A man from New Jersey said he was kicked out of a flight to Tampa, Florida, where the Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, because he wore a mask that United Airlines deemed non-compliant.
In an interview with local NBC affiliate WNBC, Robert Joseph said he bought a $ 85 facial cover that looked like a gas mask. This mask contained a face shield and a breathing filter. He was scheduled to fly from Newark, New Jersey, to Tampa as part of his job, performing security duties at the Super Bowl LV.
“Going to the airport, I felt safe wearing [the mask], like my own little bubble around my face to keep it protected, “he explained.
According to Joseph, when he boarded his flight, he received a different mask because the one he brought was against company policy. After an exchange, Joseph said he chose to put on another mask and carry the other, but was then instructed to leave. He said he did nothing wrong.
“At that point, they turned to me and said that it is not allowed on the plane, if you are not satisfied with our policies, you can leave,” Joseph told WNBC. “I said no, I’m fine, I’m going to sit down, you don’t need to hear about me anymore. At that time they said no, we told you to leave, get out of here. It got out of control.”
After he was taken off his original flight, Joseph said he would have to wait for his next plane for several hours.
United declined to comment when Newsweek contact the airline, but in a statement to WNBC, the company said that the mask Joseph brought with him was not allowed because “it could create certain impediments in emergency scenarios, such as preventing clear communication between customers and members of the crew. “
Joseph said his wife’s cousin’s husband died of the coronavirus, a situation he described as a “warning” for people to take the pandemic seriously. He added that his experience led him to consider returning home on another airline.
Incidents with passengers who refused to wear a mask on flights have been a problem for airlines since the beginning of the pandemic. Earlier this week, the TSA announced that it would comply with President Joe Biden’s executive order that masks should be used at airports and also in transportation systems. TSA also added that facial coverage is mandatory at airport security checkpoints from February 2 through May 11. Those who violate the security guideline will be fined from $ 250 and then $ 1,500 for recidivism.
In a press release, Darby LaJoye, senior officer who serves as TSA Administrator, said: “TSA will fully comply with the President’s Executive Orders, CDC guidance and DHS National Emergency determination to ensure healthy travel And safe in all transport sectors. This will help prevent further spread of COVID-19 and encourage a unified government response. As we continue to suffer the impacts of this pandemic, we are committed to this measure as the right thing to do to the TSA workforce, for our industry stakeholders and for passengers. “
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