United Passenger Declares Herself God, Tries to Open Door on Flight to Boise

A woman onboard United Express flight UA5449 was restrained by other passengers — one tying her feet while another held her down — after she tried to open the aircraft door midflight and announced “I am God, I am God, I am God.”

She was also,

rambling and repeating phrases over and over including: “God has all the data.” “I don’t have any data.” “We landed in Boise 15 minutes ago.” “For three years.”

The pilot thanked passengers for stepping in to subdue the woman who was seated in first class with a travel companion.

The Embraer EMB-175 operated by SkyWest from San Francisco to Boise left San Francisco 7 minutes early and arrived in Boise 22 minutes early. The woman was taken into custody on arrival, even though her plan to open the door would never have worked due to cabin pressurization.

A year ago a United pilot behaved in a similar manner. And a few months ago a woman uncontrollably called on Jesus during a mechanical delay though that’s a bit more rational I suppose.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

More articles by Gary Leff »

Comments

  1. There has to be a joke in this someplace. Let me try ” Nancy Pelosi, John McCain and Paine Stewart walk into a bar….” Sorry not funny.

    This actually makes me think if the Jersusalem “Jesus Syndrome” effect that happens to some people. Also it doesn’t seem all that stressful to be aboard an on time flight either. I hate to blame it on the regional jet.

  2. The lesson here is to take the bath salts -after- you fly.

    Seriously, though, US airlines need a no fly list for people who do this stuff, whether it’s because of drugs or a psychotic break.

Comments are closed.