Airline ejects passenger for being hungry

United makes meal of flight security

United Airlines ejected a loyal first class passenger from a recent plane flight because he asked if he would be getting dinner. At least, that's his story. He may have been ejected because he's the sort of security threat who claims he's talking about food when he's really talking about the police.

United takes such threats very seriously. At least for a few minutes.

In a blog post, Joe Sugarman says he recently boarded an United Airlines flight, sat down in his first class seat, and felt hungry. “Are you serving any meals during our flight?” he allegedly asked the flight attendant.

"I can’t answer that for security reasons,” she replied. Three minutes later, two armed police officers arrived and said "Sugarman, follow us."

“What’s the problem?” Sugarman asked.

“You apparently asked the flight attendant if the police were on-board,” a United representative said. "We’re not taking any chances and the captain asked that you be removed.”

“I only asked her if a meal was being served,” Sugarman said. But he was told it was her word against his.

Sugarman was escorted off the plane, down the ramp, and back into the boarding area – where a customer service representative was waiting to book him on the next flight.

And he was.

So, if you're the sort of security threat who claims he's talking about food when he's really talking about the police, you can't fly United. Until the next plane arrives. ®