Via iStockphoto / @stayingblonde TikTok
One of the most unsettling announcements a traveler can hear mid-air is, “We’re turning the plane around.”
There are hundreds of reasons why a plane may need to return to its origin. A mechanical issue, a medical emergency, or an unruly passenger, for example, can all result in an unexpected 180.
When it happens, there’s generally a bit of an in-flight panic among passengers as they try to figure out what’s going on. Now, a woman on TikTok has documented what that panic looks like in real time. Here’s the wild reason why her Southwest Airlines flight to Maui ended with a stop in Oakland.
What Went Wrong On This Southwest Flight?
In a video with over 502,000 views, TikTok user Michelle Tucker (@stayingblonde) shows herself on an airplane.
“We’re on a flight on our way to Maui right now, and we were over the Pacific Ocean,” Tucker explains. “Then, all of a sudden, we turn around, and we were told we’re going back to Oakland.”
According to Tucker, the pilot provided no additional information about why this was happening. The sudden reversal, paired with the lack of information, made Tucker queasy.
“My life flashed before my eyes, because I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s happening?’” she says.
When the flight arrived in Oakland, Tucker claims that U.S. Marshals boarded the plane and removed a passenger.
In a follow-up video, Tucker says that, after removing a passenger, “the pilot finally then came on and said that, yes, they came back to remove someone from the flight that they were not comfortable with having on that flight.”
The plane departed a few hours later, landing in Maui the same day.
The Whole Story Is Revealed
While in Maui, Tucker says she happened upon a man who was on the same flight. However, they were closer to the incident—and gave Tucker an insight into what went down.
“It was a lady in the front of the plane who was having issues and started arguments with people,” Tucker shares. “So, the flight attendants moved her to the back of the plane, right next to this gentleman and his two daughters.”
“While she was in the back of the plane, she started arguments with the passenger sitting next to her, including him. Ended up throwing a phone at them at one point, and that is when the flight attendant said, ‘Nope. We’ve got to turn this around. She needs to get off.’ So, that is what they did.”
Tucker says that no announcement was made because “they didn’t want to agitate her more.”
After landing, Marshals removed not only her, but also other passengers in the surrounding area. Tucker says this was done to get their statements for a “possible case.”
“I guess you have to de-plane to give your statement, so that’s what was happening,” she says.
What Is She Entitled To As A Southwest Passenger?
If your flight is delayed because an unruly passenger made the plane late or caused the plane to return to its origin, you’re likely not entitled to any compensation.
The Department of Transportation notes that there are rules and common industry practices for airplane delays. That said, most of these rules only apply when the delay is controllable. A delay for safety reasons—such as the removal of an unruly passenger—is probably not enough to get compensation.
That said, airlines understand how incidents like these can alter passenger plans. Consequently, many airlines make an effort to set the flight off again as quickly as possible, or rebook passengers as needed.
In Tucker’s case, she says in a follow-up video that she not only ended up in Maui the same day as planned, but that Southwest Airlines even offered her and the other passengers an apology email and travel vouchers.
What Will Happen To The Person Kicked Off The Plane?
If a person gets kicked off a flight for being “unruly,” they will face more problems than just not arriving at their destination on time.
According to the Department of Transportation, an airline can remove a boarded passenger “due to a safety, security, or health risk, or due to a behavior that is considered obscene, disruptive, or otherwise unlawful.”
In these cases, kicked-off passengers receive no compensation. They can also be criminally charged. The FAA notes that unruly passengers can face significant fines (up to $43,658 per violation), travel restrictions, and jail time.
Commenters Are Relieved
In the comments section, users agreed that, if a pilot decides to turn a plane around, it’s probably for the best.
“Anytime a pilot says we’re turning and and landing, and don’t care the reason. My safety is more important than my schedule,” declared a user.
“Happened to me twice in the past! But, we had an engine fail…both times!!” exclaimed another.
“That happened to us in 2006- however- we could not go back to mainland since we were too far. Our issue was an earthquake – it was so scary!” offered a third. “The pilot saying ‘Ladies and gentlemen’ just the tone…..”
BroBible reached out to Tucker and Southwest Airlines via email.