A notable event transpired at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers involving a traveler with United Airlines. On June 30, 2025, police body camera footage recorded the discussions among the airline staff regarding the removal of a passenger suspected of intoxication. The flight attendant alerted about the individual in seat 24F due to stumbling, incoherent speech, and an inappropriate demeanor, which led to a police notification. Nonetheless, a gate agent stepped in to support the passenger, asserting that she seemed fine and showed no signs of being under the influence. In spite of this defense, the captain reluctantly instructed the passenger to leave the aircraft. The passenger resisted at first but ultimately acquiesced, resulting in an altercation in the jet bridge where she urinated on herself while being restrained with handcuffs.
This occurrence provides a rare glimpse into the discussions among employees during such events. United Airlines had recently instituted a “huddle process” for handling intoxicated passengers, which mandates independent verification of “red light behavior” by two flight attendants. This scenario prompts inquiries into the passenger’s actions and the crew’s handling of the situation, highlighting the challenges involved in addressing such incidents.