A Delta flight experienced a delay due to a passenger’s refusal to end a phone call before takeoff, as reported by the airline.
Authorities apprehended Shannon Marie Harris, a 46-year-old from Tyrone, Georgia, after her behavior prompted the evacuation of approximately 200 passengers from Delta flight 1323. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office carried out the arrest last week.
Scheduled to depart from Miami International Airport to Atlanta on April 27, the flight was disrupted when Harris continued her phone conversation while the plane was moving on the runway. Despite repeated requests from flight attendants to disconnect, she persisted, according to Delta representatives.
Reports indicate that Harris became combative during exchanges with the crew, as detailed in an arrest report obtained by WSBTV.
The situation escalated to the point where the pilot requested her removal, prompting the plane’s return to the gate for her disembarkation.
Despite a Delta supervisor boarding the aircraft to ask Harris to exit, she refused, necessitating the involvement of police.
A deputy then arrived, also got on the plane and asked the woman to leave, but she continued to stubbornly stay put.
The captain then decided that everyone would have to get off the flight.
Shannon Marie Harris, 46, was arrested on April 27 after she allegedly refused to hang up a call while a Delta flight was taxiing. She is facing at least one misdemeanor charge for trespassing
A video taken by another passenger showed a deputy get on the plane and ask Harris to leave after flight attendants had reportedly already asked her to do so multiple times
The incident took place on Delta flight 1323. The captain ordered everyone off the plane after Harris allegedly refused to deboard. A Delta flight is pictured taking off (stock image)
A video taken by another passenger showed dozens of travelers moaning and complaining after the announcement that they would all have to deboard was made.
Harris finally got up to leave the plane along with the rest of the passengers, and she was arrested at the gate.
She is now facing at least one misdemeanor trespassing charge, according to arrest records reviewed by WSBTV.
The plane did eventually take off after Harris was arrested, but the flight was delayed by about an hour.
‘The safety of our customers and crew comes before all else, and Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior,’ a Delta spokesperson told the Daily Mail. ‘We apologize to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels.’
In the video taken by another passenger, a man who was seated near Harris could be seen attempting to reason with the woman and get her to leave the flight.
‘There’s over 100 plus people. They’re catching flights. They’re going to see their families, their kids,’ the unidentified man could be heard telling her.
As he spoke, another passenger could be heard saying, ‘Please be considerate. Please be considerate. Consider yourself and the rest of us.’
The flight was taxiing at Miami International Airport (pictured) and was bound for Atlanta. The plane was carrying about 200 passengers
Another moment in the video showed passengers chanting ‘get off the plane,’ as frustration grew and people became more agitated. When the deputy arrived, travelers could be heard clapping.
When it was announced that everyone would have to deboard, a chorus of people saying ‘aww’ could be heard. One man loudly said: ‘So we’re all supposed to listen and [she] doesn’t?’
Throughout the video, flight attendants could be heard asking the passengers to ‘remain calm.’
Harris was released from jail on a $500 bond, and she is scheduled to appear in court on May 15.
According to Florida law, trespassing on a plane where there are other people on board is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Delta for comment.
