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A Marine Corps veteran was almost kicked off a Delta Air Lines flight at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) because a flight attendant took offense to her t-shirt. This was not a political t-shirt or one with offensive language. It called for the end of veteran suicides, but a flight attendant found it “threatening.”
Catherine Banks was en route to see her sister (another Marine) when a flight attendant decided that she was not flying wearing what she had on. SFGATE reports that the t-shirt read “Do not give in to the war within. End veteran suicide.” The shirt’s message is admirable and something that should definitely be supported as US military veterans’ suicide rates are at an all-time high (according to United Service Organizations). The USO reports that more than 30,000 active duty soldiers and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 had committed suicide. That’s a sad and staggering number.
This was not on the mind of this flight attendant and Banks was forced to change in the jet bridge. She was reportedly not wearing a bra and had to turn away from the male flight attendant who ensured her compliance.
Banks reportedly asked the flight attendant:
Are you kidding me? I’m a Marine Corps vet. I’m going to see my Marine sister. I’ve been in the Marine Corps for 22 years and worked for the Air Force for 15 years. I’m going to visit her.”
He allegedly replied:
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.”
Banks was permitted back on the aircraft, but says that she was forced to the back of the plane and did not get to sit in one of the extra legroom (I’m assuming Comfort+ seats) that she had paid for on her trip.
The t-shirt in question is sold by Til Valhalla Project. It honors soldiers by raising funds to provide families with memorial plaques after their loved ones die and to also help pay for therapy for struggling veterans.
Anthony’s Take: I have seen people wear shirts with all sorts of foul language and offensive messages. They have been allowed to fly without issue. Delta needs to further investigate this incident and make sure that this flight attendant is brought down from his power trip.
(Featured Image Credit: Til Valhalla Project.)
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