A Bay Area passenger was asked to leave a Delta Air Lines flight after her T-shirt, which highlighted the issue of veteran suicides, was deemed inappropriate by a flight attendant. This incident occurred on October 16 at San Francisco International Airport, and Delta is currently investigating. According to NBC Bay Area, the passenger is a Marine Corps veteran. (Source: SFGATE)
Newstro Quick Facts
- On October 16, a Marine Corps veteran was removed from a Delta flight for wearing a T-shirt that highlighted veteran suicide rates in the U.S., leading to a confrontation with a flight attendant.
- The T-shirt, sold by the Til Valhalla Project, featured a message that read “End veteran suicide” but was classified as “threatening” by Delta staff, prompting the passenger’s removal and forced outfit change.
- Delta’s policy allows staff to remove passengers if their attire creates an “unreasonable risk of offense” to others. The airline is currently reaching out to the passenger directly to investigate the situation further.
The incident took place on October 16, when Catherine Banks, a Marine Corps veteran, was asked to deplane from her Delta flight at San Francisco International Airport. Banks was wearing a T-shirt that highlighted the high rate of veteran suicides in the United States, featuring the slogan “Do not give in to the war within.” According to Banks, a flight attendant deemed the shirt “threatening” and demanded she change before re-boarding.
Once Banks exited the plane, she was instructed to change on the jet bridge, where she had to turn her back due to not wearing a bra. Despite explaining her military service to the flight attendant, Banks was told, “I don’t care about your service, and I don’t care about her service. The only way you’re going to get back on the plane is if you take it off right now.” She was then allowed back on the flight but was required to sit in the back, despite paying for a seat with extra legroom.
Banks’ T-shirt was produced by the Til Valhalla Project, an organization that raises awareness about veteran suicides and funds memorials for fallen soldiers. According to the United Service Organizations, veteran suicide rates have reached an all-time high, with over 30,000 active duty personnel and veterans taking their own lives since 9/11. Delta’s Contract of Carriage outlines that passengers can be removed for attire that may offend others, a policy the airline invoked in this case. Delta has since stated that it is reaching out directly to Banks to investigate further.
Definitions Table
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| San Francisco International Airport | Major airport located in San Francisco, California, serving as a hub for international and domestic flights. |
| Delta Air Lines | One of the largest airlines in the United States, known for its extensive domestic and international routes. |
| Veteran Suicide | A significant issue among military veterans, with high rates of suicides reported, especially among post-9/11 veterans. |
| Marine Corps | A branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection, using the mobility of the U.S. Navy. |
| Til Valhalla Project | An organization dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers and supporting veterans struggling with mental health issues. |
| United Service Organizations (USO) | A nonprofit organization that provides support to military personnel and their families worldwide. |
| Contract of Carriage | A legal document detailing the terms and conditions under which airlines operate and transport passengers. |
| Jet Bridge | An enclosed, movable connector that extends from an airport terminal gate to an airplane, allowing passengers to board or deplane. |
| Post-9/11 Veterans | Military personnel who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the events of September 11, 2001. |
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