Posted on 07/05/2011 8:21:27 AM PDT by camerongood210
A Miami photographer was escorted off a US Airways plane and deemed a “security risk” after she snapped a photo of an employee’s nametag at Philadelphia International Airport Friday.
Sandy DeWitt said the employee, whose name was Tonialla G., was being rude to several passengers in the boarding area of the flight to Miami.
So DeWitt snapped a photo of her nametag with her iPhone because she planned to complain about her in a letter to US Airways. But the photo didn’t come out because it was too dark.
However, once DeWitt was settled in her seat, preparing for take-off, Tonialla G. entered the plane and confronted her.
“She told me to delete the photo,” DeWitt said in an interview with Photography is Not a Crime Saturday morning.
DeWitt, who already had her phone turned off in preparation for take-off, turned the phone back on to show her that it didn’t come out, but deleted the photo anyway.
“I complied with her wishes but it’s not something I would normally do,” she said. “It just wasn’t usable.”
But Tonialla G. wouldn’t let the issue go. She then walked into the cockpit to inform the pilot that DeWitt was a “security risk.”
Next thing DeWitt knew, she was being escorted off the plane by two flight attendants. Her husband followed.
“I announced to the other passengers that I was being removed because I took a photo,” she said. “ I announced that photography is not a crime.”
By this time, she had Tonialla G.'s named memorized, so she didn't even need the photo anymore.
Off the plane, she spoke to a Michael Lofton, a US Airways manager at Philadelphia International Airport, who told her she would not be allowed back on the plane because she was a security risk.
But even though she was supposedly a security risk, Lofton directed her to American Airlines where they supposedly had a flight back to Miami leaving soon.
However, that flight had already departed and it was already after 7 p.m., so there were no other flights back to Miami until the following morning.
“We were expecting to spend the night at the airport,” she said.
They eventually boarded a Southwest Airlines flight to Fort Lauderdale at 11 p.m.
They landed at 1:15 a.m. and had to wake up a friend to drive them to Miami International Airport, about a 45 minute drive, where their car was parked.
“Southwest really stepped up to the plate for us,” she said. “I can’t say enough about them.”
DeWitt is a commercial photographer who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Photography.
These flight attendants are starting to remind me of the cops who arrest people for video taping them.
Some years back, I flew Northwest out of Mpls and noticed the flight attendant’s name tag was “O. Miss.”
>>> These flight attendants are starting to remind me of the cops who arrest people for video taping them.
Just you wait, till everybody is under the ‘Gubmint Health Care’, you haven’t seen nutting yet.
DeWitt is a commercial photographer who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Photography.
Claire Cleary: Actually Todd is an amazing painter. He's going to the Rhode Island School of Design.
John Beckwith: Wow, that's a great school. Congratulations, Todd. That's really impressive. RIS-D!
Todd Cleary: Yeah, Dad - Dad always thought I'd be a political liability... [getting angry]
Todd Cleary: ...in case he ever ran for President.
Secretary Cleary: Now, now Todd. Actually, truth be told, polling shows that a majority of the American people would ultimately empathize with our situation.
Todd Cleary: [sharply, raising his voice] What IS our situation, Dad?
Grandma Mary Cleary: You're a homo.
LOL!
Seems as though Tonialla G was trying to keep the photographer from making a complaint and instead gave the issue fast tracking.
Sounds like the Hilary Rule, when people in the White House were directed not to look at her.
Brother, you got that right. When the nurse/medical assistant knows you can’t go across the street to their competitor you just watch customer-unfriendly they become.
Welcome to the USSA, comrade.
“Security” is whatever the Organs of State Security say it is.
Remember, a police state is a safe state!
Sounds like US Air is trying valiantly to wrest the “most obnoxious employee” award away from United.
I actively avoid both airlines. I’ve never had bad experience from either, but I’ve seen enough to cause me to choose their competitors when I can.
When I was in grad school, I stopped for lunch at Jack in the Box. There was a new htttie working behind the counter. Her name tag was made with red Dymo tape with white lettering. It simply read, "M. TOAST". A week later, her permanent name tag arrived. A nice brushed gold background with black lettering. It read "Melba". Snicker. Mom and dad named you "Melba Toast".
htttie -> hottie
Tonialla G?
Will she play the Race Card?
Is she one of Holder’s People?
Very funny movie. Funniest scene in the movie follows this one!
Tonialla? That’s some name.
I betcha she was being rude to white passengers.
US Air, formerly “All Agony”, (Allegheny), Airlines.
Bottom of the barrel.
As one who has endured countless hours in PHL while flying US Airways and dealing with their personnel, I cannot say that I am greatly surprised.
For the way she treated the photographer, this Amish woman should pay with her job.
Arbeit Macht Frei!!!
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