An Australian man was allegedly removed from a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Brisbane after taking a photo on the tarmac.
Jimmy Mitchell has claimed that a crew member called him an “idiot” for using his phone which led to a confrontation resulting in his removal from the plane.
The incident has sparked debate on social media regarding airline policies and customer treatment.
On Wednesday, Mr Mitchell, with his wife Pauline and two children, were about to board the flight when he took out his phone to click a photo of the family.
He failed to realise that an announcement had been made that stated that passengers were prohibited from using phones on the tarmac due to the refuelling of the plane.
He reportedly said later that he had noise-cancelling headphones on and had not heard the announcement.
While eventually allowed back on board, Mr Mitchell has now demanded an apology from Jetstar, criticising their handling of the situation.
Mr Mitchell shared his experience on TikTok. He recounted that when a crew member attempted to capture his attention to stow away the device, it left him feeling embarrassed and taken aback.
“This is the worst experience I’ve ever had flying,” he said in the clip.
“I try and get on the plane, I take a photo of my kids as they get on the plane, in flight mode, and the lady calls me an idiot.”
The flight attendant reportedly informed Mr Mitchell, whose family had already boarded, that he wouldn’t be allowed to board the flight and “threatened” that police would be awaiting him.
“I can see how she maybe felt I was being intimidating because I am a big guy and I am a loud guy. She turns around to me and goes ‘you almost assaulted me, get off the tarmac, you’re not getting on this plane’.”
Mr Mitchell reportedly returned inside the terminal and awaited further instructions. Eventually he was permitted to board the flight “after cooler heads prevailed”.
He is demanding an apology from the airline for the “stressful” ordeal. He also criticised the airline for their treatment of his family and their failure to allow him to communicate with them about the situation, deeming it entirely unacceptable.
The affected passenger claimed that he was almost reduced to tears.
“It’s one thing that she was completely out of line for calling me an idiot, I can get over that I am a big boy – and…
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