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>> “The fact of the matter is airlines have a nearly absolute right to kick people off their planes, this was a battle he could not win.” <<
Complete nonsense!
They must obey the laws, and remain in compliance with their “carrier contract,” which prohibits them from removing a passenger after admitted to the aircraft except is certain rare circumstances related to the specific passenger.
They were outside their own submitted carrier contract, and all commercial and admiralty law. (admiralty law takes over when the plane is demonstrably under way)
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The Supreme Court assessed what must occur to invoke federal admiralty jurisdiction in Executive Jet Aviation, Inc. v. City of Cleveland, 409 U.S. 249 (1972).