[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

"...why would you want to pursue it any more and possibly get kicked off the plane?"

So, Corbel, if one files a discrimination complaint, or takes an airline to court, the airline feels it can flaunt the common carrier laws.

"...you paid for A seat not specifically that seat you assigned or were assigned too (sic)..."

That's probably true Corbel. But that doesn't allow Continental, or any other airline, to take someone's first class seat away, force them into coach, and not refund the fare difference.

And the way most courts see it, those worthless flight vouchers Continental, and the other US-based carriers, hand-out do NOT take the place of cash!

MS. TAYLOR:

Out of all the passengers involved in this incident, if there were NO non-African American passengers who, also, were forced into coach, I think a discrimination complaint would be worthwhile. At a minimum, it would force Continental to provide a clear explanation as to why you were singled-out.

Depending on the state where this incident took place, you might do better if you file a complaint with the state, as opposed to the US Dept. of Transportation. If this incident took place at Continental's Newark hub, you should contact the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights in Trenton. However, if this took place at Continental's Houston hub, I would go through the (US) DOT.

Again, this is, yet, another example of why people should consider Amtrak if they are traveling within the mainland US. Given the racial balance of most Amtrak crews Ms. Taylor would, most likely, have had, at least, one crew member taking her side if this same incident happened on Amtrak.