She alleges that an airline employee forced her to remove her clothing in public, despite the fact she had served her country for more than 20 years.
Via KNTV:
A Bay Area Veteran described her shock and humiliation when she was thrown off of a Delta Flight due to the T-shirt she wore at San Francisco International Airport.
Catherine Banks was scheduled to leave SFO on Wednesday for the day, but a flight crew informed her she was wearing an unsafe shirt.
“A male flight attendant was saying, ‘Ma’am, ma’am.’ I looked around, like, ‘Who was he talking to?’ And it was me. He said, ‘You need to get off the plane,’ and I was like, ‘What did I do?'” [Catherine] Banks said.
It wasn’t until she got off the plane and on the jet bridge that the flight attendant told her why she was asked to deplane.
Banks was stunned when “[h]e said that the shirt she was wearing was dangerous. ”
I asked “Are you kidding me? I am a Marine Corps veteran. I’m visiting my Marine sister. ”
She told the employee that her words did not move him.
He replied: “I’m not interested in your service or hers. You can only return to that plane by removing your seat immediately.
What message was being alleged to be “threatening?” Don’t Give In To The Internal War End Veteran Suicide
#Delta say it isn’t so🤬 Marine vet kicked off plane over t-shirt worn to help struggling vetshttps://t.co/CCuARkEJO7 pic.twitter.com/9BZuJU3HpJ
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) October 19, 2024
According to Banks, it’s a cause that is close to her heart. SFGATE published a report on her shirt which honors and supports troops who need mental health support.
Til Valhalla Project sold Banks’ shirt. This project raises money to pay for therapy and memorial plaques to be provided to the families of fallen soldiers.
Banks’ embarrassment was heightened by the fact she didn’t wear a bra underneath her shirt. She had to change into a sweatshirt to protect her privacy. She was forced to sit at the back of the plane.
Due to the delay, she missed her connecting flight.
Delta Airlines follows a set of rules when removing a passenger from a plane.
Delta stated on its website it reserves the right to remove passengers if their conduct, clothing, or hygiene creates an unreasonable risk of offense or irritation for other passengers.
Banks said to KNTV that Delta contacted her on Friday in order “to make things right”. Delta has yet to comment on the resolution.