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Elderly retired doctor, wife sue airline, sheriff, deputies after couple kicked off plane
Louisiana Record ^ | 8/23/2019 | John Breslin

Posted on 08/24/2019 11:00:06 AM PDT by simpson96

An elderly retired doctor and his wife are suing an airline, some of its employees, a sheriff and his deputies, saying he was illegally arrested and subjected to excessive force after being removed from an airplane at New Orleans International Airport.

Dr. Johannes Markus Sieber and his wife Mina Margareta Sieber Schneiter, both 74 and citizens of Switzerland, were removed from a Delta Airlines flight at the airport in November 2016 following what they say was a minor incident over the placing of luggage in an overhead compartment.

According to the suit filed in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, as Sieber was attempting to put his wife's luggage in the compartment he accidentally dislodged a plastic bag containing about 20-30 small packets that were approximately 4 inches by 1.5 inches. Instead of helping Sieber with the packets as they fell to the floor, a flight attendant went to the back of the plane and pushed a "red button" that alerted other attendants, the suit claims.

The suit further alleges breach of contract by Delta and damages for mental suffering, and unlawful arrest and use of excessive force by two deputies called on to the plane following the baggage incident. Sheriff Joseph P. Lopinto is named in the suit, accused of failing to supervise or properly train deputies Jesse Steer and Erroll Harris.

Sieber was charged with resisting arrest and striking an attendant with his luggage, which be denied. He said he was held in handcuffs in a cage, then removed to jail, where he remained for 16 hours. The Jefferson Parish District Attorney declined to prosecute him on those charges.

(Excerpt) Read more at louisianarecord.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: airlines; aviation; deltaairlines; johannesmsieber; louisiana; police
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To: blu

It could also be that a Delta flight attendant in New Orleans with a chip on her shoulder saw an elderly, well-to-do white man and got trigger-happy to push the red button instead of helping him.

But anyway, this was 2016, why no cell phone video?


41 posted on 08/24/2019 1:06:35 PM PDT by GnuThere
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To: PghBaldy

Things that make you go “Hmmmmmm”


42 posted on 08/24/2019 1:18:58 PM PDT by Hulka
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To: wardaddy

I think it has to do with the packets. . .just me talking.


43 posted on 08/24/2019 1:20:09 PM PDT by Hulka
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To: SkyDancer

How many hundreds of flights did Delta operate successfully that day without a lawsuit? You got the whole story? Cabin crew over reacted? How do you know exactly what happened? Why don’t you extend a little respect for the thousands of professionals that have been in the aviation field a lot longer than you have.


44 posted on 08/24/2019 1:32:22 PM PDT by 6AL-4V
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To: Leaning Right

Yes indeedy, 74 is barely middle age!


45 posted on 08/24/2019 1:52:08 PM PDT by erkelly
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To: 6AL-4V
Just going by some of the stupid things that Delta has done over the years; and Delta is not alone.

And I am a professional - I fly for Frontier Airlines as an F/O so get off your high horse and be a bit more respectful. Thank You in advance.

46 posted on 08/24/2019 1:58:33 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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To: Political Junkie Too; windcliff; stylecouncilor

Wow, I guess New Orleans really IS Chocolate City.


47 posted on 08/24/2019 2:09:27 PM PDT by I Drive Too Fast
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To: simpson96

Waiting for a 5th grader to provide the facts of the incident before I comment.


48 posted on 08/24/2019 2:11:25 PM PDT by RetiredTexasVet
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To: I Drive Too Fast

Lol


49 posted on 08/24/2019 2:19:01 PM PDT by windcliff
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To: SkyDancer

You have the high horse attitude. Blaming Delta and the cabin crew when you don’t have all the facts. I have zero respect for a pilot that doesn’t stand behind their flight crew. I’ve been a line mechanic for almost thirty years, and your haughty attitude is typical of the few pilots that give pilots as a group a bad name with the other work groups in the industry.


50 posted on 08/24/2019 2:22:53 PM PDT by 6AL-4V
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To: 6AL-4V

Your profile page belies your attitude without YOU knowing all the facts either. I strongly suggest you change your profile statement to reflect your attitude with what you’ve just posted.


51 posted on 08/24/2019 2:26:52 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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To: SkyDancer

I never claimed to know all the facts, that’s why I don’t jump to conclusions about an incident and slam an airline or its employees. How long have you been flying for Frontier?


52 posted on 08/24/2019 2:47:14 PM PDT by 6AL-4V
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To: simpson96
The Swiss don't have the first clue what 9/11 was about. The Swiss don't have the first clue about much these days.If an airline employee says you're off the flight...then you're off the flight. If I was on the jury I'd vote...”not a bloody nickel”.
53 posted on 08/24/2019 3:36:42 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (A joke: Brennan,Comey and Lynch walk into a Barr...)
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To: Governor Dinwiddie

Maybe if airlines didn’t charge for luggage like in yesteryears plus took better care of baggage maybe more people would check their luggage instead of carry on’s.


54 posted on 08/24/2019 4:15:54 PM PDT by tflabo (Prince of Peace, Lion of Righteousness)
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To: Leaning Right
Amazing how that happens! Can’t point out exactly when it did either! 🙄
55 posted on 08/24/2019 4:28:40 PM PDT by grame (May you know more of the love of God Almighty this day!)
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To: Leaning Right

Should have pressed George on the benefits of the Gatling gun.


56 posted on 08/24/2019 4:48:29 PM PDT by wally_bert (Hola. Me llamo Inspector Carlton Lassiter. Me gusta queso.)
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