Orthodox Jewish Passenger Alleges Forced Removal from Airline Bathroom
An Orthodox Jewish flyer claims a United Airlines pilot forcibly removed him from a lavatory during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, despite his struggle with constipation, revealing his private parts to fellow passengers.
New Jersey resident Yisroel Liebb recounted his ordeal through supposedly unfriendly skies in a federal lawsuit filed this week against the airline and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He alleges that DHS officers boarded the plane upon landing, took him into custody, and handcuffed him.
Liebb, along with another Orthodox Jewish traveler, said they missed a connecting flight to New York City as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers led them through the airport terminal, confined them in cells, and rummaged through their luggage.
“CBP Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on a flight at the airline’s request,” said Hilton Beckham, the CBP assistant commissioner for public affairs. “We cannot comment further due to ongoing litigation.”
United Airlines declined to comment, and there was no immediate response from an attorney representing Liebb and the second traveler, Jacob Sebbag.
The lawsuit, submitted Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, claims that Liebb was in the rear bathroom of the plane for around 20 minutes on January 28 when a flight attendant woke Sebbag to check on him. After Liebb explained his situation to Sebbag, he informed the flight attendant.
Ten minutes later, with Liebb still in the restroom, the pilot instructed Sebbag to investigate. The pilot reportedly shouted at Liebb to vacate the lavatory immediately.
Liebb claims he informed the pilot he was almost finished, but the pilot forcibly broke the lock, opened the restroom door, and dragged Liebb out with his trousers down, revealing him to Sebbag, crew, and nearby flyers, as per the lawsuit.
“The pilot appeared furious, demolished the door lock and pulled Liebb out, exposing him to those close by,” the lawsuit stated.
Liebb described feeling “sexually violated and humiliated by the public exposure.”
The lawsuit continues, “With Sebbag guiding Liebb, the pilot repeatedly shoved them back to their seats, threatening arrests and making derogatory remarks about their Jewish faith.”
Upon landing in Houston, about half a dozen CBP officers reportedly boarded the aircraft and escorted the pair off.
Liebb states when he questioned their detention, an officer tightened his handcuffs and replied, “This isn’t county or state. We are homeland. You have no rights here.”
Though United eventually booked them on a complimentary flight to New York the next day, the supposed savings were offset by costs for an overnight hotel stay and food during their delay.
According to the travelers, the handcuffs inflicted “severe wrist pain” that “lingered for several days.”