conflicting information. A man started yelling at a few of us and it turned out he was a flight attendant, waiting for this flight, and he started complaining that HE only got paid for time in the air, and HIS time was being wasted in the terminal. I am in bad health and need to be on some kind of a schedule, now I had a 20 hour long day being dragged around airports with little food and no rest. By the time the replacement flight boarded after 11 pm, I was dizzy as I am diabetic and have a lot of associated medical issues and I needed badly to put my head down. I put my seat back while the plane was on the runway, and one flight attendant came over told me I had to put the seat upright. I explained that I was feeling ill - I'm also a senior citizen - and he said, well, just till we take off....so I put my seat upright. My husband was seated next to me and my purse with my blood glucose test kit, my insulin, syringes, and some of my medications, was at my feet on the floor so the flight attendant that screamed at us on the ground, now came over and told my husband to kick my purse under the seat in front of me. So my husband did this, and I had put my headphones on to try to rest and look at the tv screen so I didn't hear him. He wasn't satisfied with this. He leaned in (the fl. attendant), started talking to me, so I took off my headphones. He said "you have to keep your purse under the seat in front of you" so I said yes, whatever; I've never been picked on this much on an airplane." that was my only statement to him. I never pulled my bag out from under the seat, although I needed to check my blood sugar, I left it alone so this guy wouldn't harrass me anymore. 5 or 10 minutes later 2 big thugs from the airline came over and threw my husband and me off the plane. They also had 2 sheriffs deputies with guns escort us up the jetway and bark orders at us. We are 2 professional people in our 60's with multiple health issues, we tried to get away for a 4 day trip. We mind our own business and are respectful of others and never bother anyone. We've never been in trouble in our entire lives. My husband is a retired military officer and is now in an important government position and always treats people wonderfully. I said ONE THING to the flight attendant, who clearly had a chip on his shoulder. I couldn't walk so the sheriffs deputy told me he could "see why I was thrown off the plane" and threatened to arrest me.
We didn't get to Nassau until the next day on a different flight, and while I have a complaint in to Jetblue, I'm not expecting much. They were rude to us back at the airport, all everyone did was yell at us and treat us like criminals. We don't even get a parking ticket, I'm a professional woman and follow rules everywhere I go. I was so humiliated, embarrassed, and caused so much mental distress, I cried all night; I was sick and actually throwing up during about half of our 3 days in Nassau and I wasn't even able to go out on the beach. I'd gotten dehydrated and my blood pressure and blood sugar were off so I was too ill to do anything on this trip except sleep and throw up. Thanks Jetblue, I scrimped and saved for months for a trip for a few days. My husband is having cancer surgery in a few weeks, what a great send-off you gave us, I never want to fly again and I am an experienced traveller. What a disgrace, I don't think I will ever get over it.

[Ombudsman]

Sorry for your bad experience but it sounds like your carryo-on wasn't properly stowed for takeoff and when confroned about it instead of simply complying with the flight attendant challenged his instructions.

Bad idea.

[gloriastravel]

It was stowed. My husband kicked it under the seat in front of me.
Interestingly, I had a lot of necessary medical supplies in there and under the Americans with Disabilities Act, I am entitled to keep emergency medical supplies within easy access. There are syringes and there was cash in my purse and the person in the seat in front of me had access to my possessions this way. I have never, in dozens and dozens of flights I've taken, been asked to put my purse anywhere and I often have it right on the seat next to me for safekeeping. In this case, my husband kicked it underneath the seat and I never touched it after that, and in "challenging" the flight attendant, all I said was "I've never been picked on this much on an airplane" I did not refuse his request, which in fact had already been complied with. Additionally, this was my "personal item" not a carry-on, my carry-on was in the overhead bin. (it is small).
Nobody has a right to treat another human being this way, ombudsman, who are you an airline employee?

[jimworcs]

The ADA doesn't apply to airlines. No luggage is exempt from FAA requirements not to block the means of egress in an emergency, for take off and landing.

This complaint is fundamentally about the attitude of FAs and their abuse of power. This does not sound like this couple deserved to be thrown off the plane, even if they were grumpy or had attitude after a long fraught day. There is far too much of this abuse of power by FAs it is time they were reigned in.

[gloriastravel]

Actually I was not blocking "egress" because I was sitting next to a window and not in an emergency exit seat. Additionally, my purse, if anyone read this original complaint and the follow-up, was totally under the seat in front of me when this FA put his face in front of me with his lecture. I only said "I have never been picked on this much"
I didn't know the ADA doesn't apply to airlines, I had never read that they are exempt but I can understand rules for general safety.
This was just a flight attendant being mean.
He was angry because on the ground, when he complained about not wanting to be delayed, either, I told him that he works for the airline so he's being paid; then he got really mad and yelled at me that he doesn't get paid for time in the airport, and not only did I not realize this, but he had no right telling me this stuff; I am the customer, after all.
My husband felt like this guy was "gunning for me" looking to mess with me and throw me off of this airplane for no reason. The ADA rules, although I still feel my rights were violated, aren't even important here as I did not in any way fail to comply with airline regulations nor did I block "egress" from the plane, and in fact, I had complied before he put his face in front of me with his lecture. I never had a bad experience flying, I have had flights delayed and cancelled but never had a problem with a flight attendant. If they have too much power and need to be reigned in, this is definitely possible. I never had this information about them before so I had not formed any opinions. They normally go around, remind you to put your tray up before you land, and provide you with a beverage; I've in fact sometimes needed to use a rest room before the seat belt sign came off when we take off, and they've assisted me because my health is not good but I still want to travel while I still can. All the FA's on all of my trips have always been pleasant to me, and if they can, in fact, destroy a trip for someone because they don't like your attitude, then there is definitely a problem. Once again, I didn't do anything wrong. Anyone at the airline should have demanded to know why a CUSTOMER was being treated so horribly before they just reacted because from what I saw in the press, Jetblue has had more than one irrational flight attendant. If this is their problem, they definitely need some controls and you shouldn't have to win a popularity contest to be allowed to ride on the plane that you have PAID for. I wasn't even that grumpy, just not feeling well and very overtired. Why did he need to speak to me at all when my purse was already under the seat and I made no moves to touch it? I always sit next to a window and I've never had this request made of me on dozens of flights. This FA was picking on me, he got mad on the ground and also a supervisor there told him to NOT TALK to the passengers till they were on board the plane, so he definitely had it in for me. This was one of the most terrible experiences I've ever endured it was just horrible for me, I am very traumatized by it.

[jimworcs]

I agree. It absolutely sounds like he was 'gunning' for you, as a result of your comment in the terminal. This is abuse of power, and increasingly common in airlines. You should complain to JetBlue and be honest about the circumstances. People like him often do this frequently. If enough passengers complain, we can hope that they will take action.

It is common misperception that blocking egress rules apply only to the emergency row. In fact FAA rules require that all luggage is stowed under the seat in front of you, regardless of which row you sit in or which seat. Even putting a handbag on an empty seat next to you can be dangerous, as in an emergency it can become a missile. In this case, you had complied, but he was in a foul mood and ready to take revenge. There is little you can do, as airline staff often have significant powers, combined with low intelligence. However, I would file a complaint. I would just leave out all the stuff about your medicines and the ADA. They are irrelevant to the really story here, which is about the abuse of power.

[gloriastravel]

You are correct of course, the major issue is that this guy had a really bad attitude and my husband and I were compliant with all of the regulations of the airplane, such as: seats upright, trays up and secured, all luggage stored in overhead bins and 2 small personal items under the seats in front of us, and for saying I felt "picked on" which I did, it was an innocuous enough statement that I should have never been kicked off of an airplane for this! It is disgraceful and I did actually complain to Jetblue by phone and email on their website, I will update if/when I ever hear back from them. There definitely is a lower intelligence level among some of these airline employees, however I've never encountered hostility like this before. You should not just arbitrarily throw a paying customer off of a flight, even if they argue with you, as long as they are compliant which I was. Interestingly, a congressman sued one of the airlines (not Jetblue) a number of years ago for throwing him off an airplane, it really is outrageous behavior and it should require some investigation when people are treated this way. I'm sure there are circumstances where some people could be dangerous, but nobody could look at my husband or myself, think that saying that "i'm being picked on" is grounds to throw me off an airplane, it was the last flight out and almost midnight, this was cruel and totally uncalled for. I'll let you know if I hear back on this matter, what they did to us was wrong and at that hour of the night, these people are totally lacking in compassion.

[jimworcs]

I agree. Keep us posted. You might also try talking to the media.

[gloriastravel]

Yes, thanks, I have considered the press and also the FAA, there should be a limit to what people can do to hurt you when you don't do anything wrong. There should be some attention and some oversight to this.
I realize my health is a side issue but I was literally sick over it.
Regardless, what's right is right. I will let you know how this plays out and whatever other steps that I might take in the future.
It was one of my most horrible experiences and I didn't deserve it, not something I can get over easily. I am glad I found this complaint forum, I will advise as to the next step(s) or whatever responses I get.