The WestJet passenger pleaded about his ‘two-year-old daughter,’ then launched into racist abuse before being removed from the plane. Arguing with the crew never ends well. Even when you’re right your best case is being removed from the aircraft and flying later. If you need to vindicate yourself just do it later.
What I’m most impressed with here is the pilot. Video of the incident starts after things had already gone sideways, and the pilot had to step in. He didn’t leave it to cabin crew, making a removal decision but staying in the cockpit. He came out and handled the situation.
According to other passengers, the man had already been loud and combative. So there was a decent chance this would continue and they’d need to divert or otherwise face a disruptive incident inflight. He made the correct call: this passenger wasn’t flying.
- Instead of leaving quietly, the man tried bargaining. “Here, take my hat,” he offered the pilot.
- The captain didn’t miss a beat: “Why would I want your hat?”
- He then told the passenger directly that he was taking responsibility – this was his call, not the flight attendants, “He’s not kicking you off, I am.”
It’s not clear what route this was. The flight was out of Abbotsford in British Columbia, Canada. WestJet serves Calgary, Edmonton (and seasonally to Puerto Vallarta in Winter). The airport is about 40 miles from Vancouver (and isn’t served by Air Canada).
The passenger, ironically wearing a religious shirt, cycled between pleading and lashing out. His go-to line—“I have a two-year-old daughter!”—was repeated so often it became a punchline online, especially since it had nothing to do with his behavior on board.
When it became clear he was really being removed, he pivoted to racist outbursts, calling another passenger a “white c-”.
In the end, the captain’s restraint is what stands out. He stayed cool despite the passenger’s tantrum, and was firm like you’d be with a small child. The decision was final. The passenger was off – his pleas and slurs just helped seal his fate.
Hats off to the pilot!
Guarantee you he was Middle Eastern or Asian Indian…..those are the rudest, most demanding people out there.
Wow, two comments to gratuitous racism. Must be a record.
Good pilot. Bad passenger. And @drrichard is right; @Doc423 is silly.
“I have a two-year-old daughter!”
I’m really sorry, sir… that your daughter is stuck with you for the rest of her life, unlike other passengers aboard this flight who only have to put up with you for a few more minutes while you deplane.