Senator John Fetterman was filmed getting into a verbal altercation with the pilot of an American Airlines regional jet on a trip from Washington’s National airport to Pittsburgh. The Senator refused to wear his seatbelt, this was reported to the captain, who intervened very professionally “it is a federal regulation.”
Fetterman is seated at the right side bulkhead of the regional jet. He’s a tall man and needs to be in first class! And he comes from money – his affluent parents were supporting him up into his political career, so he can pay for it (although it is not clear whether this was an upgrade, or a first class ticket that also could have been purchased using non-government funds).
He’s offered a seat belt extender so that it can fit and remain visible outside of his baggy sweatshirt. Then the Senator is told by the pilot, “If you want to go to Pittsburgh, you’re going to have to follow our instructions or you’ll have to get off the airplane.” Fetterman may be important, but the captain is in charge, yet he continues to argue.
The footage of John Fetterman arguing with a commercial airline pilot about wearing his seat belt: https://t.co/d1FRGRy9oN pic.twitter.com/LmhOEMG4HB
— Brendan Hartnett (@BrendanHartnett) May 2, 2025
The incident occurred in February, but video is just now circulating along with stories from a strongly negative piece in New York Magazine. The piece reports that he got into a bad accident, having fallen asleep at the wheel, driving himself after a redeye flight.
Um, what is going on with John Fetterman? pic.twitter.com/gnfqcffG4M
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) May 2, 2025
Any other passenger would have been removed and possibly arrested.
Fetterman’s white privilege and his politics, while known to most, is irrelevant to the situation.
The flight crews do not make up the rules (unless they are making up rules). There are very real penalties for violating FAA regulations. You adhere or you’re off the plane. Doesn’t matter if you’re Fetterman or Trump or Jesus Christ or Karen from across the street. Sit down, STFU, follow the rules and stop being the selfish prick inconveniencing everyone else by delaying the flight.
But I don’t really have a strong opinion about this either way.
From the video it seems that the issue isn’t that he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, but rather that he had it tucked under the sweatshirt to make it fit better rather than on the outside. This is actually pretty common. I would assume most passengers don’t even know this is a rule, and it is probably one that 95% of flight attendants don’t actively enforce so long as the seatbelt is being worn. I’m no fan of Senator Fetterman’s politics, but he suffered major brain dramage from a serious stroke. I think the public should cut him slack (though I also think he should consider retiring from the Senate).
what’s wrong with this guy? what’s he flying a commercial flight for? get a private jet. someone’s gonna pay for it.
@Steven I say this as someone who respects Fetterman as a person and for much (not all) of his politics…he does not get a pass because he has long-term issues stemming from his stroke. He signed up to do a job and to be in the public eye. He can either do the job, or he can’t. If he can’t he needs to step aside. And, from where I sit, doing the job includes leading by example.
If race, gender and other things people have no control over should not be a determination in fitness for a job neither should the presence or absence of a disability. Not suggesting that’s what you think, just felt like musing today to see where the conversation goes.
@Steven, good point that he had the belt on but under his sweatshirt.
As for cutting someone some slack because of a stroke or the like — well (unless I was working in a retirement home or the like), if someone is being rude, I’m not going to worry over why they are, no I won’t cut someone slack because of their circumstances.
But, he wasn’t being rude, he was maintaining a civil and calm demeanor. I’ll cut him slack for that.
Sounds a bit like the story about Mohammed Ali. He wouldn’t wear a belt either, saying, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.” The FA said, “Superman don’t need no airplane neither.” He put it on.
So Uncle Fester holds up the flight because he can’t abide by a simple request.
So, an American Airlines crew tried to kick a sitting U.S. Senator off a flight because his seatbelt wasn’t visible? That’s actually NOT FAA regulation. It’s also not AA policy, it’s just a made-up power move. I can only assume that he showed it was buckled. End of story. Instead, the crew escalated like they were the flight deck swat team. This wasn’t about safety, it was about ego & quite possibly politics. If airlines want passengers to respect rules, maybe start by following the actual ones, not whatever nonsense gets pulled out of a hat.
Why is this guy such a slob whenever he appears in public? Does he not have any self respect? Someone needs to give him a few etiquette lessons on how to dress.
Fetterman was “sued”…Do you mean “filmed”?
Nytimes up against senatorfetterman- prior darling of the left- could it be because he’s outspoken supporter of Israel,? Sadly an anomaly in the democratic party.
Lol, this brain dead moron. Shows how pathetic the people of PA are that would elect someone with brain damage who looks like every white guy in a police body cam footage over a world renowned cardiologists and media king.
The whole appeal to the “working class” in this country is pathetic.
Fetterman’s brain is not working right since his stroke. It happens, and it’s unfortunate that those closest to him have not told him so.
@ Larry Hyatt — Seriously. And this guy wants to be Prez? Oh wait, there are no standards for that job anymore. How could I forget? Being a big fat, asshat seems to be a requirement for the job right now.
The only reason this video is published now is to attack this Senator for not being one of the many lunatic liberal lawmakers who support foreign criminal illegal aliens and Hamas and their supporters.
Should have voted for cardiologist.