Survivor Jerri Manthey Voted Off US Airways in Luggage Debacle

09 Mar

No stranger to conflict, Survivor television series villain Jerri Manthey was removed from a US Airways flight in Charlotte, North Carolina, for disobeying the flight crew’s instructions in regard to her carry-on bags. In an open letter to US Airways management posted to her facebook page, Jerri attributes the incident, which forced the plane to return to the gate from the runway before departure, to power-hungry, bible thumping stewardesses who are too old to do their jobs effectively. The incident raises questions about the passenger rights vs. heightened post-911 security concerns on board civilian aircraft.

The text of Jerri’s open letter:

CHAPTER ONE: CONFUSED, ANGRY, VIOLATED

The time is 2:35 AM, Eastern Standard Time on March 4th, 2010. I have been checked into a hotel near Charlotte airport in North Carolina and am still processing the overwhelming feelings of anger and confusion. I have gone over and over the horrifying scene in my head trying to figure out why the flight attendant on my flight decided to single me out, embarrass me in front of everyone and have me removed from the plane.

My parents, who I just got off the phone with, are happy I am okay, but are still trying to process the fact that I won’t be coming home tonight. They had been waiting at the airport at my final destination in Huntsville, AL when I called.

I feel violated and harassed. Plain and simple.

CHAPTER TWO: MS. STASIO MAKES IT PERSONAL

It started the moment I set foot on the plane. As soon as I turned onto the aisle to make my way to my seat, Ms. Patricia Stasio (badge #JS237548, EMP#015973) stopped me and told me I couldn’t take my carry-on with me and that I would have to leave it to be put underneath the plane. Her reason had something to do with it having wheels (?). I would like to point out that my carry-on is far below regulation size and has NEVER been a problem on the many flights I have taken since I bought it over a year ago – even planes that were much smaller than this one. I explained to her that I’ve never had a problem and reassured her it would fit perfectly underneath the seat in front of me and I was more than willing to show her that it did. I also reiterated what the voice over the intercom had said to all waiting to board, “All carry on luggage must be no larger than the size of a briefcase.” She immediately became argumentative and disagreeable.