The Houston Chronicle printed the details of the events leading up to Victoria Olsteen's departing the plane.
Apparently, from witnesses, a beverage was spilled (whose fault?) on Victoria's tray, and she asked an attendant who was passing through, to please clean it up. The attendant was carrying paperwork to the front, and had her hands full and said she couldn't do it right then, and Mrs. Olsteen said something like, "Will you get someone who can." And not knowing the rest of the conversation, it probably went downhill from there.
My personal observation, since no charges were filed -- which would be SOP whenever anyone is "removed" from a plane, one could guess that Continental might have sided with Victoria that the attendant over-reacted. At least that's how I am reading it. The newspaper article said it was mutual that Victoria departed the plane.
The Olsteens finished their airline trip later in the afternoon.
I wonder if the phrase, "Do you know who I am?" was ever uttered?
She may have asked to leave the plane voluntarily after the incident because you will be spending the next couple hours with that person with NO way out.
I've left businesses before because of rude treatment. Wouldn't want someone in the service industry spitting in your food.
Airlines give customers a single napkin and in the event of a spill, that is hardly going to be enough to clean it up (regardless if the customer or the stewardess spilled it). If the motto is going to be "get it yourself" then the airline needs to improve "self service" options.
Was she permitted to even get out of her seat to clean herself or had the order come down for all passengers to remain in their seats?
Would this have even made the news if it had been some "nobody"?
I think you've summed it up nicely.