United Airlines Removes Employee Who Had NFL Hall-Of-Famer Handcuffed

16.07.2024 - 20:29 / travelpulse.com / Rich Thomaselli

United Airlines has had to make an open-field tackle on one of its own employees.

The airline said it had to ‘remove’ a flight attendant who had a former NFL star and Hall of Fane player handcuffed following a flight. 

The incident involved former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis.

“This is clearly not the kind of travel experience we strive to provide, and we have reached out to Mr. Davis’s team to apologize,” the airline said in a statement. “We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.” 

United is the airline that had a passenger forcibly dragged from his seat after he refused involuntary bumping about eight years ago. 

Davis said he did nothing to warrant such treatment. He was on a flight from Denver to Orange County, California, with his wife and three of his children. He recounted the incident on his Instagram page.

Davis wrote that his son wanted a cup of ice and either he was ignored by the flight attendant or the flight attendant did not hear him. So Davis politely tapped the man on the shoulder. The flight attendant then yelled, “Don’t hit me.” 

“I was confused, as were the passengers in front of me who witnessed the exchange,” Davis said on Instagram. 

Davis said he did not speak with the flight attendant again and upon the conclusion of the flight was met by several law enforcement agents and arrested.

“I was – and remain – humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry,” said Davis.

Davis said he and his family were traumatized by the experience.

“The traumatizing experience of my two sons, daughter, and my wife watching me being placed in handcuffs – without due process or explanation – cannot be undone,” said Davis.

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