Woman Spends 3 Days In Jail Over Plane Seat Swap Gone Horribly Wrong

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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The next time you think you might want to change seats on your flight, consider this cautionary tale — one woman found herself in jail for three days, after attempting to do so on a United Airlines flight. She's now suing the airline for $5 million.

The incident happened in 2013, while 68 year-old Jean Mamakos was traveling from New York to Alaska. After changing planes in Seattle, she noticed the emergency exit row was empty, got up and moved after the entry door was already closed and secured. A flight attendant allegedly told her that she would have to pay $109 for the upgrade, because the row has extra legroom. Mamakos told CBS2 that she decided to move back to her seat after the upgrade cost was mentioned.

At this point, the story becomes a little unclear, because we don't have United's side of the story. Mamakos said a pilot made an announcement that "there is a lady who wants to get off the plane on this flight. So we have to wait." Mamakos didn't realize it was her who was being mentioned. According to Mamakos, she was surrounded by the flight attendants, who then demanded she leave the plane. Mamakos refused. Police were brought onto the plane to remove her, citing that she was trespassing - even though she had paid for a seat on the flight.

Mamakos was handcuffed and dragged off the plane, tearing her jeans in the process. Because courts were not open during the weekend, she had to spend three days in jail while her friends continued on to Alaska for their ski trip.

This is so bizarre, I don't know where to begin. United acknowledged the suit, but won't comment because it involves an active case. They did say airline FAA rules require that anyone who sits in an emergency exit row must be briefed before the flight, to make sure they are willing and able to assist in the evacuation of the aircraft, if necessary. I think it's obvious to most of us that Makamos must have pitched some sort of a fit, because you don't just get arrested for trying to change seats, even if the doors are closed. Like it or not, if you express anger toward the flight crew, they can have you removed for being a "flight risk." United says the case may be tried in a Brooklyn federal court.

http://flightclub.jalopnik.com/woman-spends-three-days-in-jail-over-seat-swap-gone-hor-1675569598
 
What is someone has a medical issues and needs the extra leg room does the airline still expect them to help with the evacuation of the aircraft ?
 
whatdidyousay! said:
What is someone has a medical issues and needs the extra leg room does the airline still expect them to help with the evacuation of the aircraft ?
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Yes. Those seats are only for passengers who can help with evacuations. Would you want someone blocking the emergency exit? :roll:
There are other seats on the planes that have extra leg room, at a price, of course.
 
Love Blue is correct. My husband and I were sitting in those seats once and we were given the instructions on how to operate the doors,etc. Good thing he's a burly strong fella, cause I never would have been able to do it.

Don't remember the circumstances as to why we were in those seats, because we did not pay extra. As I think about it, they were going to separate us, my husband explained I was deaf and we had to be together.....those were the only seats available side by side on that particular flight. They were sure comfortable with the extra legroom, as it was an overseas flight.
 
LoveBlue said:
Yes. Those seats are only for passengers who can help with evacuations. Would you want someone blocking the emergency exit? :roll:
There are other seats on the planes that have extra leg room, at a price, of course.
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I had a get seat next to an emergency exit when I flew from California to Boston and I had my baby with me and I was not told I would have to help with an evacuation. :nana:
 
it not women and children first anymore it who most able...
this airline being bit pedantic and ott though
 
If the airlines want passengers to help with an evacuation the airline should give the passengers a discount .
 
I saw this on FB and under the news station's article a LOT of people were questioning it... there has to be more to the story- there's pieces missing. I was on a flight to/from Europe a few years ago with a friend. Friend is very tall and had no trouble at all switching seats (moved to the first row in coach- more leg room there)- long as you ask the flight attendants if you can and there's empty seats.

If she was quoted a price- I would think the price would be the cost of changing in the middle of the flight but I have never heard of that. I have also seen people who were in the emergency exit row as assigned but moved if they could not perform the duties and the flight attendants were able to find volunteers (no idea if they were compensated in any way like vouchers though).
 
Yes, my classmate works for United as flight attendant. She's not buying any of this crap either. There is economy plus that gives leg room that costs more money. Most of the time the flights I've been on is full. There are a couple of times that the seats next to me were empty and I asked flight attendant permission if I can move or lay down which she said yes. It depends on the day and the timing of the flights that there is more than few seats left empty.

When you make reservation, you have the option to choose the seat or they seat you. That is where you are assigned to and you can't change the seats once you board. After the plane door is closed and ready for take off that is when I asked permission. Disobey the crew, drunkness or misbehaving will get you kicked off the plane.

DeafDucky said:
I saw this on FB and under the news station's article a LOT of people were questioning it... there has to be more to the story- there's pieces missing. I was on a flight to/from Europe a few years ago with a friend. Friend is very tall and had no trouble at all switching seats (moved to the first row in coach- more leg room there)- long as you ask the flight attendants if you can and there's empty seats.

If she was quoted a price- I would think the price would be the cost of changing in the middle of the flight but I have never heard of that. I have also seen people who were in the emergency exit row as assigned but moved if they could not perform the duties and the flight attendants were able to find volunteers (no idea if they were compensated in any way like vouchers though).
Click to expand...
 
Calvin said:
Yes, my classmate works for United as flight attendant. She's not buying any of this crap either. There is economy plus that gives leg room that costs more money. Most of the time the flights I've been on is full. There are a couple of times that the seats next to me were empty and I asked flight attendant permission if I can move or lay down which she said yes. It depends on the day and the timing of the flights that there is more than few seats left empty.

When you make reservation, you have the option to choose the seat or they seat you. That is where you are assigned to and you can't change the seats once you board. After the plane door is closed and ready for take off that is when I asked permission. Disobey the crew, drunkness or misbehaving will get you kicked off the plane.
Click to expand...
I have made last minute flights in the evenings when I was dating women in other states, usually in the evenings the flights are half full, I was on one flight with AA and there was at most 6 people on it... from STL to Houston, basically a 2 hour flight. cost me $63 round trip for the weekends. Another was STL to Louisville KY
 
I've flown in small jet before and it doesn't get filled that much, it's used for smaller airports and shorter hauls.

sonocativo said:
I have made last minute flights in the evenings when I was dating women in other states, usually in the evenings the flights are half full, I was on one flight with AA and there was at most 6 people on it... from STL to Houston, basically a 2 hour flight. cost me $63 round trip for the weekends. Another was STL to Louisville KY
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When we fly we always reserve seats in the very last row. Easier to get up, move around. no one kicking the back of your seat and almost always have empty seats near by where I can lay down if wanted.
 
whatdidyousay! said:
If the airlines want passengers to help with an evacuation the airline should give the passengers a discount .
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fair point but everyone say they do it...stewardess could say as taking off mr blah blah you responsible for seats b27 and mr blah blah who got his discount ticket could say stuff you everyman for himself...failing that air marshals and judo training for staff
 
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