The Chicago airport security officer who helped drag the 69-year-old United Airlines passenger off a plane by his arms, bloodying his lip and causing him to hit his head on metal, was placed on leave on Monday.
The terrifying and unnecessary episode aboard United Flight 3411 has quickly become a national embarrassment for the Chicago Department of Aviation and United Airlines. Millions of people have now seen the videos showing the screaming man being forcibly pulled from his seat, put to the ground, and dragged down the aisle. The man, who has claimed to be a doctor, was among four passengers randomly selected to give up their seats for United Airlines employees who needed to be in Louisville by Monday.
The terrifying and obviously disoriented man managed to get back on the plane after being removed. In multiple videos posted online, you can hear him as he runs down the aisle shouting “I have to go home.” Later, video shows him at the back of the plane saying, “just kill me … just kill me.”
The Department of Aviation had this to say about the officers’ actions:
“The incident … was not in accordance with our standard operating procedure and the actions of the aviation security officer are obviously not condoned by our Department. The officer has been placed on leave effective today and pending a thorough review of the situation.”
So many passengers shaken by the incident and some even left the plane after the incident.
Source: Chicago Patch
