It is so sad that ticketing agents are not schooled in racism. I am white and my husband is polynesian. Granted he is large and has a beard something resembling muslim but he is not. He is from the island of Tonga.
Upon boarding flight Flight 2942 Sunday night we were stopped at the ticketing agent upon boarding. She singled us out and stated all carry on compartments are full. We asked if we could stow our bags under our seat. Mind you they were nothing more than a backpack and a bag with childs booster seat.
We were told all compartements are full and that they would be checked at our final desination, very rudely. Our ticket was from Hartford to Fort Myers with a lay over in Charlotte and we intended to depart in Charlotte. They very rudely stated again to "take everything of importance like medications out of our bag".
I asked why we couldn't stowe these bags under our seat. "Because all overhead compartments are full" They kept staring at my husband. I guess he fit the profile of a terrrorist because they were extrememly angry and rude with him. He just stated he wanted his bags off at Charlotte. They told him that was impossible.
As we handed our bags over and walked down the ramp we both turned around to look at the line behind us waiting to get on the plane. There were no less than 15 people with bags in hand waiting to get on the plane. I occured to both of us at the same time that we had been targeted by these white woman ticketing agents who were extremely rude.
My husband walked to them at the back of the line and said "please give us those bags; they are our property". Then he stated the obvious. Why did you let everyone else behind us in line to bring on their bags and we could not?
They yelled "because your tickets are illegal". I was stunned by what they were accusing us of. I asked them to further explain and they would not. Just keeped yelling at the top of their lungs "because you have illegal tickets. We purchased our tickets through a very reputable travel company.
My husband then demanded our bags back and they became heated and screamed more at us. My husband said he was not leaving without his bags. They said they would arrest him and they called the police.
I proceeded to get on the plane because my sons and grandson where already on there. I asked if I could speak with my Son who is an officer on the plane, I was told absolutely not.
My husband stayed back and when the police came to get his statement, he told them what happened. The ticketing agents where there to tell their side of the story as well. Long story short, the police profusely appologized to my husband and said the ticketing agents were in the wrong to target you. You did nothing wrong.
The two ticketing agents walked away. Very bigeted airline and should have training for all employees on the ediquate of how to treat people with dignity and respect.