A household flying out of Nashville Worldwide Airport documented their encounter with an airport police officer who was threatening to arrest a gaggle of passengers ready for particulars about their delayed Southwest Airways flight.
“I assumed that it will be greatest to begin recording ’trigger I wasn’t certain what was going to occur,” stated Amani Robinson, who filmed the change.
On Christmas Day, Robinson and her mom, Shelley Morrison, have been attempting to make their flight to Cleveland, Ohio, to be with household.
Whereas contained in the terminal, they have been approached by a BNA police officer. The video, captured by Robinson, confirmed the officer saying, “You and her want to depart otherwise you’ll be arrested for trespassing.”
Morrison couldn’t consider what she was listening to.
“You stated you’re going to arrest individuals for trespassing, for being at a ticket counter for a flight?” Morrison requested within the video.
“Sure, in the event you don’t have a legitimate ticket, and also you’re on the safe aspect and refuse to depart, you may be arrested,” the officer stated in response.
In accordance with a press release launched by BNA officers, a Southwest Airways worker requested for an officer to escort passengers from the C Concourse to the pre-security ticket counter.
“It was completely stunning to expertise that,” stated Morrison. “I believe that the feedback have been meant to ring a bell of concern, and actually, for a second, concern rose up, however then a righteous indignation type of rose up as nicely.”
The 2 have been on the airport for hours after receiving a number of notifications that their flight to Ohio was delayed. Morrison and Robinson have been amongst a whole lot caught on the airport, ready for solutions by way of the winter climate.
“It was dangerous sufficient to have the difficulties with journey. We perceive we will’t management the climate, however the insult to damage was our therapy by the authorities there on the airport,” defined Morrison.
The officer seen within the video claims the passenger’s flight was canceled, subsequently their boarding move was invalid they usually needed to go away the secured space. Nonetheless, Morrison and Robinson say that is false, claiming it wasn’t till just a little after 4 a.m. that they discovered their flight was formally canceled.
“All the data from Southwest was opposite to what he acknowledged in our first encounter with him,” Morrison stated.
BNA officers launched a press release on Wednesday explaining why the officer was within the concourse, although it didn't deal with the incident straight.
“The Division of Public Security at Nashville Worldwide Airport® works to make sure the security of all passengers all through the airport,” BNA wrote in its assertion. “Sadly, the current winter climate disruptions have introduced operational challenges to airways and airports throughout the nation resulting in flight delays and cancellations. With the excessive variety of flights impacted at BNA on Sunday night, vacationers have been requested to go to the pre-security ticketing counters for assist to rebook flights. Southwest Airways personnel contacted the Airport Communications Heart asking that a police officer be dispatched to C-concourse, Gate C-7/9, to escort passengers to the pre-security ticketing counters. We perceive and admire the frustrations vacationers might have, and we're working to supply the very best passenger expertise for all.”
Morrison advised Nexstar’s WKRN she thought the airport’s assertion was well timed but incomplete, including that the officer’s conduct needs to be addressed appropriately.
By sharing their video, Robinson and Morrison are hoping that others shall be inspired to know their very own rights and really feel assured in standing up for them.
“I believe it was fully inappropriate and pointless,” stated Morrison. “For there to be a risk of being arrested, when there was no belligerent habits, no disrespect in the direction of the officer, or another officers.”
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