(Newser)
–
Another flight-staff meltdown for the file: New York-to-Raleigh passengers already reeling over a five-hour delay were berated over the intercom by a furious flight attendant who dared them to get off if they "had the balls," the New York Post reports. "I’ve been in five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan," said an Army veteran. "I’ve never felt anxiety like I did sitting on that plane." Passengers had faced a two-and-a-half hour rain delay before getting on the American Eagle plane Monday, where they waited 40 minutes before having to turn back to refuel, forcing them to deplane.
Finally, four-and-a-half hours after the plane had been scheduled to depart, they reboarded, yet the plane still wasn't ready for takeoff. With tempers running high, flight attendant Jose Serrano took to the intercom. "If anyone has the balls to want to get off, I’ll let you get off. Get off!" he said, according to passengers, adding that he couldn't help the weather. After some fliers said they wouldn't fly with Serrano, police were called in and took Serrano off the plane to be questioned; the FAA is also investigating. The flight was ultimately canceled seven hours after it was supposed to take off. Law enforcement says it's because Serrano's removal left too few flight attendants, but the airline blames the weather—which means it doesn't have to cover customers' hotel costs.
