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Actor Marlon Wayans was removed from a United Airlines flight between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI) on Friday afternoon.
Apparently, he got into an argument with the gate agent over his carry-on bags. Wayans was told to consolidate his two bags into one. He did as asked, but was then told he’d have to gate check the bag. An argument ensued and he was denied boarding. He then slammed his ticket on the counter and tried to storm past the agent onto the plane.
He followed up on the post above saying that he has flown 15,000,000 miles and felt like this was racism and classism at play. I’m curious what aircraft he was supposed to fly on since United flew an Embraer RJ175, a Boeing 737-800W, 737-900, 737-800SFP, and an Airbus A320 on this route yesterday.
United Media Relations released this comment:
In Denver on Friday, a customer who had been told he would have to gate-check his bag instead pushed past a United employee at the jetbridge and attempted to board the aircraft. The customer won’t be flying on United to his destination.”
Anthony’s Take: Wayans says he was in seat 2A. It sounds like he boarded late and overhead bins were full. I can’t imagine a First Class passenger being asked to check a bag unless there was no more room.
(Featured Image Credit: @marlonwayans via Instagram.)
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10 comments
My guess is that it was an ERJ-175 as gate check usually refers to express flights. Gate checking your bag isn’t bad as you get it at the jetway when you deplane. The bins in the ERJ aren’t huge and can struggle to fit in the overhead bin. Plus if it was an ERJ the First Class is arranged ina 1- 2 configuration meaning there is only a tiny bin above his seat. If he was one of the later boards then it’s not fair to ask another passenger to move their stuff to accommodate his bag when there is a simple solution.
Of course it’s racism. Anyone else in F and they would have found space in another bin or a closet, etc.
I’ve flown millions of miles and never ever had to check a bag in F
Wyans is being a dumbass. He should know better
Assuming it wasn’t an RJ, Airlines should guarantee bin space for first passengers. To often they are full because eco passengers put bags in on way back. I’d rather board last when up front but can’t take risk bins are full
Assuming it wasn’t an RJ, Airlines should guarantee bin space for first passengers. To often they are full because eco passengers put bags in on way back. I’d rather board last when up front but can’t take risk bins are full
Kai….other F/A friends and myself don’t allow the eco pax’s to put their bags in the fc bin space and then go way on back. The only exception to that rule would be if all first class seats are already filled and there’s plenty of open head bin space in first class and then it’s permissible.
I’ve experienced this as well.. UA gate agent at EWR asked me to consolidate my laptop bag and my small tote bag.. I had 2 personal items and a carry on.. btw I was flying on a 787-9 and was in 1A with the whole bin to me.. I didn’t board late. I was prebaording with other GS members. Once I did consolidate, guy says he won’t let me board coz I told him “there are you happy now?” Wrote to GS and got 30k miles out of this but it’s FRUSTRATING that UA Gate agents go on power trips! And given how they can call the cops, deny boarding etc, as consumers we are scared and basically do as told!
The agent gave him the impression by combining his bags he would be ok to board ( then pax was told he had to check it ) What ??? The agent was totally wrong ( from a flight attendant of 52 years with American Airlines)
I’m so glad… I gave up that job. The company tells us, these are the never never rules. We try to “enforce” them and we are met with ‘they let me do this before’, ‘I want to speak to your manager’, ‘I know the CEO personally’. You assume the gate agent has UNLIMITED POWER – but they are just little nobodies that ultimately have to take your rude comments – ALEX “there are you happy” or being physically assaulted by MW and then being called names on the internet. No gate agent LIKES being the carryon police – NO ONE! If an FAA inspector catches this, we get fined. If another co-worker – like a flight attendant- wants to make an issue of it – we get written up. I tried using the term “SHARED OVERHEAD” but nothing is a deterrent. ….I’m no longer a gate agent, I’m a passenger. I fly different carriers all the times in the US/Canada markets – these 2 markets are subject to court of public opinion. I’ve watched people/families push their way up to the front of the boarding lines to stow 2 bags in the overhead 100s of times, limiting the number of people boarding behind them………Try flying internationally, and reading up on their policies – the carryon weight limits on international flights are staggeringly different from the US/Canada markets. I beg you… the gate agent has no power, nor are they singling anyone out – in both instances ALEX & MW – knew they were wrong and took their power (pushing an agent & rude comments) and still were rewarded for their bad behavior…..ALEX… 1A on a 787-9 is usually reserved for crew member’s luggage and/or cabin supplies. I’ve had to store my 1 carryon in 2A or 3A 80% of my flights on this plane.
Played the race card when he didn’t get his way. Waaaaaaa
Little punk.