A Bay Area veteran experienced a distressing incident while attempting to board a Delta flight at San Francisco International Airport, leading to widespread discussions about airline policies and passenger rights. Catherine Banks, a Marine Corps veteran with over 22 years of service, was asked to deplane due to the message displayed on her T-shirt, which read, “Do not give in to the war within. End veteran suicide.” This phrase, which Banks advocates for, is a significant part of her mission to raise awareness about veteran mental health issues.
On the day of her flight, Banks was preparing to visit a fellow Marine sister when a male flight attendant approached her. Initially confused, Banks soon realized that the attendant was addressing her directly. “Ma’am, ma’am,” he called out, prompting her to look around in bewilderment. The attendant informed her that she needed to leave the plane, leaving Banks in shock. “What did I do?” she recalled asking, bewildered by the sudden request.
After disembarking, Banks was informed by the flight attendant that her shirt was deemed “threatening.” The veteran expressed her disbelief, stating, “Are you kidding me? I’m a Marine Corps vet. I’m going to see my Marine sister.” Despite her lengthy service in the military and her intention to support a fellow veteran, the attendant remained firm in his stance. He told her, “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.” This left Banks in a difficult position, as she was not wearing a bra at the time.
In a moment of discomfort, Banks had to turn away from the attendant to put on a sweatshirt, obscuring the message on her shirt. Once she complied, she was allowed to board the flight again. However, the situation did not resolve favorably for her. Banks was informed that she could not sit in the extra legroom seat for which she had paid a premium. Instead, she was reassigned to a seat at the back of the plane, further compounding her frustration.
The incident resulted in a delay of the flight, causing Banks to miss her connecting flight. Following the ordeal, Delta Air Lines issued a statement indicating their intention to reach out to Banks directly to discuss the situation further. A spokesperson for Delta noted, “Delta is seeking to make contact with the customer directly to hear more so we can begin to look into what occurred.” As of the latest updates, Delta had not provided additional comments regarding the incident.
In the aftermath of her experience, Banks expressed her disappointment and humiliation over how she was treated. The incident has sparked conversations about the appropriateness of airline policies regarding passenger attire and the importance of understanding the context behind certain messages, especially those related to mental health and veteran issues.
As discussions continue about the incident, many are calling for more sensitivity and awareness from airline staff when it comes to understanding the significance of messages worn by passengers, particularly those related to mental health advocacy. The situation has also highlighted the challenges faced by veterans in society and the ongoing battle against veteran suicide, an issue that Banks is passionate about raising awareness for.
While Delta has reached out to Banks to address her concerns, the broader implications of this incident remain a topic of public interest, as it raises questions about how airlines handle similar situations and the need for training staff to better understand the messages that passengers may carry.
